Kathryn R. Biel: Kathryn Biel hails from Upstate New York and is a spouse and mother of two wonderful and energetic kids. In between being Chief Home Officer and Director of Child Development of the Biel household, she works as a school-based physical therapist. She attended Boston University and received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from The Sage Colleges. After years of writing countless letters of medical necessity for wheelchairs, finding increasingly creative ways to encourage the government and insurance companies to fund her clients’ needs and writing entertaining annual Christmas letters, she decided to take a shot at writing the kind of novel that she likes to read. Her debut novel, GOOD INTENTIONS, was released in 2013, and her second novel, HOLD HER DOWN was released in 2014. Her musings and rants can also be found on her personal blog, Biel Blather.
**Contact Kathryn: Website
GUEST POST
I’d like to thank Isabella at Chick Lit Goddess for letting me drop by and guest blog. Today, I’m writing about why I write women’s fiction. That answer is easy. It is because I read women’s fiction. That is the genre I most often find myself reading. I particularly enjoy the sub-genre of chick lit (AKA romantic-comedy). When I started writing with my first novel, Good Intentions, I had every intention (no pun intended) of writing a book that would be comparable to a chick-flick movie. I didn’t even know that these genres really existed. With my second novel, Hold Her Down, I specifically went in with a more dramatic and dark feel, knowing that it would place the novel squarely in the women’s fiction category. I was trying a different approach and actively trying to hone my writing craft by changing voice and tone. My third book will be more a of departure into the chick lit sub-genre of women’s fiction. Again, it was a purposeful exercise to try out a different voice and perspective.
Additionally, I write as an escape and as therapy. Sure, I have an overactive imagination, but I write to help me deal with my life. Despite the exterior of anyone’s life, there are often layers upon layers that the outside world never gets to see. There are times that are tougher than others and writing has become the outlet for me to deal with things. I started blogging to help work through some issues, but quickly realized that I cannot really discuss what issues are going on in my life without betraying the confidences of those around me. However, when I write, I can work through some of those issues. It is generally not a literal translation—the mother in Hold Her Down is nothing like my mother. But when I’ve had battles for control, say, in my job, it could translate to Elizabeth’s battles with her mother Agnes.
As some close friends and my beta readers started giving me feedback on Hold Her Down, I realized that my writing is not only therapeutic for me but for my readers as well. Many of my readers have been able to identify strongly with Elizabeth, the main character, and the struggles she faces as she loses her own identity for the sake of her family. As women, I think many of us have the tendency to put ourselves way on the back burner without even realizing it. Reading about someone who is struggling with some of the same issues can be cathartic for the reader. I know, as my characters grow in strength, so do I. I hope the same for my readers!
* * * * *
**Blurb:Elizabeth Zurlo is lost. She’s a wife, a mother, a teacher, a PTA volunteer—but somewhere along the way, she’s lost herself. Depression and despair can lead to desperate measures and when she is pulled back from the brink of suicide, Elizabeth slowly tries to rebuild her marriage and reclaim her life. Just as she has finally started to put herself back together, a scandalous novel rocks her small town … and costs Elizabeth her social standing, friendships and ultimately, her marriage. However, the man who seemingly destroyed Elizabeth’s life, helps her realize who she is and what she needs to do to become the woman she’s not only capable of being, but the woman she used to be.
**Buy “Hold Her Down”: Amazon Barnes & Noble iTunes Kobo Smashwords
* * * * *
**GIVEAWAY**
Along with checking out other stops on Kathryn’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours, click HERE to be entered to win a print copy of the book! Please note this is open to US residents only!!
