Kim Sheard

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Kim Sheard left corporate life in 2008 and now spends half her work day walking dogs and the other half writing. Her reading tastes are very eclectic, and she has a special fondness for mixed genre books like romantic suspense and chick-lit mysteries. She is currently in the midst of writing her second paranormal romance novel (yes, another mixed genre).

Kim lives in a suburb of Washington, D.C. with her husband Henry and their dog Freckles. In addition to writing, she enjoys making music by singing and playing handbells, flute, and occasional percussion.

CONTACT: [email protected]

URL: www.kimsheardauthor.com

 

Q: What made you start writing?

A: As a child, I loved to compose stories and learned to make my own storybooks, binding them with cardboard, paper bags, and tape. I also wrote family newsletters whenever the mood struck. In the late 90s, inspired by the Star Trek Voyager television show, I began to write fan fiction, sharing it on the internet. When I heard about the Strange New Worlds contest where unpublished writers could submit Star Trek stories for publication, I decided to enter. To my surprise, I won a spot in the book, and my "pro" writing career had begun.


Q: How did you get from writing Star Trek fiction to writing romance novels?

A: Hmm. I think I was fond enough of science fiction to write short stories, but by the time I was ready to write novels, I'd discovered I wasn't fond enough to write long SF. Not every book I read is a romance, but I appreciate romantic elements in everything I read. So romance it was.


Q: Are you a plotter or a pantser?

A: Strangely enough, this anal-retentive organizer is a pantser. I generally have an idea of the beginning and end of a story, but don't plan the middle. Normally, I have an "aha" moment sometime during the process that makes the end meet the beginning.


Q: What inspired The Show Must Go On?

A: My own experiences acting, dancing, and singing in community theater musicals. I first performed in the show Babes in Toyland when I was eight, playing a doll. Bitten by the show business bug, I have performed in community theater shows off and on ever since.


Q: How did you come up with the character of Allyson?

A: Allyson shares many of my experiences and pieces of my personality, though she is a more talented singer than I am!  Like Allyson, my family moved a lot when I was growing up, and I suffered from shyness, too. I am better nowusually.


Q: What do you think of writer's groups?

A: I have had terrific luck with mine, so I believe they can be very helpful. When putting together or joining a group, however, I suggest that all members be at approximately the same level in their careers (i.e., pre-published, several short stories published, a novel sold), and have similar writing interests. Horror writers may not know exactly how to critique a romance, for instance. The writers in my group have also become good friends, which is nice, but not a requirement.


Q: Who is your biggest fan?

A: I would have to say my mother. I believe she's the only person who has read all of my published works. Not that I don't have supportive friends and other family members. It's just that my mother's willing to follow me in all the weird writing directions I go.


Q: What's your romantic story?

A: I met my husband in a bar. Not as tawdry as it sounds. We were introduced by a mutual friend at a happy hour. In part because we shared the trait of bashfulness and in part because he was just about the only human being who didn't think I was nuts for raising a new puppy in an apartment, we clicked. That two shy people could talk for hours on the telephone with no lapses into silence meant a great beginning. We married in 1994 and have raised two additional puppies together.

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