*interview conducted by Lena Nelson Dooley, an award winning Christian novelist.
Welcome, Kenn. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
Every character I create comes from some experience I’ve had, either from within or externally. That’s not to say that every character is a facet of me but every character comes from something that has touched my life experience in some way or another.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
I tend to be quirky by nature so I’m not sure how to isolate answering that.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I’m not sure that there was ever a “light bulb” moment of realization that I loved writing. I’ve just always done it in some form – even when I was drawing. I’ve always loved crafting and telling stories.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I love crime and suspense novels but since I’ve become more serious as a writer, I’ve learned to read everything. I can read (and enjoy) anything from historical fiction to urban fiction to classic literature to chic lit.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I’ve found that writing helps center me. I’m able to channel my frustrations and expressions into writing and often times, work out some pretty good work to share with others. It’s very rewarding to find through sharing with others that they may have felt a similar emotion or frustration or point-of-view at some point, so through the isolation of writing, I fond community. Weird, I know.
How do you choose your characters’ names?
Most of my characters’ names have some degree of metaphorical significance. I tend to build the character in my head and on paper and then name him/her based on how the personality ties into the story.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Completing my first novel, PIOUS, was a big accomplishment for me because it was the first project of my career where I was solely responsible for the presentation from cover to cover.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
I tend to have a lot of characteristics of a cat – but not the “creepy, appear out of nowhere, I want to eat your soul” kind.
What is your favorite food?
I love sushi. I don’t have it that often so it has become a “celebratory” food. When I accomplish some personal goal or need comfort after a long work week, sushi is usually the reward.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
I’m still learning a lot so my roadblock today may be totally different tomorrow. For example, writing dialogue can be challenging at times but I’ve overcome this by reading out loud whatever dialogue is in question. If it doesn’t sound natural hearing it aloud, I rework it.
Tell us about the featured book.
PIOUS is about an esteemed man is confronted with all that he has tried to hide of his past when a registered sex-offender moves into his neighborhood.
Please give us the first page of the book.
Carpious Mightson is not who he appears to be while portraying all that he isn’t. The appearance of friendliness and virtue suits him comfortably as he moves about his yard one Saturday morning, raking leaves as the autumn breeze lulls the branches above him.
Carpious, looming wide-shouldered at six foot two inches, is not much different from the three towering and massive trees that dominate his lawn as he gathers leaves into modest piles at the end of his yard. His two-hundred-twenty-pound frame is dressed with blue, baggy sweat pants and a black jersey while his yellowish-brown skin gives off a glow that is much like the leaves that are all about him. His close-cropped salt and pepper hair is exposed to a cool autumn breeze as he, like every Saturday for the past month, busies himself in his yard, a chore that allows him a semblance of a social outing where he can spend time talking with his neighbors.
“Why don’t you just use a leaf blower?” says a voice from behind Carpious. He’d had his back to the street and was looking toward his house at the work he’d done thus far. His thoughts were distant enough from… (end of first page)
How can readers find you on the Internet?
I’m everywhere. The official website for PIOUS is at http://piousbook.com. I blog regularly at http://random.kennbivins.com. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and many other locations that only Google can avail.
Thank you, Kenn, for dropping by.
Lena’s blog can be read at http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com.