Keena Kincaid wears fuzzy slippers all day

We have the pleasure of welcoming Keena Kincaid to the Pink Fuzzies today.

Good morning. I’m thrilled to be here at the Pink Fuzzy Slippers blog, and am wearing my fuzzy slippers all day in honor of my visit. I like a two-way conversation, so after I answer Melba Moon’s questions, I’m going to turn the tables and ask y’all some questions of my own.

1: How do you come up with your ideas?
Most of the time, the ideas come to me as a vivid dream that refuses to fade upon waking. As soon as I write the scene down, it seems to grow and stretch until it becomes a full story. Once in a while, the characters simply take me hostage and refuse to let me go until I finish writing their story. After weeks without sleep, take-out food and someone standing over my shoulder telling me what to say (pretending he’s a muse not a kidnapper) I usually find I’ve written something unexpected but pretty darn good.

2: On average, how long does it take to write your books?
In the past, it’s taken about 18 months to finish a full-length historical, but I’m not working at the day job presently, and I’ve noticed the time has shortened considerably. LOL!
SOMETHING MORE, which is my first contemporary story (ever) is a novella and it took a little over two months to complete.

I should say, though, that Nick and Nora from SOMETHING MORE were two characters who pretty much kidnapped me, and then argued in front of me about who was going to get the opening line in their story. Neither listened to my protests that I write historicals. I wrote to get them to hush and discovered I like writing contemporaries. And I was thrilled when the story was accepted as part of the Class of ‘85 series.

3: How do you cope with rejection?
My rejection recovery regime:
· Long walk
· Full glass of wine (scotch if I'm really taking it hard)
· Chat with friends, who assure me of my brilliance
· Bubble bath
· Go back to work on the current WIP the next morning

4. What themes go through your books?
My theme, which runs through all my works whether contemporary or historical, is free will vs. fate. Does what we are determine what we will become? This plays out in choice and consequences. My characters make all the wrong choices and find themselves on the divide between gain and loss, happiness and heartbreak, with no easy way out.

5. What’s next for you?
I’m working on a second novella that features Andy Morgan, from SOMETHING MORE. Andy is a pretty easy-going guy despite a protective streak that runs deep into his bones. Trouble is, Jane Grey doesn’t believe she needs his protection even though it appears her past is about to catch up with her—with deadly consequences.

I'm also working on an historical story that I've dubbed the Yorkshire Gothic. It's not set in Yorkshire, but it's becoming more Gothic with each word. My hero lives under a curse and has vowed never to sire children, who would carry the curse into the next generation. When he must marry to protect his friend’s sister to keep her lands from falling to the enemy, he realizes he wants a full life. However, when he begins searching for a way to undo the curse, he uncovers a family secret that could strip him of everything—status, land and most of all, Matilda.

Now, some questions for you:
1. What is your rejection recovery regime?
2. If you could bring just one of your characters to life for the day, what is the first thing you’d show him/her?
3. If your character took you to his/her world. What would you miss most?