Kim Sheard
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Author's Bio
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: KimSheard@aol.com
Author's Profile
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 When I heard about the Strange New Worlds contest where unpublished writers could submit Star Trek stories for publication, I decided to enter.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.
Past 14 days
