I was thrilled when Kate Rockland said that she would be a guest on Chick Lit Goddess! Having just finished reading her most recent book-which I loved (seriously, every woman must read 150 Pounds), I fell in love with this wonderful and very talented author. As you can tell from this interview, it’s obvious that she’s a fun-loving and determined woman! I promise that if you read just a few pages of her books, you’ll soon be a huge fan of her just like I am!
Tell us about yourself! I am 30 years old, I live in Hoboken, NJ with my husband, son and cat, named Elizabeth Taylor. I love to swim, knit and write. And eat chocolate ice-cream.
What made you want to be a writer? I grew up with two professors as parents, and our house was wall to wall bookshelves. I used to love going through their book collection, especially the mysteries and time travel books. I also started writing for my college newspaper, and eventually they gave me my own sex advice column, which was hilarious. I mainly wrote about my roommates.
What are you motivated by? When I read a really, really good book like one of Janet Evanovich’s or J. Courtney Sullivan’s book “Maine,” first I get jealous I didn’t think to write the damn thing first, but then I get inspired to create. I’m also motivated by a desire to get my thoughts down on paper, and create pretty sentences.
What is the writing process like for you? Writing is hard. Sometimes I hate it. Right now my process is thrown off because I have an 11 month old, but before he was born I’d often set my alarm clock before work and write for an hour, or take my laptop to a coffee shop on the weekends. I don’t have a strict routine at all, I was always working full time while writing my first two books, so I’d write whenever I got a chance.
How long does it take you to write a book? About one year.
Your readers would be surprised to know that you…? I think they’d be surprised to know that I might be moving to London!
During the writing, editing, and publishing process, would you have done anything differently? If so, what? I can’t think of anything I’d do differently, I think I interviewed just the right bloggers, and created two great characters, Alexis and Shoshana.
Where do you get ideas for your books? From other books, movies, and talking to people. Also sometimes I get ideas when I’m under water for some reason, like in the shower or swimming.
To celebrate, what do you do when you’ve finished writing a book? I loved going to the bookstore to see my book on the shelf when “Falling Is Like This” came out. My husband came with me, and I remember I was a huge brat and put a pile of my book on top of another writer’s so mine would be showcased. My husband made me remove it.
Which do you find more grueling, having writer’s block or going through the editing process? The editing process can be hard, but I have a really great, careful editor. Also, the proofreader does an amazing job of keeping all the facts straight.
Do you have any advice for new writers? Don’t give up! I know it sounds like a cliché, but believe me, if ADD me can write two books, so can you.
Do you have any upcoming projects in the works? I am working on two book ideas, one non-fiction and one fiction. We’ll see which one wins in my brain!
**For more information contact Kate on her blog:
**Click HERE to read my review for 150 Pounds!