Welcome to Spotlight Sunday. I’m Liz Gavin and today I’m thrilled to introduce you to R.K. Close
LG: How would you describe your writing? What genres do you write in?
RK: I describe my writing as a blend of paranormal romantic suspense and urban fantasy. Those are the genres I write in now but I’m also going to try YA Dystopian and Sweet Romance as well as some contemporary romance. Oh, yea! I also have a romantic comedy planned. How well the sell will determine if I write more or not.
LG: Where are you from?
RK: Originally from a small town in Kentucky but I consider myself a transplanted native to Tucson, Arizona where I’ve lived most of my life.
LG: Do you have hobbies? What’s your favorite pastime?
RK: I love a little bit of everything but hiking, biking, camping and traveling are at the top of my list. I enjoy reading (of course), painting, photography, cooking with my husband and spending time with family and good friends. Writing is my passion – my addiction. And I should add my other addictions – coffee, chocolate, cider beer and all things curry.
LG: If you had a TARDIS – or any other time machine – would you revisit any period of your life? If so, what advice would you give your younger self?
RK: Heck yea! I’d go back to my younger self – say fourteen and then sit her down to explain that she IS smart enough to do anything she puts her mind to, smarter than some of the stupid choices she will make, talented enough to go for big goals that she’ll feel are out of her reach and worthy of the love she won’t find until she finally meets her soulmate at the age of thirty. Mostly, I’d tell her that God’s grace is bigger than any of her shortcomings and that He has a plan, even when young RK doesn’t have a clue. *wink, wink*
LG: How long have you been an author? Why did you decide to write?
RK: I didn’t start writing until five years ago. I dreamed of being an author like someone might dream of being an astronaut. But I never believed that I could do it. Mostly, because I’ve struggled with ADD my entire life. When I was in middle and high school, learning challenges (I don’t like the word disability) were barely a blip on the radar.
Once I understood that it was just a struggle that I had and that it did not define me and would only hold me back as much as I allowed it, I felt empowered. Finally, I stopped holding myself back. I took risks and tried things I’d assumed were beyond my abilities. Now I have six published novels and have no plans to stop. Can you hear the manic laughter? 😉
LG: What was the inspiration behind your bestselling title?
RK: Red Night, the first book I ever wrote and my best bestselling novel thus far. I wasn’t certain how the story would go or how it would end because I wrote it as I went – being surprised by each chapter along with the Wattpad readers who were following it. I originally shared it on Wattpad.com before the series was picked up by a small publisher. I simply took two interesting characters and tossed them into an unusual situation. The story sort of wrote itself from there. I’ve never had an easier novel since then.
LG: Is there any message from your favorite book with which you wanted readers to walk away?
RK: My bestselling book (Red Night) is also my favorite and the message that I hope readers walk away with, especially my predominantly female readers, is that it’s okay to be different from the societal norm. My MC is an a twenty-six-year-old virgin. She doesn’t pretend to be a prude but she isn’t comfortable with society dictating that she must lose her virginity by a certain age or she’s a freak or behind the times. I want readers, especially the younger ones, to feel empowered to say no or not yet, if they want.
LG: Please provide all your contact information so our readers can stalk you.
RK: Gladly! Readers can find more information about me and my books at RKCloseBooks.com. I’m also on Amazon Author Page, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest as RK Close. Reach out on email. RKClose@RKCloseBooks.com
