Interview with Carol Kennedy

When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?

Cruising the inland waterways of the United Kingdom on our narrowboat

What do you read for pleasure?

I love reading thriller/mystery books such as those by Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen and Karin Slaughter. That's not to say I don't enjoy romantic books.

What is your e-reading device of choice?

It used to be a Sony e-reader, but is now a kindle.

Describe your desk

Organised, but cluttered. I have reference books piled at the back of the desk and on a shelf above the desk. It's the bed next to the desk that is the problem, covered in all sorts of information I use when writing.

When did you first start writing?

I first started writing earlier this year. I have always wanted to write books, but they never came to anything, probably because I hadn't found my genre. I finished my MA in English, which I'm proud to boast I passed with merit, and just started writing.

What's the story behind your latest book?

I read an article about paintings that were found in an abandoned house, that were found to be worth money. I wondered how they could have been found and whose house was it. I invented a French artist and looked into the work of different artists of the period.

How has Smashwords contributed to your success?

It is opening up a new avenue for publishing.

What is the greatest joy of writing for you?

Seeing the finished product. Having friends and family read the books and enjoy them.

What are you working on next?

It's early days, but it will probably be based on a private investigator and a kidnapping scenario.

What is your writing process?

I buy a small notebook for each book and write all my thoughts down in it. This enables me to start building characters, background stories, and scenarios. I often write memo's in it about looking at something in particular on the internet. After a few weeks, I start to write. Not everything I write ends up in the book, but a starting point is needed. After the first twenty pages, I have more of an idea of where I'm going with the story. The first chapter is often replaced by another one.