Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Interview: Josi Kilpack




Welcome to Beck’s Book Picks. I am very excited to have Josi Kilpack here today.

Tell us a little about yourself?
Well, I’m a mother of four, I’ve written 14 books, I live in the country, I run and can fruit and work in my church and my husband’s business and vacuum when I have to. All those things contribute to make me completely neurotic but when I’m not overwhelmed I don’t know what to do so I stay sufficiently overwhelmed to remain comfortable.

Tell us a little about your latest release and how you came up with the idea?
Pumpkin Roll is the 6th  book in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery series. As the series gets longer I get more and more worried about keeping the books fresh and not repeating the plotlines, which led me to this story which is set in Boston at Halloween and has Sadie asking herself if ghost stories are really stories at all. It’s a little creepier than my other books but presents Sadie with new challenges that were really fun to throw at her. And although the book is #6 in the series, each of the books stand alone and don’t give away other books so they can be read in any order.

Do  you only write this one genre or have you branched out?
My first 8 books were faith based women’s fiction. This series was the first series I’d ever done and the first full on mystery I’d ever done either. It’s been a learning experience, but a fun one.

What are you currently working on?
I’ve just sent book 7 into my publisher, it will be out in February, and so I’m getting started on Book 8 which is as of yet untitled.

Do you have any writing quirks?
Not really. I’m a big ol’ mess when I write. I jump from scene to scene, edit while I write, cut out chunks of words and change direction a hundred times. Sometimes I need background noise, sometimes I need silence. It’s kind of ridiculous.

What gets you into the mood to write?
I have gotten over my moods. With two books coming out each year, I write because it’s my job and I have to find room for it just like anyone else that clocks in at their job. There are times when I want to write more than others, but most of the time it’s getting my rear in the chair and just putting the words down.

Favorite snack or drink while you write?
I’m so boring. My favorite thing to have is water. I also like trail mix, with M & M’s and skittles, I eat it with a spoon so that I get a perfect bite and don’t get my fingers salty.

Any words of advice to aspiring authors?
Be open to the growth necessary to become really good at what you do. It won’t happen overnight, and there will be failures along the way the failures will make you better if you can be humble enough to learn from them. Go to Writing conferences, read books, and don’t ever think you’re so good that you don’t have something else to learn. I truly believe that God does not waste the desire to write on people he doesn’t expect to take that seed and grow it into something amazing. I encourage you to believe that too, and see your desire as a starting point, not a destination.

What are you currently reading?
A bunch of novels set in New Mexico as part of my research for Book 8, which will be set in New Mexico. Currently I’m reading The Wilder Sisters by Jo-Ann Mapson, she’s an excellent writer and I’m enjoying it very much.

And finally, is there anything you would like to share?
My publisher is sponsoring a contest for an iPad2. Anyone who comments on this post will be entered. For additional ways to enter, go to my website www.josiskilpack.com--multiple entries are encouraged.





 

42 comments:

Ariell Larson said...

Enjoyed your interview. Appreciate Josi's encouragement to other writers and am looking forward to reading Pumpkin Roll.

Annette Lyon said...

Such a fun interview.

Josi's amazing, and she keep getting better and better.

And now I want some trail mix. :)

April said...

This is a great interview, I love this new book.

Stephanie said...

I really like all of Josi's books and am excited about this contest!

Unknown said...

Looking forward to Banana Split both the book and recipe. Thanks for the awesome contest.

brendajean said...

Super fun interview:) Thanks for hosting the giveaway. Josi's books are the best!

bchild5 at aol dot com

Jenny Moore said...

Love hearing more about your books!

Debra said...

Interesting to learn more about Josi.

Anna said...

Love the advice to aspiring authors. Can't wait to read the book.

Andrea said...

Great interview, and Josi's culinary mysteries are excellent! Love this contest.

Kristin said...

Great interview. I just finished reading Pumpkin Roll and really enjoyed it. I'm so excited about the contest -I would love to win!!!

pduthoy said...

I love mysteries. Thanks.

Frances said...

Interesting interview. Good job.

books4me said...

How many books are planned for the series?

books4me67 at ymail.com

Book of Secrets said...

Nice interview! I love trail mix with M&Ms too, though I've never tried it with Skittles. Sounds good!

Suzy said...

reading right now and i love it so far!!!

Megan said...

Love Josi's books! Can't wait to read Pumpkin Roll! Would love an Ipad!!!

Lacy said...

i love these books! cant wait for more

Ashley said...

Loved getting to know a little more about Josi in your interview! Her books are awesome! Can't wait for banana split :)

Anonymous said...

This looks like another fantastic book, cant wait to read!

Matt Ferrell said...

Nice giveaway! Thanks to you, Josi S. Kilpack and Shadow Mountain for it!

animasou @ comcast . net

Rusthawk said...

Good advice for aspiring writers.

A spoon for M&M's and skittles - I love it!

Anonymous said...

Josi seems like a great person, which shows in her writing!

Charity and John said...

I look forward to reading this series. Thank you for the contest and the information about the books.
Primabee at hotmail dot com

eileeninmd said...

Great interview and review. I love a good mystery. And I would love to be enter for the ipad giveaway.
eileen3600atlive dot com

cmjeppsen said...

This is one of my very favorite series, I can't wait to read the next one!

Marie said...

Great interview! Have a wonderful week!

apple blossom said...

thanks for the interview. love to be entered

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Patrick Jolley said...

I'd love to win an iPad2!

Unknown said...

I love cozy mysteries!

MStavros said...

Suspicious and delicious!

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

Great interview. Josi is anything but boring! And, I don't vacuum unless I have to either. ;) I have loved this series and I can't wait to get a copy of this one to read.

je2kids(at)gmail(dot)com

2 Kids and Tired Books

DarcyO said...

Sounds like a fun cozy. Great contest, too.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

Anna Maria Junus said...

Josi is a good writer. I can't wait to read this series. I hadn't realized she had written so many books.

Why Not? Because I Said So! said...

Fantastic interview!! I learned some new things about Josi. Love this contest!!

Queen B said...

Smart thinking...trail mix with a spoon. Definitely a problem when you are trying to write and have salt or other food debris on your fingers! :)

Debbie said...

I am so excited, thanks for the giveaway!

hisherand4 AT aol DOT com

Amy DeWidt said...

Oh, my gosh! I already read the first book and I was completely hooked! Can't wait to read Pumpkin Roll...I hope I get it for Christmas!

Claudia + Ben said...

Love books and would love an IPad 2!

Jenn said...

I love this series! Great food-lit.

Brittney said...

I love Sadie!!!

Karlene said...

Love Josi's series. Pumpkin Roll was great!!! Can't wait for the next one. :)