Blog Tour: ALL THE DIFFERENCE by Kaira Rouda: Q&A

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Q&A

Q.  What inspires your writing?

A.  My writing is inspired by my life. It’s sort of that simple – and then again, not. My life isn’t exotic. It’s not a fantasy. I’m pretty much a Midwestern girl with big dreams, a big family and a big imagination. I love that writing allows me to express the creative side, my passion, that has been with me since I can remember. I sometimes wish I could answer this question with a more idealistic, world-serving answer, because I truly believe in giving back and helping others. For me, if one word, one phrase, resonates with a reader and helps her, that’s inspiring.

Q.  What is your favorite thing about being an author?

A.  That people think you’re kind of wacky. And we are. Well, I am. And you know what, I feel so blessed that finally – after many moons of doing a lot of hard work in marketing and elsewhere – that I am finally allowing myself to pursue the career of my dreams. And I am blessed that others believe in that dream, too, by reading my novels. I’m so thankful!

Q.  What is the toughest part of being an author?

A.  All of the self-doubt. It’s rampant in all the creative careers, I think, but truly, right now, on the eve of my new novel’s launch, I’m a nervous wreck. I know the one star reviewers will come…and I’m trying to learn how to accept them. And, trying to learn how to better celebrate the five star reviews. It’s a career field bolstered by puff, erudite tradition, and the ever-lurking bestseller’s lists. Like most other professions, there is no end game, if you play the game. The key to being a novelist in today’s environment is to partner with the people you trust, trust your voice and your craft and move forward the best you can. Believing in yourSELF is the toughest part of being an author, I think.

Q.  If you could not be author, what would you do/be?

A. I’ve been many things. I’m not going to allow myself to be distracted by them again, although they were all a learning experience. Of course, my most important job is mom – and that comes first – even when they’re all teens.

Q.  What would the story of your life be entitled?

A.  Be real. Be you. Enjoy.

Q.  What is your favorite book of all time?

A.  The Great Gatsby

Q.  Which character from ANY book are you most like?

A.  I’ve related and learned from so many characters in so many books over my life. I cannot even begin to choose.

Q.  What character from all of your book(s) are you most like?

A. The one you like the most :)

  

Q.  What is your favorite season?

A.  Summer.

Q.  Tell me something funny that happened while on a book tour or while promoting your book(s).

A. One of my favorite times was at a book signing on Nantucket. I had never been to the island, and the bookstore set up a table outside along the sidewalk and I sat out there, enjoying the summer day with a backdrop of flower boxes and historic beauty. I couldn’t have been happier. What a setting to talk about books.

A picture of the signing in Nantucket

Q.  Are you working on something new?

A.  Yes! My next novel! Hopefully, IN THE MIRROR, will be out this time next year…or sooner!

Q.  Anything you want to say to followers of this blog or those that are just stopping by?

A.  I’d love for you to visit my Facebook fan page – Kaira Rouda Books – and to follow me on Twitter. I’ll be having contests to celebrate the release of ALL THE DIFFERENCE, and I’ll post them there, and on my website, www.kairarouda.com

Thank you so much for having me here!

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To read my review of ALL THE DIFFERENCE click HERE

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BUY THE BOOKS:  click on the book for more info