~ Author of the Month - Kayla Perrin ~

You have written romance novels for the past few years.  Why THE THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALLISON JONES?

Actually, I wrote THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALLISON JONES years ago.  I started writing as a child, and naturally, was writing children's books.  I wrote THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALLISON JONES when I was an adult as I'd always hoped to sell children's/young adult fiction.  I really loved this book and had a lot of faith in it, but it made the rounds of all the publishers and was rejected by all.  It did, however, get great rejection letters.  I started to wonder if I'd ever get published writing children's books and decided to try something new.  I took a look at what I was reading (they say to write what you love to read) and I was reading romance and mysteries.  Realizing there was a big market for romance, I decided to pursue that genre.

Tell us a bit about the book?

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALLISON JONES is a story about misunderstandings and how they can go too far.  It's a mystery, borne out of my own love for mysteries as a child.  There was a house in my neighborhood everyone thought was haunted, and it got my creative mind working.  What if it was?  What happened there?  Sarah Williams, the heroine in my story, is just like me.  The house in her neighborhood known as Whistlethorn Manor is reported to be haunted (by all the kids) and she desperately wants to investigate it.  This leads to imaginations running wild.  Everyone at Red Creek School has long been suspicious of their nerdy classmate Tracy, who lives in Whistlethorn Manor with her ancient grandmother, whom the kids have declared "the witch of Whistlethorn Manor."  No one talks to her.  No one that is, except for Allison Jones, a new girl in town.  But when Allison fails to show up for school after last being seen going into Tracy's house, Sarah knows she must take action.  She, Karen, and their band of "Red Creek Truth Seekers" go into action solving their first REAL mystery--the disappearance of Allison Jones.

Do you have a full-time career outside of your writing?

No.  Not right now, anyway.  I do a lot of work in the film business, however, which allows me the time to write.  I can work long hours in film, make good money, then not work for a while if I need to be writing.  However, for the past 8 months, I've been strictly writing because I have several deadlines!

When you're not writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy reading whenever I get the chance.  I also love movies.  Behind my apartment is a beautiful lake with lots of wildlife, so I love to walk around the lake when I need a break or inspiration.

What is something about you that your readers would be surprised you do?

I'm not sure anything would surprise them, LOL.  I've heard that they can "see" a mischievous side to me in my "sweet" pictures, for example.  But, they might be surprised to know that I'm a homebody.  I spend a lot of time at home, but I do go out on occasion for a night of fun.

What should a reader expect from one of your books?

A reader should expect to be entertained.  In my romances, I like to deal with tough issues, so they should also expect to find happiness against all odds.  To me, that is the sweetest thing, and I firmly believe in it.  Life is tough, unfair, but I think we can all find happiness in love, despite our situations.

Which of your books is your favorite?  Did you most enjoy writing?

I'd have to say that SWEET HONESTY, my romantic suspense that came out in April 1999, is my favorite.  I truly fell in love with my hero, Derrick, while writing that book.  There's just something very special about him. He's completely real to me.  This book clearly reached readers as it was voted one of Romance Writers of America's Top Ten Favorite Books of 1999. 

And I'm even more pleased that BET Books is going to make it into a movie of the week!

If you If you could pick one of your books for a movie, which one would you choose, and whom would you cast in it?

It would be a toss up between SWEET HONESTY and EVERLASTING LOVE.  I think I'd choose EVERLASTING LOVE because that was my first romantic suspense--and according to readers, I kept them guessing!  You don't know who the villain is until the end.  I'd love to see that adapted for film.  For my hero, Malik Yoba immediately comes to mind for my hero, Javar.  For my heroine, Whitney -- hmmm -- well, since I'm also an actress, I'd love to play the part! (Who wouldn't want to play the lead along side Malik Yoba?)

How would you define the African American Romance?

It is a romance that features African Americans as the main players, but one that everyone can pick up and enjoy.  African American romances don't bash anyone over the head with culture.  It is uniquely woven into the story, of course, but not in any way as a lecture.  At their core, African American romances are love stories, plain and simple.  Anyone who loves a love story will enjoy these romances as well.

How did you get started writing your novels?

As I said earlier, I've practically been writing all my life.  I sent my first book to a publisher when I was 13 years old.  After getting rejected over and over with children's books, I finally decided to see what else I could write.  I realized I could write romance, as I loved to read it.

However, it wasn't until about 5 years later that I finally decided to get serious and finish a novel.  At that time, I joined Romance Writers of America, a local chapter in Toronto, and registered for the national conference.  I ended up meeting an editor from Genesis Press at that conference.  She bought my first book.

What process do you use in writing your novels?

I start my stories by coming up with a situation.  Ie, a woman running away in the middle of the night is a situation.  From there, I ask "Who is she, why is she running," etc.  I ask a lot of questions until I discover who the hero and heroine are, what they mean to each other, and the basic premise of the story.  From there, I jump ahead to figure out the ending and if the conflict I've come up with while brainstorming is strong enough.  Then, I go back and continue writing from where I left off in the beginning.

How long does it take you to complete a manuscript?

The fastest book I wrote was SWEET HONESTY.  I finished that in 4 weeks. However, I'd been creating the story in my head for at least 4 months.  I can do that--create a story in my head so that when I sit down to write, I can pretty much do it from beginning to end and know the story inside out.

What was your becoming a published writer journey like?

I sold the first romance novel I ever submitted, but that wasn't the first one I'd written.  Okay, it was the second.  Some people think I'm lucky, but I sent my first book to a publisher when I was 13.  I'm ambitious.  I never doubted I could be a published writer.  I wanted it badly enough and I was going to have it.  I've been blessed in that since that first sale, I've had several other sales quickly.  I'm prolific--as long as I sit down to write!

Is being a published writer what you thought it would be like?

Not really. It's more competitive than I thought it would be.  I didn't think I'd have to do so much promotion once I sold, but I don't mind.  I like to self promote.  As for the money, I thought for sure that would be better, but it will come in time. :-)

What do you feel has been your greatest accomplishment as a writer and why?

My greatest accomplishment has been writing for several houses and being able to juggle deadlines--and making them all!  Believe me, it has been stressful, especially with my separation from my husband a year ago at a time my career was moving full steam ahead.

Do you think an agent is necessary?

Absolutely.  Unless you're great at negotiation, an agent will always be able to get you a better contract than you could negotiate for yourself.  Let me correct that statement--a good agent.  You're better off agentless than to have a bad agent.

If you had known then what you know now, what would you have done differently in terms of your romance writing career?

I would have gotten more serious earlier!  Romance is a wonderful market, and if I had sold years ago, I may well have achieved one of my dreams of hitting a bestseller list already.  However, I'm definitely not complaining.  I don't mind seeing my career grow, like a plant that is constantly nurtured.  I think I'll appreciate "mega" success much more if I achieve it gradually as opposed to over night.

Any advice for those aspiring romance writers?

Never let one or two or three or one hundred rejections stop you from doing what you love!  I had people discourage me when starting out, telling me the market was too tough, too competitive.  I ignored all of those people because in my heart and soul, I knew I had stories to tell.  I'd be telling them now even if no one paid me to do so.  That is the mark of a true writer, in my opinion.  That's when you know you were born to write.  So don't you dare let anyone take the dream from you.

Do you like communicating with your readers?  In what forms.  And how can a reader contact you?

I love communicating with my readers!  The best way is via e-mail at:

kayla@kaylaperrin.com

Can you give us a peek at what we can expect from your next romance?

I'm really excited about my romance coming out in February 2001 from HarperCollins!  It's called IF YOU WANT ME and will be the launch title for their African American romance line.  It's a romance with a lot of mystery, and a story my readers won't want to miss!  I just love the cover, and they can check that out at:

http://www.romance-novels.com/kaylaperrin

But before my HarperCollins release, I have another BET romance coming, HOLIDAY OF LOVE out in December.  It's a romantic suspense surrounding the Kwanzaa holiday.  Here's a blurb:

With her career as an artist finally taking off, Collette Jenkins is happier than ever-until just weeks before the holidays when a letter that's been lost in the mail arrives. She's stunned to learn that the only family she ever knew is not her family at all. She heads back to Miami for answers, and meets her first love, Dexter Harris. Now, he wants to help her find her true family in time for Kwanzaa. But they soon realize someone doesn't want her to learn the truth and will stop at nothing to keep a secret buried...