JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Rhonda McKnight, author of Secrets and Lies
(Kensington Publishers)
(One of the first ten people to comment on Rhonda McKnight’s author interview will win a FREE copy of Secrets and Lies from JoeyPinkney.com)
Secrets and Lies is the story of a couple struggling to keep their troubled marriage together after the husband’s coworker accuses him of the unthinkable.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Secrets and Lies?
Rhonda McKnight: I was deep in marital woes when the pain of this couple came to me. I would say that helped with the realistic, emotional struggle that unravels as you turn the pages, but it’s not my story. That would be boring.
I did the “what if” thing. What if a marriage was bad and then something happened to make it worse? And that something was out of their control? And it not only affected the marriage, but a career? The career of a work-a-holic? I just rolled with the “what ifs” from there until I had the twist and turns.
JP: Marriage is simply complex. What are some of the lessons that can be drawn from Secrets and Lies that can make navigating the difficulties of marriage less of a blind journey?
RM: Communicate. Know that marriage is a union where emotional intimacy is critical to the success of the relationship. Trust your partner with all of you, all of your hurts and pains. Don’t turn secrets into lies. It’s a betrayal of trust.
JP: How were you able to get so many in depth reviews of Secrets and Lies before it was released?
RM: I think being with a mainstream publisher helped with the credibility of my writing, but I didn’t rely on that. I developed relationships with reviewers. I mean they’re book lovers just like me, so I introduced myself to them on their blogs and in chat rooms and message boards.
When I put out the call for reviews, people were interested. I’m naturally out going, and I love to meet people, so that was easy for me. It might not be as easy for an introverted author. Suggestions for them would be to make sure they have a professionally developed press kit. Also, make an effort to publicize some samples of your writing.
I introduced some short stories on a blog way back in February and posted it everywhere. People knew ahead of time that I could tell a story, and they were probably fairly certain they wouldn’t want to throw the book against a wall.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Secrets and Lies?
RM: Secrets and Lies from start to finish – forever. Four years on and off. Maybe a good year or more of actual hands on the keyboard writing and editing time. I had a baby and finished grad school while I was pecking away at this story.
As for my process, I write the beginning of my story because it comes to me very visually; usually through two or three chapters. Then I do extensive character outlines, so I get to know the people. I follow that with plotting. I like a detailed outline.
I didn’t do one for Secrets and Lies, but I did for my second book and wrote the first draft in less than six weeks. I’ll never not outline again.
JP: What’s next for Rhonda McKnight?
RM: I’m promoting this novel and working on several writing projects. I have a book release party scheduled for Saturday, Dec 5th here in Atlanta and on Dec 13th in Manning, SC. (More about those on my website on the events page).
I have several Internet radio interviews and blog features (like this one) scheduled through the end of February. I’m participating in several local booksignings, and then in the March I’ll do some touring that will last through June. I’m working on an anthology project that will release Spring 2010.
My biggest event for 2010 will be the annual Faith and Fiction Retreat – June 18 and 19th in Atlanta. Details at www.faithandfictionretreat.com. I’ll be there with some awesome authors, like Kimberla Lawson Roby, Victoria Christopher Murray , Tiffany L. Warren and more, and then of course our beloved readers. Wouldn’t be any fun without them.
http://www.rhondamcknight.net/
http://www.twitter.com/rhondamcknight
http://www.facebook.com/rhondamcknight
http://www.urbanchristianfictiontoday.com/
P.S. Join the Joey Reviews Newsletter at http://joeypinkney.com/joey-reviews-newsletter.html.
Please click on the banners to learn more about each JoeyPinkney.com sponsor:
