About Kassandra Lamb:
Writing and psychology have always vied for number one on Kassandra Lamb’s Greatest Passions list. In her youth, she had to make a decision between writing and paying the bills. Partial to electricity and food, she studied psychology. Now retired from a career as a psychotherapist and college professor, she spends most of her time in an alternate universe with her characters.
The portal to this universe (aka her computer) is located in Florida where her husband and dog get occasional glimpses of her. She and her husband also spend part of each summer in her native Maryland, where the Kate Huntington mysteries are set.
What inspires you to write?
I’m often asked that question: What inspires me to write? I’m not sure that “inspires” is the right word. I cannot imagine NOT writing. It has become so much a part of my life. And once I write something, then it has to be shared. I can’t let the characters die on the page for lack of attention. They only stay alive if others are reading about them.
Tell us about your writing process.
I’m mainly a seat of the pants writer, but I do have a very basic outline. And I definitely figure out ahead of time who the culprit will be and what his/her motivation is. Then I just start writing and see what appears on the page. It is a fascinating process!
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I don’t talk to my characters. But I feel like I’m in the same room with them, listening in on their conversations and their thoughts. Sometimes I feel like I become a particular character while writing from his or her point of view.
What advice would you give other writers?
Keep writing. Don’t let the blank page scare you. Anything you write, no matter how awful, you will learn from it. And take craft classes, but keep in mind that not all the “rules” will work for you. Learn them first, however, and find out why they exist, before you break them.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I started out querying agents but that stage didn’t last long. The more I learned about self-publishing, the more that path felt right for me. I am a cussedly independent person who does not like others telling me what to do (or how to write my stories). And honestly, I don’t see traditional publishers giving new authors much value in return for keeping most of the profits.
A few years ago, I co-founded an indie press, misterio press, with fellow mystery writer, Shannon Esposito. I think small and indie presses will become more common in the future.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think e-books will become the most common medium, at least for genre books. I’m not sure what’s going to happen re: traditional publishing vs. self-publishing. I’m hoping that traditional publishers and agents will adjust to the new paradigm and start offering authors more incentives to go that route.
What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?: Mystery, Thriller, Romantic Suspense, Psychological Suspense
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Kassandra Lamb Home Page Link
Link To Kassandra Lamb Page On Amazon
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