1. How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing forever. It’s a funny story because I wrote more than the game back in 2008 (before social media was a big thing). And it was like a million more words. Then, I just edited over the years and played with other ideas and books.
In 2019, my sisters-in-law asked to read something I wrote. Once they read it, they were like, “Umm why are you doing nothing with these?” I took classes and lectures, and I traditionally queried. I had calls with two agents. I almost traditionally published, but they want me to get rid of Nick Grant and Joey. And I couldn’t, so I went the indie root.
2. What inspired the book you’re currently writing?
I’m working on a smutty nursery rhyme retelling for my pen name Kacie West. That started because I dropped a pen name into More than a Hero for my character, Morgan.
AJ Ranney knew we needed to bring Kacie West’s stories to life. Kacie’s debut novel came from the fact that we wanted to write our favorite tropes first. I thought we meant “grumpy/sunshine,” and AJ thought we were doing “snowed in.”
In the middle of the night, I came up with the crazy idea that we could make it a Goldilocks retelling, and I texted this to AJ. She, of course, thought I meant going a whole new way. But once I explained (in the morning at a reasonable hour), she loved the idea. And Goldilocks and the Grumpy Bear was born. Which then paved the way to our theme of funny smutty versions of popular nursery rhymes.
3. Who are the authors who most influenced your work?
-My first favorite romance author was Susan Elizabeth Philips. She inspired me so much to write stories that combined real life issues with laughs and some steam!
–AJ Ranney, my author bestie and co-writer, helps me and edits always. She is my organization and helps me through issues.
–Brittanee Nicole, my partner in KU steamy and other author bestie, motivates and teaches me how to continue to grow in the business.
–Daphne Elliot is on her way to being the next queen of small town romances. Her organization and drive inspires me every day.
–Swati MH stories have so much heart and emotions I learn from her every time I beta read for her! —Elyse Kelly shows me how to make a plan and do it. She is amazing at teaching and helping everyone around her.
These women are amazing, and they all inspire me with their talent for writing, their heart to help everyone and their ability to succeed in a super hard business.
4. Where do you write, i.e. an office, outdoors, a coffee shop?
Anywhere. I’m chaos so I might pull over on the side of the road because I have an idea. Or I might be at Sunday dinner with the family and run off to a corner to type out a chapter. I’ve even been known to write in my bed and the bath.
5. If you could visit one place to research a book where would it be?
Oh, I have a plan for Mandy Evans, and I want an inside look into the airplane and buses of a political campaign. That story is a few years away, but I can’t wait for it.
Southern Sisters Book Club 