Friday 25 May 2012

Friday interview with Kyra Lennon

Today I'd like to say hello to Kyra. You probably all know her - she was a huge presence during the A-Z Challenge, both with her comments and her hugely successful diary series of posts.

So, Kyra, what’s the best thing about being a writer?
I think the best thing is having the chance to exercise my imagination. It's probably not as good as it used to be, but the more I write, the more it improves! I also love the writing community. Everyone is so supportive of each other, and I love being a part of that.

And the worst?
The fear! Confidence is not my strong point, so I am always second guessing myself about whether my work is good enough.

What’s your writing routine like? Do you have one?
Haha, if only I was that organised! I don't really have a strict schedule, but most of my writing is done in the evenings. When I was working a "9-5," evenings were the only time I had for writing, and it's still my most productive time of day.

What are you working on at the moment?
Ooh, I have lots happening at the moment! I'm just polishing up what will be my first novel, Game On, and that is my main priority. I 'm also in the planning stages of a YA book about one of the characters from Game On, plus I'm working on a joint project with Clare Dugmore. http://claredugmorewrites.blogspot.co.uk/

Why do you write?
This is a big question! I've always enjoyed writing, so I think it's just part of me. I stopped for several years, and in that time, it was like something was missing. When I got back to it, everything fell back into place.

Do you have a day job?
Kind of lol. I'm a freelance writer, and I work from home so it doesn't really feel like a "proper" job! But that's how I earn my money, so I guess it must be! I mostly write entertainment news, and articles about TV shows, but I also dabble in dating advice and UK travel too.

And, now a really random question: what’s your earliest memory?
When I was around three or four, my nan lived in London and my mum took me there for my birthday ... or rmaybe it was Christmas. Some occasion when there are gifts involved, anyway! I was given a really cool tea set with cute tea cups and plates which came on a little serving trolley with pink trays. I thought it was the coolest thing ever!

Throughout the A-Z Challenge, you kept me – and I’m sure many others – captivated with your diary entries from characters in your novel. How far into the novel were you when you decided to write these diaries, and did it help you finish the novel?
The story was complete, and in the editing stages when I started the A-Z diary entries. The idea came to me on the first day of the challenge, and I wasn't sure it was a good idea but it seemed to work out pretty well! Writing the diary entries gave me a chance to share some of the characters' backstory that wouldn't be included in the book. I thought I knew all there was to know about my characters, but I learned even more by delving a bit deeper into their pasts!

Which character(s) did you like the most, and why?
Aside from Leah, I got a real kick (excuse the pun lol) out of writing Radleigh McCoy! It was a lot of fun to write from his arrogant, slightly sexist point of view. There were a lot of interesting reactions to his posts! I also have a soft spot for Bree and her ditziness.

Radleigh was my favourite character, actually!
When will we be able to read the novel?
I'm hoping that it won't be any later than September. I'm aiming for July or August at the moment, but there are still a few things that need to be ironed out. I will keep you updated! 

Thanks, Kyra, for allowing me to practise my interview skills on you!

Kyra blogs at Write Here, Write Now. If you haven't already, please pay her a visit! 

61 comments:

  1. Thanks for having me, Annalisa! :D

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  2. I loved reading Kyra's A to Z posts this year. It was a great concept and a lot of fun.

    Great interview.

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    1. I can't believe she only decided what to do for the challenge on the day it started!

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    2. Lol, it was definitely one of my better ideas!

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  3. I love that you learned more about your characters as you wrote those diary entries - it's cool when we get to know our own characters even better :)

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    1. Yup, I really surprised myself when I started learning more about them!

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  4. Cool! SO nice to place a face with a name! Kyra's A-Z posts were fun. And it's great to learn more about her.

    Thanks, ladies!

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  5. Popped over from Kyra's blog. Great interview. I also really enjoyed Kyra's A-Z diary posts.

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  6. I think most writers are insecure. It must come with the territory. :) A tea set sounds like a lovely gift. Wow, a free lance writer. That sounds like an amazing job. Of course, I LOVE to travel, so that would be awesome to me. I think of when I had afternoon tea in York fondly.

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    1. York is a lovely place, so much history.

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    2. I've never been to York, in fact, there are a lot of places in the UK that I need to go to - it's a shame to live here and not see all the best bits!

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  7. Great Interview Kyra and thank you for bringing me over to Annalisa's blog. Love finding new people to follow :)

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  8. Loved the interview. I'm glad I found Kyra during the A to Z!

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    1. I'm glad I found you too! The A-Z challenge was fab for finding great blogs!

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  9. I don't know much about being a freelance writer, but it sounds like it'd be a tough job, not knowing when/what you'll be doing. And having to constantly look for jobs. It'd be interesting to learn more.

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    1. Hi Suzi, most of my work comes from the Yahoo Contributor Network - which allows freelancers to write on whatever topics they want. It's a great gig, and I get a lot of opportunities with them. :D

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  10. nice getting to know kyra! and i love the title Game On!

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  11. Great interview Kyra! Nice to get to see your smile :) And I have to say, Radleigh is the character I can't wait to to read more about. What can I say, it's the bad boys that intrigue me, LOL!

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    1. LOL, that photo is so hideous!

      Hee hee, I like the bad boys too!

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  12. Kyra, your Challenge posts were great! Very refreshing idea. And you give dating advice? I never knew.

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    1. Thanks!!

      Lol,yep, though I'm starting to regret mentioning that!

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  13. Awesome interview. Character diaries sounds like a great idea, will have to check them out :)

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    1. Thanks, Anna! They were a lot of fun to write!

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  14. Wonderful interview, Kyra and Annalisa! Kyra, good luck finishing up your novel!!

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    1. Thanks, Laura!

      Novel is so close to being complete now, it's a little scary lol!

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  15. Great Interview! Nice to meet you Kyra. Dabbling in dating advice - that's too cool!

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  16. Love Kyra! She's one of my favorite people! Can't wait to see her book (pick August! Birthday present for me! ;) )

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    1. I second Cassie's August vote. My birthday is in August too.

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    2. Aww, thanks Cassie! <3

      I am doing all I can to make this happen as soon as possible - August seems like a good deadline! ;)

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  17. Well you know what they say, 'Fear profits a person nothing'. Ayep. So I guess fear is the mind killer. Good of you to get past that and write.

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  18. Awesome interview! I learned so much about Kyra.

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  19. I loved the journal entries for AtoZ, so much fun. Great interview, I love getting to know people more.

    I can't wait to read this book.

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    1. Thanks Jenny!

      Hee hee, all this build up - I hope it isn't a disappointment!

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  20. Wonderful interview! Your A to Z challenge posts were awesome, Kyra. If that says anything about your book, you're set. :)

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  21. Excellent interview, and thanks for the shout out. I'm so excited about our joint project. And I'm even more excited about finally seeing Game On available to buy.

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    1. Lol, even though you've already read it seven million times? ;)

      I am excited about our project too! :D

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  22. Wonderful interview and thanks for introducing me to Kyra.
    Kyra, congrats on finishing your book!

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  23. Great interview! It was cool to hear how your idea for the A-Z challenge journal came about. Thanks for sharing.

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  24. I'm starting to see the downside of posting these interviews on a day when I work 7 and a half hours! I'm glad to see Kyra has been taking care of you all :-)

    Thanks so much for all the comments, the new follows and for making Kyra feel so welcome. It's nice to introduce her to people who don't know her, because I think her blog is fantastic.

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    1. LOL!

      Thanks again for having me, and thanks to everyone who commented and followed!

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  25. Good luck with Game on! You certainly sound like a busy lady.

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  26. Hi Kyra, Hi Annalisa! Good luck with Game On, Kyra and all your other writerly projects in the pipeline! Awww do you still have your little tea set? How sweet! Take care
    x

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  27. Kyra and Annalisa, you paired up for a very interesting interview. May you both do well in your writing projects.

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  28. Thanks for visiting, Libby, Kitty and Francene :-)

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  29. The diary posts were awesome!! (And the picture is beautiful...silly girl!)

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  30. I really enjoyed the diary entries! It was such a fun idea. And always interesting to get to know fellow bloggers better. I've wondered about doing freelance work, but I didn't know you could earn a living from it! Sounds sweet. Best of luck with the book too, I'm sure it'll be great!

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  31. I did love your A-Z challenge posts Kyra, and I wish you luck with Game On!

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  32. I loved the diaries for A-Z, and I'm really looking forward to reading the full book when it comes out. And Jesse's story too!

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  33. Kyra's posts were a highlight of the A to Z challenge for me. Thanks for the interview, ladies!

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