About Kathryn Leigh Scott:
Author/Actress Kathryn Leigh Scott has written several books of fiction and nonfiction. Her latest title is the memoir “Last Dance at the Savoy
Life, Love and Caring for Someone with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.” She starred in the cult favorite “Dark Shadows” and has recently appeared in a recurring role on “The Goldbergs.” She grew up on a farm in Robbinsdale, Minnesota and currently resides in New York City and Los Angeles.
What inspires you to write?
My inspiration to write always springs from “What if?” I’ll overhear a snatch of conversation, catch a glimpse of someone’s expression, feel an odd prickling in a particular location and imagine what could happen “if?” My latest book began with an old friend’s odd turn of phrase over lunch and I thought, “Hmmmm… what if?” My friend will read “September Girl” and never realize she inspired the book because the story, in fact, has nothing to do with her.
Tell us about your writing process.
I begin with one sentence that tells me who and where, then write a synopsis that can be as short as one paragraph. I keep adding to it, fleshing it out. When I have the general story in a page or two I divide it into beginning, middle and end, three acts. The first 20 or so pages are so important because that’s when I establish my voice, the style of the narrative. I generally outline only three chapters at a time because it’s no fun to write when you know everything about how the story will unfold.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I’m an actor… of course, I speak to my characters! And they speak back. I often read sections aloud, which helps establish the voice of a character and also helps me with pacing and flow.
What advice would you give other writers?
I’m a firm believer that you teach yourself to write, and I’ve learned most about writing from just doing it and trusting myself. I’ve also learned such a lot about writing from working with good editors. Invariably my second draft is a process of deleting the “gerfluffel”… the fancy turns of phrase and unnecessary bits of description that don’t advance the story. I love language and I do NOT adhere to the notion that you can’t use a perfect word choice because it may not be familiar enough. As a reader I love being introduced to a word I don’t know… look it up! One of the joys of reading PD James, among others, is coming across language and words not in common usage.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I’m a book publisher as well as an author. I launched Pomegranate Press 31 years ago to publish nonfiction entertainment-related books. I’ve published several nonfiction books I’ve written, but I’ve also been published by other legacy publishers (Bloomsbury, Simon & Schuster), and I’ve occasionally self-published. It all depends upon the subject matter and timeliness. There are, of course, huge benefits when you publish with a legacy publisher, but the book will likely take up to two years from submission to publication. The material suggests the method of publication.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
There was concern that movies would replace stage and radio, that television would replace movies, that computer technology would replace everything! All that these new platforms do is open new venues of expression and nothing is eliminated… we have print, ebook and audio, and more people are reading and writing than ever. The door is open and accommodates everyone!
What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer
What genres do you write?: I write nonfiction of every variety, including memoir; and novels in mystery, romance and paranormal genres, but my newest book, “September Girl,” is mainstream women’s fiction.
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print, Audiobook
Website(s)
Kathryn Leigh Scott Home Page Link
Link To Kathryn Leigh Scott Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on other site
Your Social Media Links
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All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
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