Author Spotlight - Kathy Bosman

Ubuntu is a new line of romance novels from Decadent Publishing - a line of books set in Africa and featuring African characters. One of the line's launch titles, Dragonfly Moments by South African author Kathy Bosman, is in our spotlight today.

Kathy has appeared in our Spotlight before, talking about her debut novel Wedding Gown Girl, so today's interview will be a little shorter than usual.

1. Do you write every day?
I wish, I wish, and I wish. Lately, it’s been really hard as I have two more books coming out this year so I’ve worn the editing hat quite a bit. Life’s demands squeeze out my time but on some of my good days, I make up for the bad ones. Note some, not all.

2. Which blog(s) do you read regularly?
I read the Minxy blog and some author friends’ blogs as well as The Bookshelf Muse. They have some wonderful writing tips. That’s not all. I read about ten other blogs on other topics I’m interested in, so yes, my blog reader software on my phone keeps quite busy.

3. Keeping fit: Do you have an exercise regime to counterbalance all those hours sitting at a computer?
I have got a little lazy in this regard. I used to run 10 km races but nowadays prefer walking. Twice a week, I do my exercise DVDs which are a mix of dance moves, weights, and general exercise. Once a week, I go on my much-needed jog / walk where I get lots of writing inspiration. My kids rope me into playing soccer or hockey sometimes but lately, I lose everything as they get older and stronger. I was never good at sport but do really enjoy it.

4. Just for fun: a year from the end of the book, where would your couple go on holiday?
Ryan loves safari so they would probably go to Kruger National Park and go on game drives and a few walks or maybe God’s Window in Mpumalanga so Tessa can sketch the mountains and scenery. The place they stay at would have to offer top-class cuisine to match Ryan’s taste being a chef.

5. Could you be friends with any of your heroines?
I would probably find all my heroines fun to be friends with. They all have a little bit of me in them but also elements that are so different to me. I’m trying to learn the importance of making female characters who are kind yet not wimpish. It’s a hard balance to reach but it makes them likeable—to me at least. I think my favourites so far have been Kienna and Elaine. Kienna is from “Wedding Gown Girl” and Elaine is from a book I have coming out in September called “Three Tiers for Win.”

6. Have you ever written a hero you'd be happy to run off with?
I love all my heroes but I suppose Ryan from Dragonfly Moments and Win are my favourites. Win is super hot being an Olympic swimmer yet has some dark secrets which make him mysterious. Despite that, he’s a great love for his lady. Ryan has the patience of a saint and I love his rugged look. His looks are based a little on my hubby’s looks.

Blurb:

A young woman’s first love walks back into her life at the worst time possible—she is about to start a family with another man. But when her dreams begin to crumble, which one will be there to help her pick up the pieces?
Seven years earlier, at university, Tessa Calitz wrote a letter to Ryan le Roux promising her undying love. As time passed, she forgot about that letter...but not Ryan, who clung to the hope that she would wait for him.
Such is not the case when he walks back into her life. Tessa is in a serious relationship, and is busy setting up her art gallery in Johannesburg. She has plans to start a family, and the arrival of Ryan into her life throws her for a spin.
He is the worst thing that could happen to her dream of stability and starting a family...or is he?
Because when her relationship and everything she clung to starts to crumble, Ryan is right beside her to inspire her to greater things.
But her obsession for having her own child pushes Ryan away when she falls in love with an orphaned HIV-positive baby.
What can Ryan do to make Tessa realize that being with him is what her heart has longed for all along?


Dragonfly Moments is available from Amazon, Amazon UK, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, All Romance eBooks and direct from Decadent Publishing.

You can find links to my other books at www.kathybosman.com. I also have a new book coming out at the end of the month called Cosmetic Heart.

Author Spotlight - Kathy Bosman

Woohoo - South African romance authors are on a roll! I am pleased to welcome yet another SA writer into the spotlight: Kathy Bosman.

1. Tell our readers a little bit about yourself.

I’m a home-schooling mom of three children and write while they work and any spare moment I can find when not cooking (and I cook almost everything from scratch – silly really,) and tackling piles of laundry and dishes. I think that I always wanted to write – even as a kid, I used to read ferociously and dream about being an author one day. I rediscovered my passion for writing when I was living up in Zambia where there wasn’t much technology or anything to do to occupy the mind. So, I started writing children’s books because I’ve always enjoyed working with children. They weren’t the best, but they were fun to write at the time. Years later, I decided to try an adult novel and it turned out to be a romance. That’s when I realised I wanted to write romance. After years of perfecting my craft, I’ve finally found a genre that works for me – sweet, contemporary.

2. What number book is this? First? 100th? 200th?(Nora only!)

First traditionally published!

3. Everyone who writes knows it's not easy - what methods do you use to keep at it on days when it would be so much easier to go shoe shopping?

I don’t know if I’m too good at that! I’m a terrible procrastinator. The best way for me is just to sit down and write whatever comes. I can’t analyse what comes out too deeply else it won’t get done. That’s for the editing stage later. Reading good romance books helps to inspire me to write, so sometimes I take a break and read a good book or do something totally mindless like knitting or washing curtains or something. Shoe shopping is not my favourite pastime as I have such small feet and I absolutely despise wearing high heel shoes. Maybe a new pair of running shoes or flip-flops could be a temptation when I earn some good royalties.

4. What is your top promo tip for other authors?

I’ve been doing some promotion with my book, but it would be very hard to say which of those things have caused sales or not. I think the best thing is to write good books and to connect with your readers through facebook, blog posts and word of mouth. I would say, a bit of everything works – you can’t go wrong, but don’t be too pushy. Just connect in a fun, interesting way. And make sure you’ve got a decent website – you don’t have to pay for one –there are lots of free blogging options available. Find the one that best fits your style. The hardest part is keeping it current.

5. How does writing fit into your day? Or does your day fit in around your writing?

Unfortunately, during the school term, writing has to fit into my day. There are moments when my kids have to read their literature books or science, and then I have some quiet minutes without their many questions, to work on my books. I also try to write in the evenings when I get a chance. The school holidays are usually my best times when I can get some decent word count done. I can’t wait for the long summer holiday! But, many times, writing takes precedence, i.e. I’d rather write than watch TV or do gardening, car-washing or anything to do with combatting dust.

6. Is there a book you haven't written yet that you're dying to? What genre?

One day, I want to write an Edgy Inspirational Novel – basically it’s inspirational that pushes all the boundaries and can be controversial in some circles. I want to write a book that changes someone’s life and touches them in a deep way.

7. Any craft books you recommend?

I would definitely recommend these grammar books – Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style and My Grammar and I (Or should that be ‘Me’?) by Caroline Taggart and J.A. Wines.

8. In what way is being a published writer different to how you thought it would be?

I honestly thought a lot of the angst would go, but it’s still there. At times it’s been even worse, yet other times I can see my confidence level has risen significantly. I also didn’t realise how much extra work goes into editing and promotions, but I do enjoy that part too.

9. Do you write to music, or with the tv on in the background, or do you need complete silence?

I think if I had a silent home, I may be able to tolerate some music, but at the moment, silence is rare, so music just adds to the distractions. I can write while the family watches TV though, but I wouldn’t say at my best.

10. Do you have any tips, tricks or sacrificial rituals you do when you hit a story roadblock?

Take a break and do something else for a while – it should come to you while you’re doing something mundane. If not, the break alone should clear your mind so when you sit down, it will probably come to you. If it doesn’t, there’s something that needs to be changed earlier on – the conflict possibly or maybe your characters are acting out of character.
Another thing I do is go back and read the whole book from the beginning to get a feel for the story because with all the interruptions of life, I sometimes lose a feel for my characters.
There’s nothing like a deadline though to force you to finish.

BLURB:

Kienna loves dressing up her clients in beautiful gowns at the bridal shop where she works but she doesn't believe in fairy-tale weddings or happily ever afters. After all, her prince turned out to be a frog, and her divorce broke her heart. So when she realizes one of her brides doesn't love her groom, she tries to warn him. If only he would listen, she could help him avoid her same fate.

Blake is sure Rachelle loves him but she leaves him at the altar. He should have listened to the wedding gown girl's warning. He should have been hurt, but instead he's only relieved--and in pursuit of the woman who tried to save him from a broken heart. If only she'd trust him not to be like her ex. Doesn't she know that when he says he loves her, it means forever?


Wedding Gown Girl is available from Astraea Press, Amazon, Amazon UK and Smashwords.