Indie Author Interview with DK King - Author of the Biography / Memoir Living The Big Sky Life.
A born storyteller of Irish American descent, DK King brings to the written page a refreshing, unique, and embracing style of literary art that captivates the reader with a relevant, yet visionary, mixture of wit and wisdom.
Interview with DK King
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| Author DK King |
DK King: Until about 8 years ago, I can’t say I ever thought of myself as a writer in the traditional sense, even though I've been a writer of my thoughts most of my life and had a reputation for being "good with words". I’ve been told that many of the notes and letters I’d written over the course of my younger life – back in the days when there were no such thing as a text message or email, of course - have been a highlight for those who’ve received them. So much so, that several of the recipients still have those notes and letters.
Who are your favorite writers, your favorite books, and who or what are your writing influences?
I love history so I tend to gobble up historical fiction and historical biographies about eras that interest me from authors like Antonia Fraser, Alison Weir, and Margaret George. A favorite collection of mine includes Colleen McCullough’s “Masters of Rome” series. I also enjoy works by Anne Rice - her Vampire Chronicles and Mayfair Witches series being a few.
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
I would say about a year into writing the blog posts for “In The Rear View Mirror”. “InTheRearViewMirror.com” was a collaborative blog I’d begun in 2008 with my dear friend, and amazing artist, K.A. Collins. Kate and I used “In The Rear View Mirror” as an outlet to express our oftentimes frustrated perceptions about what was happening in the world around us. It was a very fun project, and it is what gave me the impetus to begin writing as a profession because it helped me to realize that I was overflowing with intriguing ideas that readers could relate to.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
The first story I ever wrote - other than the many long, humorously gut-wrenching missives mailed to my girlfriends during my big sky life days - was a fictionalized "dream sequence" short story for "In The Rear View Mirror".
"The muse is a funny thing and she has a mind of her own."
Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?
The muse is a funny thing and she has a mind of her own. And for me, she tends to hit full force when I’m putting on my makeup in the morning. It seems I can solve the problems of the world and write a book while applying my lipstick. I’m not exactly sure why. Maybe it’s because the routine task of putting on my makeup promotes a particular brain wave that allows me to tap into the creative consciousness streaming through the ethers. What I do know is that when it hits, it typically hits hard and fast! And it often sees me running from makeup table to office several times in the process so I can write down every idea before it’s lost to the ethers from which it came from.
Please describe your desk/workplace.
I have a dedicated office workspace with a large Ikea desk that is dominated by a big-screen desktop computer. I absolutely love my work environment. The laptop I use for traveling is not the same for me. It’s a necessary tool, but I don’t get into the same head-space when using it like I do when sitting at my desk in front of my huge screen and large keyboard.
What do you find easiest about writing? What the hardest?
Writing the story is the easy part. The pre-publication details and post-publication marketing are the hardest and most demanding.
"[...] the joy I feel when I receive warm feedback from readers"
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Little can compare to the joy I feel when I receive warm feedback from readers who have taken the time to tell me how much my words have meant to them, touched them, inspired them, etc.
DK, please tell us a little about your Biography/Memoir Living The Big Sky Life.
“Living The Big Sky Life” is essentially a timeless tale of self-discovery with me as the protagonist. Some would call that a memoir. For me, the story begins with culture shock. When a brand new marriage is combined with a major cross-country move that replaces a comfortable urban lifestyle in Orange County, California with a country rural lifestyle in the ‘big sky country’ town of Whitefish, Montana, change is not an choice.
AI.jpg "Living The Big Sky Life (DK King)") |
| Click to Read an Excerpt |
What inspired you to write the book?
Several years into writing “In The Rear View Mirror”, I began my own personal blog and decided to start posting little anecdotes about my big sky life. I was surprised by the unexpected reader response and realized it was time to tell the tale because there were more people who could relate to my funny, yet bittersweet story than I had ever imagined.
Who do you see as your target audience and where can we buy the book?
My target audience with this book is the adult audience, both men and women - adults who understand the subtle nuances that influence how familial relationships are managed and navigated, ie: marriage and children … and more specifically, adults who may be considering a drastic lifestyle change involving a U-Haul. But because my story is written like a “PG” movie, any young adult could read and enjoy my book simply for its entertainment value. It’s a fun read whether one comprehends the deeper messages or not.
“Living The Big Sky Life” is available for purchase in both paperback and eBook formats through Amazon.com, and is also available through Google Books and Google Play.
"[...] my story offers humorous truth and uncensored honesty"
What makes your book special?
Aside from its pure entertainment value, my story offers humorous truth and uncensored honesty ... at my expense, of course, and without judgment. Many readers will be able to see themselves through the lens of my uplifting story and hopefully be able to laugh at their own follies while laughing at mine.
For the rest, I’ll defer to what I wrote in the book’s Introduction:
“To write this has been admittedly cathartic on a personal level, but my motivations in sharing it are perhaps a bit more altruistic – a way to pay it forward, you might say. No matter how special I believe myself to be to me during this part of my journey, I have few illusions about my ordinary place in this world. If my shared experience can illuminate a path that helps even one struggling soul find hope or a way through the darkness, I have accomplished something extraordinary.”
How would you describe the success of your book so far?
My book has been well-received thus far, but since I am a newly published author, I have little to compare it to. If I were to measure its success by the feedback so far, then in my book, it’s a success!
How long did it take it to write the book?
Well, unbeknownst to me - and I think it’s the same for many writers - this book was a percolating work in progress for close to 15 years. I was inspired to finally begin writing about it in 2011; however, the best outlet I had at the time for sharing what living the big sky life meant for me was through blogging about my experiences. It was also a great way to test the waters when I began seriously contemplating writing a book about it. That said, when it came time for me to actually sit down and write the book we have before us today, I’d say it took me about 3 1/2 months to write.
"find [your] own voice and develop it with confidence"
Can you give some advice for other Authors regarding the writing process?
There are so many ways to tell the same story and all of them are valid. The best advice I can give to anyone who is a writer or who aspires to be one is to find their own voice and develop it with confidence.
Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
Yes, I am. My next book will be a work of fiction. And I believe it will be part of a 4, maybe 5, book series, although I’m not sure what genre it will ultimately be classified as. I began the research phase about 3-4 years ago, but haven’t yet begun the actual hands-on storytelling. It will be involved and quite intense on some levels, and once I fully immerse myself into transferring it from my head to my keyboard, it’ll demand my undivided attention for quite a while.
Where do you see the book market in 5 or 10 years? Will there be only eBooks and will book stores disappear like record stores disappeared?
While the indicators trending today appear to be all about going digital, I don't believe the hard cover/paperback market will vanish simply because there are too many people who prefer the feel of a real book in their hands when reading it. However, I do believe the self-published indie author will irreversibly change the landscape of how readers buy their books. It's already happening and the industry is definitely in flux. Will the book store survive? I suspect that it will in some form or another, but how it will look in 5 or 10 years, what kind of business model it will operate under, is hard to predict.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
My smartphone - a Samsung Note 3.
Do you write full-time or do you have a day job? When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Yes, writing is what I now do full time. It’s taken me a lifetime to realize what I’m here to do, what my true passion is, and writing is it. Not just any writing for anybody, though ... my writing, my concepts, my ideas, my thoughts, etc. Like I said in the last chapter of Living The Big Sky Life: “I expect to drop dead on the field of my own making”. And if I have anything to say about it, I intend for my field to be sowed with many thought provoking words.
When I'm not writing, I prefer to spend my time with family, my circle of close friends, and traveling ... preferably near an ocean.
How can readers connect with you?
The best way to connect with me is through my website www.LivingTheBigSkyLife.com. A link to my blog is there, along with my email, twitter, and other social media links as well.
Thank you very much for the Interview, DK.
About the Book Living The Big Sky Life
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| Click to Read an Excerpt |
In a written voice that can be described as nothing short of audacious - real, raw and irreverent - DK King portrays her powerful passage through the peaks and valleys of love and life on her quintessential quest to turn the lemons in her life into an ocean of lemonade.
Recounting her personal ordeal with vivid clarity and unparalleled recall, DK King chronicles an unforgettable series of transformational experiences like only a great storyteller can. Her fearless account is nothing short of captivating, and should be a must-read for anyone who dreams of exchanging their robust urban lifestyle for the simple life in any small town U.S.A.
This is a book you won’t be able to put down until the startling end!
Links to the Book
Link to the Paperback Living The Big Sky Life with Excerpt on Amazon
Link to the eBook Living The Big Sky Life with Excerpt on Amazon
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