Friday Feature: @misslittle
Friday Feature:
As the year soldiers on, then so do we with our regular Friday Feature. This week we showcase another Proser and probe them about all things wordy, booky and creative.
We’re are talking to Kim, “Just Kim. My dad was adamant that I was just called Kim, not Kimberly.” She tells us, and goes on to explain; ”My Proser name is @misslittle, because I really am small (4ft 11) God thought it would be really funny to tease me by being so near, yet so far, to 5ft.”
Kim lives in beautiful Gloucestershire, within the bosom of the Stroud Valleys, in United Kingdom and she fills us in on what that’s like. “I absolutely love where I live. I'm a proper country girl at heart. I do enjoy the buzz of places like London and Birmingham, but I'm always happy to return home. I'm truly blessed to be somewhere that is a constant source of inspiration for me. Even Laurie Lee, the author of Cider With Rosie, wrote about the gorgeous area in which I live.”
We ask her what she does for a living “Full-time writer... Part-time mother? Lol... Let me explain. I used to be a teaching assistant, between having my six children. After the arrival of my twin girls, our family was well and truly complete, so I decided to become a full-time mummy. I made the choice to try and enjoy my babies being babies, instead of trying to juggle motherhood with work. I found the more children I had, the more unreliable an employee I became. It seemed that when one child was ill, the others would soon follow. It was like a domino effect of illness. I'm a perfectionist. I take pride in my work. If I had to stay at home with a sick child, I felt incredibly guilty, for letting work down. However after about a year of being at home, I felt like I needed to do something. I needed to find an outlet of some kind. So I began writing again. I hadn't written for quite some time, and missed it. I began reading a lot, too. I knew that I wanted to write a book, so eventually... I did!”
“Writing has consumed me since publishing my debut novel, and now I'm trying hard to spend a lot more quality time with my beautiful family. When you write, your mind NEVER switches off. There's a constant string of words that just go around and around in your head, not disappearing until you've written them all down. I can truthfully say, I'm only just beginning to balance out my life as a writer, mummy and wife... It's important to have that healthy balance.”
When prompted with what her relationship is with writing and how has it evolved, Kim explains, “I think I've kind of answered this question in my previous answer. Once you start writing, the ideas will simply pour from you. When you write every single day, you're perfecting your craft. I've just finished my fourth novel, and I know I'm still evolving as a writer. I know I've grown, and I'm continuing to grow. You would think I'd be this confident and self assured author by now, but the self doubt and confidence is something that still flits in and out of my life. Luckily, I have a wonderful support network that allows me to be the writer I am today. It's because of that support, that I have a better understanding of being a writer.”
“I write because I must. I write what's inside of my head and heart. I think when you do that, the doubts will lessen and the confidence will come. I'm learning to take the highs and lows of being a writer, because ultimately, it's what I love to do.”
“No pain, no gain, right?”
We want to know the value reading adds to both Kim’s personal and professional life. She enlightens us:
“When I'm not writing, I enjoy nothing more than to catch up on my reading. It's one of the rare occasions that I'm able to totally relax. When I read, it's like sweet respite from my own words. When I read something that is so good, I am able to immerse myself fully into someone else's story. I love being swept away by someone else's words. Reading enriches my life, it can also inspire my life. Being an indie author, has totally opened up my reading world. There are so many wonderfully talented authors out there, and to read their work, is uplifting and motivational.”
Kim explains what she’s up to now and what we can expect in future posts:
“I published my debut erotic romance novel, A Famous Affair in December 2014. It's about a married mother who thought she had it all. The perfect marriage, the perfect husband and perfect life. Then she meets the British actor and national treasure, Jonny Riley. For Jessica, meeting him completely turns her life upside down.”
“In February 2015, I published my cowboy novella, Hudson's Heart. It's about Georgina, a British woman who feels as though her life is going nowhere, fast.”
“She impulsively books a two week trip to Montana. She finds herself in the beautiful Prairie Point, where she also finds the intriguing Dade Hudson.”
“Just recently, I've published the final instalment of Jonny's and Jessica's story, Famously Yours. It follows their difficult relationship. How they adjust to being together, in the media spotlight and hopefully tying up any loose ends that were left in A Famous Affair.”
“Currently, I'm about to release my fourth book on Valentine's Day. It is called Written With Hearts, and it's about an erotic romance author who meets a cover model at her first book signing. Abby has insecurities that continuously drag her down, and although she feels attracted to Yate, her insecurities convince her that being with someone like him, would only make things worse.”
“After that, I'm going to be releasing a book on Halloween. I chose that particular day because this book will be my first step into the paranormal. This year, I'm continuing with my writing, and I may even branch out into other genres... I'll just have to see where the characters voices lead me!”
Wowzers, Kim is busy! We ask her to wax lyrical about Prose. She does:
“I love the diversity of writing, and I particularly like the indie author group. I love to meet and read, other writers. I enjoy the interaction with like-minded lovelies. Other writers are invaluable support because they know what it's like to be one. Those who don't write, can't fully appreciate what it's like to have a mind that never shuts off. Places like Prose, mean that we writers can all be somewhere that is fully supportive and understanding of one another. It's also a place where we can showcase our work, our words... That's like heaven to me.”
As always, we ask for the Book Before You Die that is another ongoing feature. She chews it over and illuminates us:
“That's a seriously HARD question! There are just so many books that I've read and been blown away by. I guess I'd have to say the one that began my love affair with reading, Anne of Green Gables by L.M Montgomery. I just adore the silent love that exists between Anne and Gil, it has forever captured mine and many hearts.”
Does Kim have an unsung hero who got her into reading and writing? "My dear friend Sonia, who read my first draft of A Famous Affair. I wrote it, then sat on it for a while, unsure of what to do with it. Sonia had read lots of erotic romance, so I asked her whether she would read it, and honestly tell me whether I was onto to something good with the manuscript. She read it. She loved it, and convinced me that I was indeed, onto something good. Without Sonia's belief in AFA, I doubt whether the manuscript would have ever seen the light of day!"
When we ask Kim for anything else she wants to extoll the virtue of or just tell other Prosers, she has only this to add: “Come and say hi. I love meeting new peeps, as I'm a proper chatterbox. I talk like I write... A lot!”
What are you waiting for Prosers? If you don’t already, please follow @MissLittle
Thanks to Kim for his time in answering our Friday feature questions. Are you an active Proser that would like to take part? If so, get in touch at info@theprose.com