Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
For as long as I can remember, reading has been my favorite hobby. I always carried a book with me wherever I went. As I went through school, I often dreamed of being an author, writing my own stories, and seeing my name on the spines of books I saw in the library and bookstores. But, I felt I lacked the experience of being a brilliant author, so I put my dream aside, went to college, and started a career. But I never forgot my dream. I’d wake up early and write, then write in the evenings and on the weekends. I finally wrote and published my first book in my favorite genre. While I got a few sales, the buyers were mostly family and friends, then silence. I struggled to write the second book, published it, and saw my dream die as book sales trickled in and dried up.
As my hopes of becoming a successful author crashed and burned, so did my career. The sale of our company led to a round of layoffs. After twenty-some years as a software development manager, I was suddenly unemployed. I was lucky enough to have a nice severance package, but I knew I’d have a difficult time finding another job. I was looking at fifty and the thought of going to work at another stressful and unfulfilling job had me reluctant to search. So instead, I turned to email marketing and found a small amount of success, but I never forgot my dream.
Determined to achieve my goal of being a published author, I did some research. I knew romance was a popular genre. I’d never read romance novels, preferring mysteries, but I plunged in and read books from several sub-genres before discovering romantic suspense. Not only did the stories grab me and pull me into their world, but especially the books highlighting motorcycle clubs. The ideas started flowing. I had found my inspiration! Which was ironic because of my past.
In high school, someone I cared about slammed into a telephone pole while riding a motorcycle. He died on my birthday. From that point on, I hated motorcycles. I swore I would never date someone who rode one, or let my future kids ride them. I was very much anti-motorcycle, with no interest in changing my mind, ever. But reading books set within MC clubs changed everything. Seeing these men living their lives by their rules captivated me. I found kindred spirits in them. Men and women who want more out of life. Those who found freedom on a motorcycle and with the family they built. Their lifestyle piqued my interest and suddenly I had an entire club of members clamoring to be heard.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Dante’s Demons”?
Since I was new to the MC world, I had done quite a bit of research by reading several mc series, not that this was a hardship. All the time while writing Dante’s Demons, I worried about whether or not anyone would like my story. I’d written two other books in a completely different genre that didn’t do very well, and to be honest, I didn’t enjoy writing. I started doubting whether being a writer was something I could do well enough to make a living out of it. My biggest challenge, therefore, was fighting the age-old demon of self-doubt.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
K.L. Savage is a big one. The Ruthless Kings hooked me into the world. Other authors that I have to read include Cee Barrowman, Karen Renee, Lilly Atlas, Jeanne St. James, K E Osborne, Ciara St. James.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
San Francisco. I love the city. The architecture and the weather are unique. I love the history and the diversity.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Dante’s Demons’?
That’s a tough one. I never thought I’d write a novel based on an mc, but after reading several books in this genre, the idea of Dante took root and Tally was not far behind. I knew I wanted to try my hand at writing again, so I started jotting down ideas for possible members and plot ideas. It finally reached a point where I couldn’t not write about Dante.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Dante’s Demons’?
It took me a week to brainstorm ideas for the series. I knew I wanted to write more than one book, so I put effort into fleshing out plot ideas, characters, and settings (including the club house and the club’s various businesses.) I then took five weeks to create a detailed outline for Dante’s Demons. After that, it took me another four weeks to write the story.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
The books are only available on Amazon in paperback and ebook format, including kindle unlimited. I’m working on the audiobook.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Dante’s Demons’?
When I first started writing the book, the club had a different name. As I wrote the book, one part had me reconsidering the name of the club and wanting something that started with the same letter of the alphabet. That’s where Demon Dawgs came into being. This influenced the title because I decided then that each of my books would have the name of the club protagonist followed by one word that started with the same letter.
Getting the cover right was important to me. I wanted something that fit the genre. Something that told the reader immediately what type of book it was. I thought this was important because of my previous attempt at publishing. My other books had amazing, beautiful covers, but they didn’t fit the book genre. This time around I hired 100Covers and they’ve done all my books. They are amazing to work with and I highly recommend them to other authors.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I don’t like formulas. There are some authors that I’ve read who seem to have a pattern to their stories. I think some readers may find this comforting, but I don’t like being able to predict what’s going to happen next. I try to write my books so that they contain surprises and twists. Not saying I’m 100% successful, but I do try.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
Listen to the characters. While I always start with a broad outline for my books, I tend to find myself learning more about the characters as I tell their story. Often, I’ll be moving in a certain direction and then I’ll encounter writer’s block. For me, this happens when I’ve gone off on the wrong tangent. At this point, I have to take a step back and figure out what it is about the direction I’m going that doesn’t work. I look at the story from the characters’ point of view and this always leads to the right direction. For me, I know something is wrong when the story doesn’t flow easily onto the page.
K.L. Barstow on Amazon
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