JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
KJ Waters, author of Shattering Time
(Blondie Books)
Ronnie Andrews returns from eighteenth century London shell-shocked from her first terrifying time travel encounter. Her boyfriend, Jeffrey Brennan, casts doubt on her sanity leaving Ronnie wondering if she went back in time or is having a mental breakdown.
To add to the tension, Hurricane Frances, a storm the size of Texas, is barreling towards Florida and her fears of a repeat time travel experience mount. Ronnie’s best friend Steph, along with her friend Nick and Steph’s younger brother Ian, shield Ronnie from the dangers of Frances but cannot save her from traveling back in time. Unfortunately, their meddling brings Ronnie to the brink of destruction as they are caught in the throes of the hurricane’s wrath.
Once again, Ronnie is transported to dangerous places and plagued with desperate situations, while experiencing perilous cultures including one of America’s first mysteries — the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island.
A stunning conclusion brings Ronnie face to face with a dangerous ally who may hold the key to her past while offering salvation for her future.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write Shattering Time?
KJ Waters: After reading the series Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, I read an interview where she described her writing process as a jumbled mess that she pieced together later. This sounded a lot less intimidating than what I’d imagined, so I took the leap.
Around that same time I moved to Florida. Three days later, Hurricane Charley struck. Within 6 weeks, four major hurricanes hit central Florida and turned into the backdrop for my time travel series.
Now 10 years later, I’m just publishing my second novel and have found that I’m way more organized that I though I would be.
JP: What sets Shattering Time apart from other books in the same genre?
KJ: I spend a lot of time on writing my stories with layers that add a richness and depth that isn’t in a lot of the popular fiction out there. I write the initial outline of what happens and each time I review and edit it deepens with a teaser for the next book, a story layer or a new twist to throw off the reader.
I learned to up the tension by watching Dexter (a Showtime Series) and have mastered the pace to enhance the reader’s torment and excitement.
I’ve also been with these characters for over 10 years now, and they speak to me so clearly. I think this is conveyed in the stories because fans feel so connected to the characters it keeps them coming back for more.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to Shattering Time getting out to the public?
KJ: As you know, Joey, building your social media platform is crucial to any author’s strategy. I have been building my platform since 2012 and have finally gotten to the point where I feel it is paying off in my sales.
I also build relationships with other authors and work with them to reach our collective goals through the podcast (Blondie and the Brit), my author blog, and social media.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish Shattering Time?
KJ: I began writing this series in 2005 just after the hurricanes that hit Florida. I have four books from that initial draft and have two published and two more that are fully outlined.
Once I decided on a particular book to be carved out of the monstrosity I created, it takes me about a year to finalize it, add layers, create links to future books in the series and finding new ways to bring the reader along with me on the adventure.
JP: What’s next for KJ Waters?
KJ: I’m working on the third book in the series, Killing Time, and I have a continuation to my short story Blow that I hope to release this fall.
I’m also working on a short story collection based on my blog, Blondie in the Water with my humorous water stories.
I am also the host of the popular Podcast, Blondie and the Brit where we have featured you, Joey, twice! (Episode 36 – Breathing Life into a Story and Episode 44 – The Art and Craft of Writing.)
https://www.facebook.com/kjwaters2
https://plus.google.com/+KJWaters