Indie or Traditionally published? - Tell us how this works for you…
Indie! There is a BIG learning curve to indie publishing, but it is incredibly satisfying to put together a team of people and own the process from beginning to end. The way I do it is by identifying the things I can do for myself, and where it makes sense to spend the money to have someone else do it. The three things that helped me be successful as a newer indie author were: Having a great cover designer, using a great ARC service (GRR - Leslie and team are amazing!), and using a PA familiar with the genre.
Plot or Pants? Do you pre-plot your books, use an outline, fly by the seat of your pants or some combination of things? How do you keep track of characters in a series? Do you keep a journal of your characters’ statistics, such as hair and eye color, relatives, hometown, etc.
I scrupulously plot out the story, pull together Pinterest boards, take personality profile tests for each and every character... and then the bastard characters get in there and ruin everything by chapter three. I’ve gotten to the 50% mark on my current WIP and I’m still following the outline--that’s literally the first time I’ve ever gotten this far without major changes. Maybe I’m learning?
My first MM romance, Sanctuary, is set in Wrecked, a gym for combat vets, and it’s a hardass vs. sass story. I love that a lot of military spaces embrace gallows humor, and felt that was a good match with my snarky / funny delivery in a story that covers some serious topics. It’s also a space that allows for a lot of diversity, which I enjoy weaving into my stories.
and then your most recent one..
Sparrow, Book Two of the Rebel Sky Ranch series, is about a grumpy foreman, a broken cowboy, and a shared rope kink. As with a lot of my books, there’s found family elements, hurt-comfort, and high heat.
Do you write full time or part-time?
Full time as of the first of September!
If you could invite 4 people (real or fictional, living or dead) to a dinner party, who would you invite and what would you serve?
Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Elizabeth Bennett, Stephen King, and my Grandma Mabel. We’d serve my mom’s shrimp etouffee (or her red beans and rice, if anyone was allergic), and my family’s rum punch recipe.
Something people would be surprised to know about you
I spent seven years as a sign-language interpreter for Bible classes.
Which character still pops into your mind to visit from time to time?
Anders. Think Dexter, but with more blow jobs and less impulse control. Just last night I was reading a book and I really wanted to introduce him to the evil mother character.
Where do you write? Do you have a routine?
I have two comfy spots in my house, and I write on a laptop desk, or I dictate to spare my wrists and shoulders. I join a writer’s Meet Up group every morning at 7, and will usually continue writing through the morning. I tend to do more admin and editing in the afternoon.
What are your writing goals for the next year? The future?
I want to switch up the line-up of my books so that I’m able to write across a couple of series and sub genres.
What’s the hardest part about writing M/M romance or erotica?
When the characters take over. It makes for a better story, but requires more time to make the story flow with the new ideas.
What else do you want us to know about you?
I love talking about writing with readers and other authors. I love the craft and love hearing how other people approach it.
What is the funniest scene you’ve written?
It’s not that I have a lot of funny scenes, it’s that my characters are snarky smart asses who are often reacting inappropriately to the situation, and sometimes the one-liners that come out of these assholes are pretty damn funny. For example, in Full Contact, Anders rolls up to a human trafficking situation in a nice suit, then complains that the gross rich people are “ruining the specialness of my suit.” Every time I read that line I crack up, mostly because I know he’s about to violently, remorselessly kill a few of them.
What’s the hardest part about writing?
Prioritizing everything else.
Who’s your biggest supporter/cheerleader?
My wife, family, friends, and fellow authors have been so amazingly supportive. I just feel so lucky to work in this genre.
What made you decide M/M romance was the genre you wanted to write? Do you write other genres?
I love, love, love reading this genre, and I was deciding on next steps, the writers and readers of this genre were the most supportive and welcoming.
Where do you find inspiration?
Everywhere, really. My wife and I love going on weekend getaways in the Texas Hill Country, and I’ve gotten so many plot bunnies from those. Also, the readers in my group have come up with a number of plot bunnies I’ve incorporated.
What do you do if you hit a wall while writing? How do you combat writer’s block?
I find that having a regular writing schedule sorta keeps the pump primed for me. I also have been really working on not over editing while I’m still drafting the book, and that really has freed up the majority of what would cause a block. That said, when I get a little stuck, talking it over with fellow writers is helpful, and moving onto a different project while letting a current project “season” has also been effective.
What do your friends and family think of what you write; do they know?
They do know and they’re highly amused by it! The jokes are hilarious AND supportive.
What is your favorite thing about writing M/M romance?
I love love. I just do. And I love that in M/M romance we get to see two men work through their walls to become emotionally available to each other. As a queer person, writing and reading about queer happily ever afters is so affirming.
How can we connect with you?
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kellyfoxdenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkellyfox/TikTok: @authorkellyfoxGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/authorkellyfox
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