Meet the Indie Author mini interview series 2 of 3: Meet PE Kavanagh

Meet PE Kavanagh!

Author of The Price Series, The Friends & Lovers Series, The Horny Little Mermaid: A Short, Sexy Fairytale, and Fish Tails & Lady Legs

   Visit her website: pekavanagh.com                                    Buy Collecting Secrets

Thank you so much for joining us today! Let's get started!

So PE, tell us a little about yourself! You're an author...what else?

Presently, I also work as a counselor and coach. My clients come to me to heal and recover after life has knocked them down. Funnily enough, I make my characters go through rough times so they can discover their own resilience as well.

I’ve lived what I like to call a ‘buffet’ life – lots of varied flavors and experiences! I’ve been a professional dancer, chemical engineer, biotech executive, chef, and founder of both yoga studios and a children’s school.

Tell us about The Friends & Lovers Series! What inspired this story?

Like all my stories, the ones from Friends & Lovers, came to me in a series of dreams and daydreams. I’ve always had an extremely overactive imagination (which I appreciate!) and snippets of stories are always weaving in and out of my mind.

When I began fleshing out these tales, I didn’t know they were connected. It was only much farther into the process that I realized the cast from one story had a variety of connections – from family, history, work, and social – to the others. What I'm left with is a world with three strong, primary families, and the stories they tell.

My readers are always asking if side characters will get their own stories too, which I'm open to. As of now, I don’t know how many books will comprise this series, but I'm guessing it will be at least five.

Why romance novels?

I'm completely obsessed with the human mind and spirit, which I’ve been studying for at least twenty years. I also think that the greatest incubator for human development is the intimate relationship, so all my stories (so far) include that element. They sometimes veer quite a bit toward psychological fiction, but I love the central theme of a love story.

I understand the desire to escape to these worlds as well as the desire to see ourselves in the flawed and lovable heroes and heroines. Romance tells me, over and over, that so many more things are possible than what I might find in my ordinary life. It is exciting, inspiring, and emotionally satisfying.

Unlike many authors I talk to, I'm rarely happier than when I get to write about some sexy time. Writing a fight scene or a chase scene would have me hitting my head against a wall. But a sex scene puts a big, fat smile across my face.

Lets talk self-publishing.  What made you decide to pursue self-publishing instead of traditional?

When I first began, I had the idea that only traditional publishing would provide me the exposure I was looking for. Boy, was I wrong. After years of research, testing, and experimentation, I continue to choose independent publishing. I also choose to give my books the same professional level of attention that any book from the top tier publishers might receive, including several levels of editing, design, publication, promotion and marketing.

As an entrepreneur, I understand the difficulty of single-handedly juggling all these balls. I love having control over all aspects of the process and I also appreciate those who’ve mastered the various aspects and who can help me make my book the best it can be.

I would never proclaim a position that precluded any existing or new means of publication. I'm a professional author and I'm ready to make decisions and choices that support creation of the best books I can write and distribution to a large, receptive audience.

What do you think is the best thing about the self-publishing industry?

I know that that is where innovation is currently happening. That part of it is so exciting to me. I’d rather be on the cutting edge – even if it’s scary as hell – than anchored to a large, slow-moving industry. Personally, I love having a connection to every part of the process. I'm not one of those writers who bemoans any time not spent writing. I enjoy the business aspect of being an author and I love connecting with my wonderful reader community. Having creative oversight over the final product is immensely gratifying, as is finding better and better ways to deliver books that touch people.

What is the worst thing?

It’s hard as hell. The skill set is nearly endless. For a long time, there can be intense financial constraints. The momentum needed to see a project to its end can feel impossible.

What surprised you the most about self-publishing?

I'm glad that I didn’t know the extent of what would be required when I first started out. With each publication, I add another set of skills to my arsenal. I am surprised by all the energy spent on unethically gaming the system, but am constantly amazed by the ingenuity and generosity of my indie author community.

What is one thing you wish you would have known before self-publishing?

I wish I had been more focused on the business aspects earlier on, rather than believing that a beautifully written book would sell itself.

Do you have any tips or advice for anyone considering self-publishing their book?

Do it! But don’t do it alone. Find your tribe, your community, your inner circle of loving advisors. Please note, these are usually NOT friends and family. They may or may not want to support your crazy new pursuit, but they certainly won’t have the tools to do so. I could spend all my time hanging with the author communities I’ve joined over the years. These folks are magnificent. Find yours and the long, rocky road will be journeyed with others who will make everything better.

Who are some self-published authors you look up to, or that inspired you to follow this path to publication?
When I realized that those stories were coming to me were 'Romance', I started studying the genre intensely. I read all the books I could get my hands on, without checking how they were published. It turned out that so many of my favorites were independently published, including Courtney Milan, Alyssa Cole, and Alicia Rai. (Notice the multi-cultural themes, too!) The list is long, but some of the authors I currently look up to are Sylvia Day, Kelly Siskind, AL Jackson, and so many more!


Okay girl, lets talk writing!

How long have you been writing?

That’s so hard to answer! I began writing non-fiction, inspirational articles for my spiritual community almost twenty years ago. Storytelling comes naturally for me and I always infused these lessons with a narrative quality. My first exploits in fiction happened much later and culminated in my doing NaNoWriMo (on a dare!). before that point, I had only written very short pieces and did not anticipate ever being able to sustain a novel-length work. That NaNo project, through years of revision and rewriting, became my very first novel.

What does your process look like? Walk us through a typical writing session for you.
I don’t follow a set schedule, primarily because my life – as a bicoastal mother and business owner - is fairly chaotic. Sometimes I write just a few hundred words, or spend time cleaning up pieces prior to publication. Then there are periods where I'm cranking out 10,000 words or more a day. I follow the rhythms of my body and my creative uprisings. Thankfully, they always come. My MacBook Air is never farther than arm’s reach away.

As for creative process, I have been shifting, with each manuscript, from hardcore, determined ‘pantsing’ to allowing more and more plotting earlier in the process. As opposed to strangling my creative flow (which I had assumed in the beginning), understanding structure is allowing me to create much more cohesive and coherent work. So, after the typically messy first draft is done, I then start applying an overlay of 3- or 5-act structure to the whole thing. It’s like making a huge sheet cake, then carving it to resemble a landscape. Or a face.

I'm always fascinated to hear about other writers' rituals before or during writing. Do you have any?
Because my settings are so varied-- from beds to planes to coffee shops --I haven't attached any particular ritual. Even if my beloved computer is down, I can write on sticky pads, restaurant napkins, and even my phone, when in need. I always make a music playlist for each book and if I listen to anything, it'll be that.

What are some books and/or authors that inspired you to be a writer?

My favorite fiction author is Tom Robbins whose writing makes me want to swoon and dance. His facility with language, his humor, and his weaving of complex plots is astounding. I’ve always appreciated beautiful writing but never felt it was within my abilities. When a particular chart-breaking sexy book came out, however, might have been the first time I entertained thoughts of going public with my writing. Not to disparage, but I did not find the writing compelling. (Worry not. I bought all the books and saw all the movies.) My inner circle, the only ones who’d seen my sexy stories, were always asking for more, so I thought – Maybe I could do this too.

What has been your most rewarding experience as an author?

I work with may levels of subtlety in my stories. It’s fine to read them on the surface, but when a reader sees the deeply buried ideas and resonates with them, it’s the best feeling in the world. It’s as if all the boundaries between us as humans dissolved, and we are all just a collective of the same inner thoughts and experiences.

I get notes like, “Every man in a relationship with a woman should read this book,” or “This gave me certainty that I could bring love into my life.” There is NOTHING better than that!

What keeps you motivated and inspired to write?

All those stories in my head don’t let get too far. I'm thankful, thus far in my career, I’ve never needed an extra boost of motivation and inspiration. What I need is more hours in the day, or maybe an extra set of arms, so I could capture all the stories that want to come through me.

What is one thing you want everyone to know about your writing?
Look for the easter eggs. I heard this term in the gaming world, where there some fun thing will be hidden for only the most intrepid users. All of my books have these goodies, whether it’s the appearance of a character from a different book/series, a shared location, or an object you wouldn’t expect, they're always there. Here’s to finding them!

What is the best writing advice you have ever gotten?

My very first writing coach was as harsh as he was famous. As I would whine about being too sensitive to handle criticism, or complain that I didn’t like this aspect of writing, or that aspect of writing, he would blaze his baby blues at me and say, “Grow a set.”

As much as I didn’t like that advice when I got it, that set has come in very handy in my career. This is not a career for a Delicate Daisy. It requires strength, stamina, and the fortitude of a whole platoon of Navy Seals. For some of us, growing that strength is most of the journey.

What are your thoughts on the indie author community?

Love them! Like any community of humans, you will find angels, devils, and everything in between. I have never reached out for help and not gotten it. I am most in awe of those further down the path from me who are CONSTANTLY helping others. That’s the type of author and community leader I am modeling myself after.

And last but not least, do you have anything currently in the works? What can your readers expect from you next?

Always! I'm weeks away from releasing Coming Home, the second book in the Friends & Lovers Series. Childhood friends reconnect after years apart and chaos hits them from all directions. One of the interesting facets of this book is that I delve into the world US politics, which has been so fun! (At times, I’ve felt like I’ve been writing my very own episode of Scandal.)

The love story between these old friends whose worlds came apart is at the center of it, with a recurring question of what home means to every one of us. As with all my books, I keep upping the ante on smart banter, sizzling chemistry, and twists you never saw coming.

Again, thank you so much Pascale! I hope everyone enjoys this interview as much as I did! So much wisdom!
Be sure to tune in next week for the third and final interview in the Meet the Indie Author interview series, with Helena Lancaster on May 12th.

Click the links to view her other works on Amazon:
The Price Series
The Horny Little Mermaid: A Short, Sexy Fairytale
Fish Tails & Lady Legs

And as always, if you have any writing questions for me, leave a comment and I will do my best to write a post in response!

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Happy writing!