Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
Exclusive Interview with
Kathy-Lynn Cross
When did you start writing?
I wasn’t always a writer. In 2008, when my niece was hospitalized, I decided to do something special and wrote a short tale for her to read. After consuming it in a single day, my niece and some of the nurses in the pediatrics wing asked, “What’s next?” It was a turning point in my life, opening a new chapter.
What makes writing your passion?
I write under the pseudonym Kathy-Lynn Cross. Kathy, in honor of my mother-in-law, Lynn, in honor of my mom, and Cross, because it was going to take prayer to be published. It was my therapy, and I ended up reconnecting with my family after our loss. Both my mom and my mother-in-law are the driving force behind my fingers flying, and a lot of prayer keeps me moving forward.
How long have you been writing?
Technically, I wrote a short story for my niece in 2008. I had a story idea, but it wasn't until after my mom passed, right after my mother-in-law, that it was just too much, and I retreated into my head. That was in April of 2011. My first short story was accepted in mid-June 2015, and my first novel was published two weeks later, at the end of June 2015.
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
It was surreal. Even after I held the physical, it still didn't seem real.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
My first novel, and the driving force behind my fingers, was sparked by the passing of my family members. I kept thinking, if you could strike a deal or bargain for someone's soul, how would that be done? Could a deal be made with a reaper? That is how the story started, and the characters were formed.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
The price to promote and the reach feels restricted. I'm sharing my links into the void.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
I play Minecraft. Zone out for a bit. Bounce ideas off my husband and daughter.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
Notes. Keep taking notes and jotting down your ideas. I keep notebooks everywhere in the house, in my car, and in my purse. I never know when an idea will hit me or if one of my characters will start talking. (I know it sounds crazy, but I'm really a transcriptionist for my characters. It seems like I work for them sometimes.)lol
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Start writing now. Take classes. Pay more attention in computer class and stop working on your nails. (Can you hear me shouting, cause I am?)
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
Yes. Even the bad ones. I try to learn from both sides of the spectrum. You have to take the good and the bad; not everything I come up with is going to be good. However, if I continue working on it and learn from my failures, it might help some of my stories shine. An author also told me to make something ugly into something beautiful, so I make origami out of my rejection letters.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
It is a boost, but I try to focus on the parts they are drawn to with the writing, or the characters they have connected with. I take notes to help the story or characters grow from the positive feedback.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Always. Emotions, fears, likes, experiences —everything. There is something of me throughout all of my stories.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
Not really. Most have little quirks of my emotions or character. The good and the really bad. But none of them are completely based on me.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
Yes. The book cover is the eye candy of the story. Have a great cover, and people will gravitate to it, at least checking out the blurb. That is a win-win for me and might be enough for that person to remember the premise of the story and decide to visit that world. I believe stories are a brain vacation when you can't afford to actually go somewhere.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I didn't at first. I'm a 100% introvert. I like my little corner of the world. At first, I had no idea how the book world was, and with technology advancing, more publishers wanted their authors to make those human connections. So, I guess you could say, I was extracted from my little corner of the world, but I totally enjoy interacting with people who inquire about my work, have read a story or two, or need advice. I'm blown away when they ask me questions and want to hear my opinions.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
I've had a few book signings, but no one has approached me in public, so I'm unable to answer that. But the ones who have expressed their appreciation for the stories, or a character, makes me happy.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
Oh-my-goshness! Kim Harrison, hands down. Her world-building is a work of art in words. The Hollows Series is the best, and I'm a bit obsessed with that one. Read all of those books multiple times. I have most of them in hardback, but book four, which is selling for hundreds on eBay. But I also have them in paperback and eBook. I was a Twilight nut for a bit and thought, with her writing style, if she could do it, why not me? And that's what started my journey.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
Honestly, if my work is recognized by people who genuinely enjoy it, I'm happy. I'm not striving to become huge; that comes with who you know or who publishes the work. As a self-published author, it's hard to achieve that kind of reach.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
Yes, and I have. The Unseen Series, which I started with a publisher, but then got my rights back, reworked certain areas, and cleaned up a lot of loose ends. My latest work was a collection of short stories, and with my editor, we went in and cleaned up a lot of those stories and added a few new scenes.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
Honestly, I've never thought of this, but I wouldn't. Everyone's imagination is their own, and the stories and characters they create are unique to them.
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
Thank you for teaching me patience.
What would you say to your readers?
Thank you for giving my story or stories a chance to be a part of your life. Hopefully, the characters can create a happy moment in time for you.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I'll drop my bio here:
I write under the pseudonym Kathy-Lynn Cross. Kathy, in honor of my mother-in-law, Lynn, in honor of my mom, and Cross, because it was going to take prayer to be published. Paranormal is my hub, but I link in subgenres through my Storyweaving. (i.e., HUB: paranormal - SUB: thriller, horror, romance, etc.)
I was born in Pomona, California, and lived there for twelve years before my mother moved our family to Las Vegas, Nevada. The city has a hold on me, and it's where I've resided to this day.
My writing began with the Unseen Series. It was inspired by the passing of my mom and mother-in-law. My fingers took flight over the keyboard in 2011, and I have enjoyed creating escapes for readers ever since.
Now I am a 24/7 caregiver for my dad, and that takes up a lot of my time—that is, when my fingers are not busy writing mayhem. Some of my favorite moments are spent on rainy days, when I can sit in my PJs, wrapped up in a fuzzy blanket, with a cup of vanilla coffee, a cat on my lap, and a good book. I also love spending time with my hubby, of thirty years.
What is your day job if you have one?
I am a 24/7 caregiver for my dad. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and dementia in 2022. My husband and I have an eBay store, and I write when I can.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
More like a pastime than a hobby: I like watching YT videos with my husband, like Top5s, and real crime shows. But when I'm by myself, I enjoy making music playlists for characters. It comes in handy when I'm ready to write their part of a story. I also create all of my story swag and merchandise. I created a webstore with my daughter, KLCross Story Merch and More. You can find the links on my website.
Did you have a happy childhood?
Yes.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
In 2008, when my niece was hospitalized, I decided to do something special and wrote a short tale for her to read. After consuming it in a single day, my niece and some of the nurses in the pediatrics wing asked, “What’s next?” It was a turning point in my life, opening a new chapter.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
I have some works and ideas in progress. The Unseen Series will have six books, but since I took a five-year pause, the series is lacking, and I might cut it down to four. Books one and two are published, but my characters are holding the third hostage, since their voices have been dormant for years.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
Considering that both of my children are grown, I would say that Life Classes and less technology are contributing to shorter attention spans. If the power goes out, most of the human race won't be able to remember basic life skills, balance a checking account, write in print and cursive, tell time from an analog clock, recall phone numbers, change a flat tire, or change the oil. Most things we take for granted should be at the forefront of our knowledge.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
I wish my mom and mother-in-law were still here.
I wish I could have seen Robin Williams perform live.
I wished that I had finished the Unseen Series by now.
What is your favorite music?
Contemporary and hard rock. I also enjoy listening to classical violin and piano music.
Share a secret with us 🙂
I have a crazy fear of fuel trucks. The ones that refuel gas stations. I try to avoid them when driving, and if they are at a gas station, I will drive on fumes to make it to a different one if I need fuel.
In the book, So Shall I Reap: Book One of the Unseen Series, I actually used my fear to create a death scene for some of the characters.