Once upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to meetings with local police—no, she wasn’t a troublemaker, she was a journalist. When the opportunity to focus a bit of energy on the stories in her head, she jumped at it. And she’s never looked back. Now she writes magazine articles by day and romance novels with spice by night. She lives on Lake Erie with her husband and four-year-old daughter. Happily ever after.
Q & A with Kristina Knight
I saw that certain country songs inspired “What A Texas Girl Wants.” Why these songs? (I love them all): These songs had a certain feel to them that really reminded me of the book, characters and setting. Plus, I love country music. I grew up listening – and pretending to hate my brother’s choice in music..now I’ve accepted the fact that I’m a little bit of a redneck. And proud of it!
Are you a country girl? Yes and no. I was raised in a rural area on Missouri, on a small farm…but now I live in a mid-sized city in Ohio – two completely different worlds! I love my country roots, though.
Who (or what) inspires you? So many things – do you have unlimited space? A beautiful sunrise inspires me to attempt photography (again), a great song or book can make me cry or shout with joy right along with it, my daughter – who just turned 4! – inspires me every day with her endless questions. All of these things, and so many more, inspire me to keep learning and keep working and keep writing. And keep enjoying every day to the fullest!
What is your favorite part of writing? And the least favorite? My favorite – and least favorite – parts are the same: the beginning. I love the beginning because of the possibilities. But I’m a writer who finds it hard to move forward until the main characters personalities and drives and motivations are clear and well-written. That can take a few days – and rainbows glisten and birds sing! – or weeks – and the baby Jesus cries.
How long did it take you to write “What A Texas Girl Wants? This book took about 6 months to write and revise…and I still had editing to do once it was accepted for publication!
eBook or paperback? Yes. E-first, my publisher is Crimson Romance, and print/POD copies will be available later this year – I’ll let you know when!
What are you reading? I’ve actually been reading a lot of my Crimson sisters’ books – there are some great writers there including Irene Preston, whose book was so good I read it twice within a week! I just finished Jennifer Probst’s The Marriage Bargain (and can’t wait for her next book!) and just finished The Witness by Nora Roberts. Yes, I’m a book-ho…I just can’t stop reading!
Name five things that people would be surprised knowing about you: Oh, gosh, five? I have so few secrets as it is!! Okay…um, I have a secret crush on Lyle Lovett. He’s still and kooky and I love his voice. I grew up wanting to be a firefighter or CHiP (Ponch & John, remember?!?) or the reincarnated Laura Ingalls Wilder…or maybe just a beautician named Tori, depending on the day. I have a slightly-larger-than-average addiction to shoes. There are approximately 200 pairs in my closet…some from High School, but I can’t seem to give them up. I hate reality talent shows – because I get all teary, even for the non-talented in the groups! – but can’t get enough of shows like Bayou Billionaires. I quilt – not very well, but I like the laying out of patterns and cutting of fabrics. It’s mindless but requires enough attention to detail that my subconscious can work on my books.
What are your must-haves when writing? Chocolate, chips (lays, original, please) and caffeine. Lots of caffeine, preferably of the cold-and-soda variety. But tea will do in a pinch.
How do you deal with writer’s block? Work through it! I am a firm believer that our minds create roadblocks out of fear, and our job is to knock those roadblocks in the teeth and keep moving. If I’m really stuck, I’ll step away from my desk – go for a walk, quilt a little or even play video games. But I won’t allow myself more than an afternoon ‘away’ – because more than that and the focus of the story and characters could get lost.
What did you do to celebrate your first book being published? I cried a little, my husband took me out to eat at our favorite Japanese Steakhouse which, seriously, is called The Japanese Steakhouse. Yes, clever little business owner wasn’t he? And I started a Pandora bracelet – one bead for each book I’ve sold (or will sell).
What are you working now? Do you have any upcoming projects? I do! My second book, tentatively titled The Saint’s Devilish Deal, is due out in October from Crimson Romance, and I have two more projects in the works – stand-alone sequels to What a Texas Girl Wants. I’m really excited about them!!
**Visit Kristina at any of the links below:
**Click HERE to read my review of “What a Texas Girl Wants!”