We had the pleasure of speaking with author Kris Clink about her debut novel Goodbye, Lark Lovejoy, writing, book recommendations, and much more!
Hi, Kris! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I was born a writer, but never found the time or the concentration to finish fiction projects while I was raising my kids. I deployed my skills to technical writing marketing and non-profit careers, maintaining I’d give fiction a shot when the time was right. Finally, my husband asked, “When are you going to write that book?” So, at 46, I quit my job to write full time. Five years later, “that book” is on the shelves.
Our kids are grown now, and two years ago, my husband’s job took us to Kansas, where a rescue mutt and mini-dachshund puppy keep us on our toes.
After the chaos that was 2020, have you set any goals for this year? If so, how are they going so far?
After the past year, I decided to keep my goals simple. I’ll finish writing the books in the Enchanted Rock Series, launch my podcast to help new writers, and begin a new series.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
- First book: Horton Hears a Who
- One that made me want to become an author: As a child: The Little Lost Witch; As an adult: Scott Turow’s Presumed Innocent
- One I can’t stop thinking about: Glennon Doyle’s Untamed
When did you first discover your love for writing?
In elementary school, I was blessed with two incredible language arts teachers who inspired me to write. This past winter, when the first review copies of Goodbye, Lark Lovejoy arrived, the first two went to Mrs. Schmidt and Mrs. Davis-Wedgeworth.
Your debut novel, Goodbye, Lark Lovejoy, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
We’re stronger than we look.
What can readers expect?
Expect to laugh, but keep a few tissues nearby, too.
Where did the inspiration for Goodbye, Lark Lovejoy come from?
A trip to Gruene, Texas in 2007, took me into the historic dance hall in the middle of a quiet afternoon. I told my husband, “When I write my book, it’ll happen here.” The book takes place throughout the Texas Hill Country, but Gruene is where it all started.
Can you tell us about any challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
This story begged to be told, but not everyone agreed whose story it was. Originally, it included chapters set in Kunar Province and Germany. Some early readers wanted me to tell it completely from Wyatt’s point-of-view. Others wanted me to focus completely on the romance between the two main characters. Still, others wanted me to take the children and the dogs out of the story. In the end, I agreed to let go of one of the dogs. Other changes were made, but none that changed the heart of the story.
If it’s not too spoilery, were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
The people in Fredericksburg were as warm and welcoming as they come. When it came to characters, each has his or her special qualities, but Bianca takes it to a whole other level. She made me laugh. Bianca made me cry. Then, a few chapters later, she was at it again. Whenever Bianca appeared in a chapter, I couldn’t type fast enough. The words just came!
What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
Overdue, long, tedious, and equally wonderful. I wasn’t alone. The writing community circles its collective wagons around newbies and doesn’t let them fall away from the group. Without them, I’d have quit by now.
What’s the best and the worst writing advice you have received?
An agent encouraged me to join (and become active) in Romance Writers of America. Since then, the group has had its ups and downs, but I’ll always be grateful for their educational sessions and the friendships I made. The worst advice? My first women’s fiction project didn’t grab an agent, and someone told me to write young adult fiction because that market was hot. They said if I sold in the YA market, I could write whatever I wanted. When my YA manuscript finally an agent’s attention, that agent asked me to rework it into the middle grade genre. When I finished, she said it wasn’t “edgy enough.” The fact was, I wasn’t cut out to write YA or MG.
What’s next for you?
The second in the Enchanted Rock Series, Sissie Klein is Perfectly Normal, will come out in September. I’m in the process of launching my podcast, “Kris Clink’s Writing Table,” to provide support to new authors through interviews with experienced ones.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
Anything by Kristan Higgins or Sonali Dev and debut authors Lyn Liao Butler and Bethany Crandell.
