Why, hello there!
What a surprise to see you here on a Monday. You'd think you were expecting an interview with another great author.
Well, I'm glad not to disappoint you!
I have KD Lumsden with me now. Kate?
Hello. I am KD Lumsden.
When did you write your first book and how old were you?
I was 22 when I started writing my first book, 26 when I finished it. It stared out as a reoccurring dream that I journaled, and ended up being over 700,000 words that I broke into 3 books. I’m currently rewriting it (in my mind).
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I wanted to be an Architect at the age of 6, started drawing houses around that age, by the time I was 12, I wanted to be a horse trainer.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Ride horses, daydream (a lot), garden, play Legos with my child (aka world building), and listen to my husband play music.
What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
When Robert Jordan’s Eye of the World came out, I bought every book in the series and still have the world map. I did the same with Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth series. I did lots of binge reading when I was younger and without much responsibility (I miss those times).
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I have written 12 books over 26 years, but only one is published. Secrets of Urthis came out June 12, 2022! It’s the first of a 4-book series, and I still haven’t come up with a name for the series (A Metalist’s Story. Maybe?). The third book, Sleeper Assassin, was the most fun to write, there is a lot of action and suspense.
How many unpublished and half-finished books to you have?
There are 11 unpublished books (2 different series & 1 standalone), and about 2-3 short stories I started writing. I’ve told myself they need to be short, but then I find reasons to make them longer. I don’t have a problem finishing things, but writing small/short pieces of work isn’t easy. I like long stories.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
I am self-employed, so when I have a moment, I am writing (well, lately I have been working on marketing strategies). I own a horse farm, and am an Architect, and have a child and husband, and so many animals …. When I’m not busy with everything else I try to write!
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
I get energized when I think about writing, the action of it keeps me going too (sometimes I don’t want to stop). It’s life that exhausts me, makes me wish I could just write all day and forget all my other daily chores.
What does your family think of your writing?
My son is amazed by it all, wants to help me market and has—to some extent. My husband was the one who dared me to find an editor New Year’s Eve 2017 (it was a New Year’s Resolution type deal). Being a closeted writer for over 20 years, he didn’t want me to become an Emily Dickenson; told me he believed in me! There are days when both of them don’t want me to sit around and write. It’s not easy to balance family life and a writer’s life.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Most of my readers are people I know (in-laws & friends) who have supported me ever since they found out that I write (I came out of my writers-closet to my family Christmas 2016). Every time I questioned whether I should keep going forward (looking for an editor, agent, or publishing house), they said yes, told me they wanted to see my book in print. They also were eager to reread things I had slaughtered in rewrites, and always gave great feedback!
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Believing your first draft is amazing, trust me it’s not. Sometimes the first 5 drafts are horrible, but keep on editing. As my editor has said many times “you have to kill your darlings” also “teacups it’s all about teacups, pouring in, pouring out”. I have always written for myself; some people believe they will have a giant following when writing/publishing their book and then they’re disappointed when things fall through. Write for yourself, no one else should matter but you!
Do you have any suggestions to help someone become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Read whatever you want, it doesn’t have to be the in the genre you write in. Good writing knows no bounds. Take a marketing class to understand the marketing/internet/social media strategies used today. Have at least one cheerleader to keep you going, when you’re out there trying to find an agent, or publishing house you need help and reassurances.
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
An Editor! They are worth their weight in gold and if you find a good one, as I have, and they can be your cheerleader too. Yes, they are expensive but if they are willing to work out a payment plan with you do it! I paid my editor for almost 2 years doing $200-300 (paying what I could) monthly payments. She understood what it’s like to be an aspiring yet poor writer.
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
In every book there is an equine, whether it be a donkey, or horse (their personalities are usually based on my own horses). I have grown up around horses, and can’t envision my life without them.
What do you have coming next?
Book 2, of course. Elements of Power. It should be out by Christmas 2022
Social Media Links:
Twitter: @KDLumsdenAuthor
No website as of yet. Still trying to figure things out!
Link to book:
And now an excerpt!
Samuel Irwin Miner grew up on a lonely mountain top, his small and ordinary life ruled by his father and grandfather. They mistreat the boy who has special talents and certain feminine ways. Now the nineteen-year-old has seen his father do the unspeakable, and now he has been left bloodied and alone to die deep in the forest by that same man. Irwin pulls himself out of the mud and escapes. From that day on, Irwin will never be the same. He sets off to explore the planet of Urthis where he slowly realizes his Ferro-kinetic powers help him to do more than mint coins, they heal him from death knells and keep those around him grounded. He must learn to survive the wrath of frightening specters that live in the shadows and darkness, avoid creatures who harness the elements, and fight beings who can shapeshift into anything. Only after meeting a beautiful telepath and a ruggedly handsome shapeshifter does Irwin begin to uncover the secrets of Urthis.
