Author Kathy Bryson Shares Their Story
Kathy Bryson knew she wanted to be a writer when she finished reading through her elementary school and local children’s libraries. She spent 20 years honing her skills on marketing brochures, websites, and several unfinished manuscripts before going into teaching and finishing award-winning books with all the stuff she enjoys most – from coffee to love to Shakespeare! Kathy lives in Florida where she caters to spoiled cats and wonders what possessed her to put in 75 feet of flower beds.
About the Author
Kathy Bryson knew she wanted to be a writer when she finished reading through her elementary school and local children’s libraries. She spent 20 years honing her skills on marketing brochures, websites, and several unfinished manuscripts before going into teaching and finishing award-winning books with all the stuff she enjoys most – from coffee to love to Shakespeare! Kathy lives in Florida where she caters to spoiled cats and wonders what possessed her to put in 75 feet of flower beds.
What inspires you to write romance books?
I love the idea of two people coming together and finding that connection that makes them better, happier, and more than they were to begin with. I love when they have to overcome some adversity to achieve that understanding, the adventure of discovering each other, whether they’re confronting aliens or tax returns. It’s a wonderful thrill to be able to relive that moment again and share it with others so they can enjoy and benefit as well.
Tell us about how you write:
I’m a weekend warrior, pushing for time away from school and everyday life. When I get a chance during work hours, I tend to jot notes and outline, but I compile the most prose in long weekend stints. I outline using Excel spreadsheets to keep track of who’s where and who said or did what pivotal thing. I usually have a pretty good idea of the person I’m writing about when I start with a key scene or action, but it’s always interesting to see how the character evolves as he or she progresses through the story.
What advice would you give other writers?
Just stick with it and pay attention to feedback. It won’t always be explicit. I’ve gotten advice that was completely cut by final publication because I didn’t recognize the different between somebody talking out loud and genuine confusion. But I’ve also had the experience of hearing back from an editor and realizing that I left out a key detail or event. You learn as you go, so keep going!
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I waited on an agent for a year and a half before realizing that my work didn’t quite grab them. That was discouraging after hoping for big things, but since I got 2 small press offers immediately after, I recovered. I’ve really enjoyed working with an editor and feel I’ve learned a great deal, but I do want to try self-publishing now that I’m more familiar with what all is involved. Either way, you end up doing most of your own marketing, so start reading up on social media.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
A lot of people would say Amazon, but there’s constant flux in the market. You have to continually observe and try new things. There’s multiple channels for ebooks that address different markets so you have to find the mix that works for you. My understanding is that shorter, easier to read on a cell phone is a growing demand, so serialization and novellas are becoming popular. At the same time, there’s still a large demand and affection for a book you can hold in your hands. It’s an intriguing experiment!
What genres do you write:: Romance, Fantasy
What formats are your books in: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Author Home Page Link
Link To Author Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7163426.Kathy_Bryson
https://www.facebook.com/kathybryson22
https://twitter.com/kathybryson2
