Interview of Kay Layton Sisk

by

Stuart Ford

 1) What inspired the story of your novel?

I felt compelled to write about a musician, a pianist, who had gone far astray with his personal and professional life. I had to balance him with a woman equally talented, but who was grounded and knew where her life was going. Or thought she did, until she met him.

2) What is the genre of the book and who do you think will enjoy it?

LYLA'S SONG is a contemporary romance set in Texas. While I think everyone who reads it SHOULD enjoy it, my targeted audience is the romance reader looking for something a little different. My hero is a musician, a no-no in the traditional publishing world. He's also had a drug problem, another major no-no, no matter the story is one of redemption. Therefore, I'm most appreciative of Wings ePress for taking a chance on this book.

3) Do you plot out your stories or do they take on a life of their own?

I write "by the seat of my pants." I know how it's going to end--happily. If I angst-ed my way through an elaborate outline I would have essentially already written it. Then where would the fun be? I firmly believe in taking the journey as my characters do and as my readers will.

4) How much research do you undertake to make your novels realistic?

I write contemporary romance so my research is confined to the details. For instance, in SARA'S SOUL, to be published by Wings in September, I needed to know how long it would take a private jet to fly from Dallas to Paris. I found a company on the internet that specialized in this sort of travel and emailed them. I had an answer in quick time.

5) When and where is your favorite place and time to write?

I'm an afternoon writer, sitting at my desk in my study. In good weather, the windows are open and I can have birds and traffic for my back-up music.

6) What other books do you have under contract and when will they be published?

This year, I will have 4 books published by Wings, LYLA'S SONG and three others in the Texoma series. I'm currently working on the fifth. I had no idea when I wrote LYLA that I'd need to tell the story of everyone in the band.

7) Do you have problems coming up with the plots for your books?

Not so far. Where's that piece of wood to knock on? <g>

8) What do people say when they meet you and find out you are a published author?

"Have I heard of you?" Well, if I knew they were open-minded readers who bought off the internet, I'd be better able to answer that, but in general, I have to say, "No, you've probably not heard of me." Smile. "Yet."

9) Have you had any funny experiences with readers of your books?

No.

10) What’s your idea of the perfect day?

SUNSHINE! In the 80s! My sons and their families home for a visit!