September 24, 2006

E-MAIL INTERVIEW OF KATE RIZOR
AUTHOR OF THE GOVERNOR'S WIFE
BY KAREN MacLEOD
SIME~GEN REVIEWS

Care to tell me a little about your book, THE GOVERNOR'S WIFE? (Include the publisher and URL for ordering information)

Publisher: Stargazer Press
Website: http://www.stargazerpress.com
Author's website: http://www.katerizor.com


Is this your first book? If not, tell us briefly of your other works.

This is my first published book.

Give us a little taste of something that will make someone who reads our interview want to search out your work. A short teaser would work... a few sentences of plot, to make us want to pick up the review, and then the book.


What if you couldn't remember your husband or the life you shared with him? And what if you were suddenly thrust back into that life ten years later?

Andie, as she's known on the streets, remembers nothing of life before the accident that claimed her memory. Homeless, with no ID, she manages to survive despite the hazards around every corner -- until a chance encounter with the police thrusts her back into her former life.

Is writing your career, or do you have another occupation that presently pays expenses? Tell us a little about Ms. Rizor, the person.

I currently work as a Client Development Manager with a parking consulting firm. I'm a former newspaper reporter, copywriter and trainer. I am currently at work on my second novel and conduct fiction seminars and workshops in my spare time.

How does who you are influence your writing? i.e. your favorite things, et cetera?

I enjoy writing about things I feel strongly about. For example, as a newspaper reporter, I covered a story that affected me to this day. When I was 21 and working at the Kalamazoo Gazette, a member of the community called the newsroom one afternoon, asking me to cover a local fundraiser she was hosting for a young man suffering from a rare form of cancer who turned out to be someone I graduated with from high school. I agreed and reported on how the community was trying to raise funds to send him for experimental treatment. I reported on his story for four months but it was too late by the time the money was raised. His death made me realize that life is too short and that people shouldn't give up on their dreams. This theme is especially used in the story I'm writing now.

What inspired you to become an author?

I can't think of anything that really inspired me to be an author. I always wanted to be one, even as a little girl. I was writing stories at 12.

Anything you find difficult to accomplish in crafting your work?

I find it difficult finding the time to write. I do work a full-time job and am busy marketing my first book, writing my second one and conducting seminars and workshops in my spare time. I do try to write at least an hour a day but lately it's been more difficult trying to find even that.

Do you have any goals in life you have yet to meet? If so, would you like to elaborate some on them?

I would like to someday have more time to write and hopefully be able to write full-time.

When you can find time for your writing, do you follow any specific routine?

I try to write five days a week. I get up early every morning so I can get at least an hour in each day before I have to go to my full-time job. It's tough sometimes but I find that if I don't stick to a strict schedule, the words don't come as easy when I do return to the computer.

What's your opinion on the direction of the publishing industry, especially the influence of e-publishing?

I don't think e-publishing will ever overtake traditional print. I think people want a book they can curl up with or take places. You can't do that with e-books.

Of your characters in THE GOVERNOR'S WIFE, which is your favorite?

I'd have to say Andie.

What makes her your favorite character?

That she was a strong, independent woman with a little bit of feistiness in her.

Do you believe its possible for authors to write characters opposite their own gender, successfully?

Definitely, otherwise it's not authentic.

How do you control your characters? I know of several authors who are driven to write 'what their characters tell them.'

As a writer, you have to know everything about your character. Their past, their goals and dreams, fears and motivation, what made them like they are today. You have to know your characters as well as you know your spouse, parents, siblings or children. A lot of the time, you don't know your characters nearly as well as you think you do. To solve this, it helps to create character profile sheets, which asks targeted questions about each character.

What do you suppose is your greatest strength as a writer? Character development? Place? Something else?

Maybe my perseverance. It took me eight years, on and off, to get The Governor's Wife published.

Who were/are your major influences that guided you to become an author?

I would have to say my creative writing teacher in high school. She really urged me to pursue it.

Answer this one in any way you wish.... What advice do you have for potential authors?

To definitely stick to it and set a writing schedule. Just like anything, the more you do it, the better you get at it.

Where do you see yourself going in the future with your writing?

I would like to someday be able to write full-time.

Do you have further adventures of Tanner, Andie, Jared, Elizabeth and Ron planned? Tell us a little about them if you do.

No sequels planned for these characters.

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