Take Five With...Kelley Smith

Sunday, August 21, 2011


Today, I’m pleased to Take Five With… Kelley Smith, author of the YA Paranormal Romance, Glittering Ashes.  

You know how the experts on blogging encourage us to make our blog unique in content and focus?  Well, one of the things that intrigued me about Kelley's blog is the title, ‘Writtled’. It stuck in my mind, so I had to find out why she chose that particular titIe, and she said:-

I knew from the beginning that I wanted some variation on the word "write," but there are so many awesome blog names that have already been used. So, I brainstormed for a while, and I've always loved the word "riddle," so I decided to combine them. I think equating the writing process with working out a riddle isn't a huge stretch (lol).

What makes Glittering Ashes unique?
I think what makes Glittering Ashes unique is that I really did follow the "write what you want to read" rule. I wanted something with a love triangle (love them), with a main character who I actually liked, with some magic/paranormal elements, and I wanted to write something with a Jordyn (The MC's best friend in the novel. She was so fun to write).

What themes are included in the novel?
For Glittering Ashes themes, I'd say finding love in volatile circumstances is a big one, especially finding love as a seventeen-year-old girl. Nontraditional magic in an anything but traditional world would be another theme, I'd say, as well as a slight element of mystery being thrown into the mix.

What kind of books do you read? How do they influence your writing?
I say a lot on my blog that I'm a YA junkie. I read that genre almost exclusively at this point, and if something new is coming out, I'm either googling it, in the process of putting it on hold at the library, or downloading it on my Kindle. I like to read weird, original story lines, particularly YA romance in the many facets that it comes.

What I read definitely influences my writing. I have to read YA with a heavy romantic element, so I definitely have to write it. Originality is huge for me; so I strive to be different in what I write as well.

Who are your writing heroes?
Robert Cormier was huge for me growing up, particularly Tenderness and We All Fall Down. These days, I don't have a hero so much as people who inspire me to write more and better. Anything that is quirky or different in the YA genre is something I want to read and learn from as I continue on as a writer. Amanda Hocking's story is also a really inspiring one to a self-published author like myself.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I'm working on more in the Dark Artist series that follows Glittering Ashes. They're fun characters to work with, so I'm not done with them yet. Other than that, I have a list of about thirty story plots I've come up with; so I'll be busy for a while.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned on your publication journey?
The most valuable lesson that I've learn so far is that you have to be your own cheerleader. Sure, that's true for getting your book out there so people can read it, but it's also true for the times when you have to be the one who always believes in your story, even before others have heard of it. 

Thank you so much, J.L., for having me! 

At seventeen, Roe Daniels didn’t need to believe in fairy tales, she knew they didn’t exist. But when Roe moves to Gaudium Falls to be with her aunt, she finds the elusive friend, a love triangle turned square, and the magic that she would have bet six bucks never existed.

Within a new town Roe doesn’t trust enough to call home, she’ll find a place she knows is too good to get used to and too perfect to trust, and a boy also too close to that description to fall for. She’ll survive the contact with the world that feels so foreign to her and the boy who is big enough to shake that world and her life to its core, or she’ll watch everything she’s just beginning to know and to love burn to glittering ashes at her feet.



You can find Kelley at Writtled or follow her on Twitter. Check out Glittering Ashes on Amazon and Smashwords

For a chance to win an e-copy of Glittering Ashes, leave a comment or question for Kelley. Drawing will be Friday, August 26th. Thanks for spending time with us!

37 comments:

  1. Thanks again for having me! :)

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  2. great interview, ladies. We do love us Kelley Smith! :))

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  3. Fantastic interview. I love the name of Kelley's blog, too, and Glittering Ashes sounds like a great read.

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  4. Kelley, I see you have a firm fan in Dezmond.

    Talli, yeah, I really like 'Writtled'.

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  5. Great interview, J.L. And Kelley, I love your blog title as well. Very clever. And I love those romantic triangles too. I think I have one in every story I write. I'm kinda partial to love in volatile circumstances too. Sounds like a great read.

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  6. Great interview and Kelly, I love your blog name. Glittering Ashes sounds like a great read.

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  7. Nice interview J. L. And what a great name for a blog! Though I don't read a lot of YA your novel, Kelly, sounds like an interesting read.

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  8. Great interview, Kelly. But would you come be my cheerleader at some point? I think you have enough enthusiasm for us both. LOL!
    Your book sounds awesome!

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  9. Great interview! It was nice getting to know you and your reading/writing style better Kelly. Your new series sounds really cool:)

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  10. Hi everyone! I'm glad you all like how it sounds. I enjoyed writing it so hopefully y'all will enjoy reading it!

    DEZMOND: you're so sweet :)

    Thanks, Talli!

    Doralynn: <3 triangles are the best. I really like them, when they're done well. Hopefully you'll like mine!

    Stephanie: TY! :)

    Bish Denham: That's really sweet of you to say. Glad it sounds good :)

    E.R. King: I try :) TY, and we'll definitely have to do something together blog wise. I really enjoy yours too!

    Deana: Thanks, and super thanks :)

    Keep the comments coming. My book is loving the attention, and super duper big thanks to J.L. for hosting me and the giveaway!

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  11. This is so true...a writer totally needs to be his or her own cheerleader. I look forward to seeing you in the Platform campaign.

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  12. Great interview. Brill questions. I'd never have guessed how the blog name was derived. :O)

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  13. Hi Joy, Kelley! I love the little blurb For Glittering Ashes, and the title too. I don't normally read YA that often, but this is definitely on my list to read now. (:

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  14. Michael Offutt: Looking forward to seeing you around the campaign too :)

    Madeleine: Glad you liked the interview!

    Marlena Cassidy: YAY :)

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  15. Great interview! Thanks for sharing.

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  16. Great interview... I love both blogs.

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  17. This sounds like an interesting book and I already love Kelley so it's win-win :)

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  18. Great interview! I can't wait to read Glittering Ashes

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  19. When I was a teenager, in the 1980s, quite a few of my high school classmates loved romance novels but always had to read ones written for adults. I think it's great you're helping build up the YA romance genre.

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  20. Great title for the book, and it sounds like a good read. I really love the title of the blog. I'll have to go check it out! Nice interview.

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  21. Margo Kelly: Thanks for commenting! (And I like your last name :) )

    Jeff King: Thanks! Glad you came over!

    Sarah Pearson: That's incredibly sweet of you to say. Thank you!!

    Melanie McCullough: YAY. That makes me incredibly happy.

    Michelle Fayard: The YA romance genre has really grown, and I'm happy to be a part of it :)

    Carrie Butler: Thanks! Glad you like it. J.L. asked some great questions :)

    LynNerd: Glad you liked my titles. Hope to see you at my blog! :)

    Thanks, everyone for all the kind words!

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  22. Awesome interview! I'm up for a chance at Glittering Ashes, too.

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  23. Great post! I follow Kelley's blog myself, and you've definitely highlighted her strengths and talents:)

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  24. I love the name Writtled and the story behind it. I'm going to check out the blog. Good luck with the book, Kelley!

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  25. David Powers King: Thanks! And yep, you sure are :)

    Mark Noce: Aw, glad you think so :)

    Theresa Milstein: Glad you like it, thank you, and I'll see you at my blog then. Glad to have you!

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  26. Great interview and Glittering Ashs sound so interesting!

    All the best Kelley!

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  27. Nas Dean: Thanks for commenting! And you're sweet to say that :)

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  28. I love your final statement about believing in your work before anyone else has even heard of it. So true, yet so profound. Glittering Ashes sounds like a good book. I always love me a love triangle.

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  29. I linked over here from the campaign, and I really enjoyed this interview. Kelley, I relate fully to writing the books one wants to read! I also agree about the cheerleading. As I've often said in reference to my first novel (the one that's published), "It's the best novel I've read 40 times." J.L., you've got a great blog here. I look forward to reading more of your posts!

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  30. Shannon Lawrence: Love triangles are my kryptonite, I'm afraid. Glad I'm not alone :)

    Katie Gates: Glad you liked it. Great way to put it. I really like that. And thanks! I look forward to having you :)

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  31. Lovely interview! I met Kelly myself recently, and loved her blog. Hoping to win her book :)

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  32. What a wonderful interview! Congratulations, Kelley! Glittering Ashes sounds great.

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  33. Great interview J.L thank you. i agree with Kelly that paranormal always has to be fresh, I appreciate authors who add a twist to the norm.

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  34. Camuesque: Thanks for the blog <3 :)

    Cynthia Chapman Willis: Thank you! That's nice to hear

    Wendy, Blog Author: It's almost necessary at this point, since there's been SO many (mostly good) paranormal takes in YA

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  35. Hi Kelley! I love that your love triangle turns square - that definitely intrigued me.

    Looking forward to getting to know you and your writing in the campaign!

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  36. Thanks, Brooke! Getting forward to knowing you and others too :)

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