Interview with Kennedy Ryan
This interview with Kennedy Ryan may contain affiliate/referral links. It is a way for this site to earn advertising fees by advertising or linking to certain products and/or services.
Who doesn’t love RITA winning author, Kennedy Ryan? I think you will really enjoy this exclusive interview with her!
What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t wearing your author hat?
Outside of reading, probably spending time with my family, my son and husband. And working with my autism foundation. Helping families with autism is probably one of the most rewarding things I’ll ever do!
What is the most recent book to make you cry?
Nothing On Earth & Nothing In Heaven by Susan Fanetti. It is a period love story placed right before the turn of the century. It’s about a British suffragist who endures so much pursuing rights for women. The man by her side is incredible, and they inspired me so much as partners.
What would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal? Why?
Can Beyonce be a mascot? LOL! She embodies everything I believe about work ethic, creativity and also leveraging your art to SPEAK on issues that need more voices. As an artist and business woman, she is incredibly inspiring. Duh. LOL!
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
I actually really like writing male POV. The thing I specifically have to be careful of is that my writing style tends to be more lyrical and is heavily influenced by poetry. I don’t want to soften my male characters too much, in general, and need to keep the “guy” in it. It helps that a lot of my books feature heroes who are artists, writers, poets, musicians, and sometimes naturally speak and think in more lyrical patterns. I’m writing a basketball player now, though, and I want him to have that athlete’s sensibility, junk talking on the floor, but still be swoony. 😉
How do you select the names of your characters?
I don’t have a real science to it. Sometimes it’s connected to their ethnicity, for example I have an Asian heroine, and her name reflects that. My current heroine is Creole and from Louisiana. Her name, Iris, was inspired by the Louisiana Iris.
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
I don’t hide secrets necessarily, but there are occasionally little tidbits from other books of mine that may pop in new stories. Only those who have read them would catch those details, but it wouldn’t detract for those who have not!
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
It depends. Usually…about three months. With the book I’m writing now, LONG SHOT, I conducted extensive interviews for weeks before I started writing. It depends on how much research I need to do to feel immersed in that world and prepared to talk about it intelligibly.
What does Black History Month Mean to you?
It’s really just a time to highlight the extraordinary contribution of Black people in this country. When you place our contributions in context; what we accomplished being considered 3/5 of a human, legally kept from learning to read, oppressed systemically for literally hundreds of years, you realize that the collective conscience and spirit of this people is amazing. We need more than one month to truly celebrate all that we’ve contributed. LOL! It’s for us, but it’s also for others to see and recognize that this country would not be what is it without our innovation contributions.
What are you currently reading?
I’m reading The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare. Historical romance is my favorite subgenre, and the only thing I can read consistently while I’m writing.
If you could go back and give your younger self advice, what would it be?
Don’t allow other people’s opinions or expectations to dictate how you live your life and the path you take. And to spend time really understanding who you are and how you’re made. Having clarity on my personality and what motivates and energizes me really informs how I make decisions. I wish I’d grasped it better years ago.
Do you have any tips or hacks that help you stay organized in life, writing or social media?Since I’m not terribly organized, I’m probably not the one to ask! LOL! I do a lot of things and I get a lot done, but I’m not sure how efficient or organized I am while I do it. My one this is LISTS! I use them a lot to help keep me on track.
Do you relate more to one of your characters than the others?
I think I’m most like Jo from BE MINE FOREVER, book 3 in my Bennett series. She’s very driven and ambitious, but runs a non-profit organization. Her heart is so invested in the children her organization serves. I run a foundation for families living with autism. My own son is on the severe end of the Autism spectrum, and it’s something I’m committed to and involved in. She has to be tough a lot, but pours her life into helping others. I want to be like that. I want to live considering others and making sure I’m living as generously as I can.
How much did you love this interview with Kennedy Ryan?? Share on social media so your friends get to meet her as well!!
One Comment