Kristy Feltenberger Gillespie Author

Today I am happy to welcome Kristy Feltenberger Gillespie, Author of Jaded, a YA thriller, and Even in Death which is a collection of ten short stories. You should know that Kristy has dropped the price of both books to $.99.

Come on in Kristy and make yourself comfortable. You’ll have to excuse the animals running around but we just got a new foster Boxer and the rest of the clan are trying to make him feel as uncomfortable as possible so maybe he will go away. Pay no attention to them. I am so glad you stopped by Fiction Favorites.

Kristy Thanks, John! I have three dachshunds and two cats so I feel right at home!

John I imagine you have your hands full as well. So Kristy why don’t you tell us a little about yourself where you grew up, siblings, family life, education, and how you got to where you are now.

Kristy: I’m from Johnstown, PA and I bleed black and gold; Go Steelers!

John: Wait. I have to interrupt and let you know I’m a Steelers fan as well.

Kristy: No way. What a small world.

John: Yeah, my wife is from Mt Lebanon PA and I found it a good idea to adopt the Steelers.

Kristy: Patrick, my husband of 4 years, is a 49er fan so I bleed a little red and gold, too. Scott, my younger brother, lives in Pittsburgh but is a Vikings fan which makes absolutely no sense considering he’s never been to Minnesota. Even though, Northern Virginia has been my home for over ten years, I’m not a Redskins fan. I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in school counselling, and I’m working towards a School Library Media degree. I moved to Northern VA to attend grad school and can’t imagine a better place to live… although living near the ocean would ideal.

John: As you can see the Gulf is pretty nice too. How long have you been writing and who if anyone got you started?

Kristy: I’ve written for as long as I can remember. My mom has probably been my biggest influence because she has always encouraged creativity.

John: What is your genre? And would you like to write in another?

Kristy: I write young adult fiction, adult fiction/short stories, and poetry. I would love to write a film script one day.

John: I imagine a script would be pretty complex. So you must have a reason for writing other than putting words on paper. Why is it you write?

Kristy: I have so many ideas in my head that I have to write them down in order to make space!

John: What a great reason. Who would you say are your favorite or most influential authors and why?

Kristy: F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sylvia Plath because they are simply amazing.

John: I enjoyed both as well. What is your latest (published) book called and what is it about?

Kristy: Even In Death: A Short Story Collection – ten short stories that explore the thin line between love and hate; extreme emotions even death cannot destroy.

John: Sounds great. What was the inspiration for the story?

Kristy: Each story has been inspired by various things. For example, “A Flower Story,” (where flowers are delivered long after a person is alive to smell them) stemmed from a random conversation with a co-worker.

John: Was there anything about the collection that caused you worry?

Kristy: I was a little afraid that my short story collection would be “too dark” for most people, but that hasn’t been the consensus.

John: Sounds like it’s getting a good reception. Is your book going to be part of a series?

Kristy: Sort of; I plan on writing another short story collection with a similar theme.

John: I always have to ask about process. Are you a plotter (Work with a plan) or a pantster? (fly by the seat of your pants)

Kristy: Plotter for novels, pantster for short stories. Short stories are so much easier because I tend to write short and sweet.

John: I feel the same about short stories. It’s relaxing to a degree to write them. What are you working on right now?

Kristy: Hunted, the sequel to my YA Thriller, Jaded, and I’m also working on Blinded, the prequel.

John: Can you give your readers a blurb?

Kristy: Here’s the synopsis for Jaded: Jade has spent her entire life within the confines of the eye-color- obsessed Nirvana commune. She dreams of experiencing freedom, but travel to the Outside is forbidden. Besides, she’s a dutiful daughter who never breaks the rules. As her seventeenth birthday approaches, however, she realizes just how little she wants to follow the commune rules. She doesn’t want to undergo another eye color surgery, or immediately choose a life partner or follow her parents’ life paths of teaching or wine making. In fact, her green eyes suit her just fine, she’s never even been on a date, and she’s passionate about photography. And yet she’s resigned to do as she’s told because it’s easier for her to close her eyes and follow orders.
Her Grandmother Ruby’s murder is the catalyst that causes Jade to open her eyes wide for the first time in her life. She’s devastated yet determined to find the killer and their motive. With help from her mysterious friend Tyrian, and Peaches, the commune leader’s sweet daughter, Jade unearths dark secrets which include her mother’s illicit affair, her maternal grandparents’ escape from Nirvana, and a plethora of murders. To make matters worse, someone is hell-bent on ending Jade’s mission for the truth, and that someone is most likely the killer.
Jade can’t continue conforming to an evil society and yet she fears the Outside is just as corrupt. If she resolves to flee and is caught, the punishment is banishment to the slave cabins…and blinding.

John: What can your readers look forward to in 2015?

Kristy: Hunted and Blinded should both be out by then!

John: Thanks again Kristy for the interview. It was interesting and I’m sure your readers will look forward to the release of Hunted and Blinded Where can your readers find your books, your blog and Twitter address.

Kristy: Amazon link for Jaded: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00II0UUSQ Not to forget I just reduced the price to $.99.

Amazon link for Even In Death: http://www.amazon.com/Even-Death-Short-Story-Collection/dp/0692228055/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407526096&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=Kristy+Feltenberger+Gillesie As a reminder I reduced the price to $.99.

Keep Calm & Write On Blog: http://kristyfgillespie.com/

Twitter: @KFGillespie

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristy.feltenbergergillespie?filter=3

I want to thank Marie Ann Bailey for including me in the Sisters in Crime blog hop. The fact that Marie and I are not related by blood has no bearing on the fact that we are still sisters. (Notice I moved the gender direction toward the better looking of the two of us). Marie has a fabulous blog Sisters in Crime blog hop. The fact that Marie and I are not related by blood has no bearing on the fact that we are still sisters. (Notice I moved the gender direction toward the better looking of the two of us). Marie has a fabulous blog 1WriteWay where all things writing and reading can be found. The most notable fact about Marie’s blog is the outstanding support she gives other authors. One visit there and you will have a tough time finding Marie talking about herself, but plenty about what is going on in the world of writing. Her latest post does provide some additional information which is worth the trip. Thanks again Marie.

The Sisters in Crime Blog Hop ends today so I am charged with wrapping up this segment of the hop. There are a couple of things that need to be done in order to wrap the hop effectively:

First there are seven questions needing answers: So here I go

Which authors have inspired you?

I have been inspired by Kurt Vonnegut and how he has used humor and current events to create his stories. Also John Irving for his fantasy view of fiction. Finally by Nevil Shute for his attention to detail.

Which male authors write great women characters? Which female authors write great male characters?

The best male author writing a female character is Kevin Brennan in his book Occasional Soulmates. I really believe he is a woman. The best female author writing a male character is Rhani D’ Chae in her book Shadow of the Drill. These guys are tough and brutal but have been given a sense of loyalty and brotherhood that a male would enjoy.

If someone said “Nothing against women writers, but all of my favorite crime fiction authors happen to be men,” how would you respond?

I guess I would say just the opposite. All my favorite crime fiction authors happen to be women. I think women have a fine touch for developing a great story which delights the mystery reader.

What’s the best part of the writing process for you? What’s the most challenging?

The best part is moving through the story and having the characters and plot develop the way I want. Someone once described this as “words flowing like lava.” The most challenging for me is the editing. I plainly stink at spot on punctuation so I need to be very careful in the editing process and that just isn’t me.

Do you listen to music while writing? What’s on your playlist?

I listen to all kinds of music. It helps in keeping me focused on the project at hand. My playlist includes sixties, seventies and eighties with some classic rock thrown in. I also am a big Queen fan so if I’m really against the wall I will listen to Queen exclusively. I have all their CDs

What books are on your nightstand right now?

I am reading Inside Room 913 by Bruce A.. Borders and up next is African Me & Satellite TV by Jo Robinson

If you were to mentor a new writer, what would you tell her about the writing business?

I would advise new writers not to think they will become rich and famous. If they do become rich and famous that will be great but keep everything in perspective. Writing is hard work and needs to be done by those who love it and for only that reason. Other reasons will lead to discouragement and eventually to quitting. I would also advise writing every day

Secondly the post must include the Sisters In Crime link:

http://sistersincrime.site-ym.com/?page=134 And their Twitter: #SinCBlogHop In order for them to spread the word.

Thirdly the torch needs to be passed to someone else with an introduction and link to their blog.

Since I am the last one in the chain the person I mention here does not have to take the torch and run with it.

Kristy Feltenberger Gillespie lives in Warrenton, VA with her husband, two cats, and three dachshunds. She’s a middle school counselor, graduate student at Longwood University, (pursuing a degree in School Library Media) blogger, short story and YA novel writer. When she’s not working, she’s traveling or dreaming of traveling.

Kristy is also the author of the YA Thriller Jaded available at Jaded available and the ten short story collection Even in Death Even in Death