About Kelly Cozy:
Kelly Cozy became hooked on books in early infancy, when she turned one of her parents’ paperbacks into a teething ring; she’s been reading voraciously ever since. She wrote her first story at age 9, and has been writing ever since.
She lives in California with her husband, son, and cats. When she’s not writing or reading, she enjoys cooking, watching movies, and attending nerdy conventions.
Her other works include The Day After Yesterday (contemporary fiction), the Ashes suspense series, and A Nerd Girl’s Guide to Cinema. Kelly is currently at work on her next novel; she hopes you enjoy reading her books as much as she enjoys writing them.
What inspires you to write?
I get inspiration from many places. It may be a picture I see or a news article. Sometimes it’s just a random “Wouldn’t it be funny if…” thought that drops in out of the blue. I always jot the ideas down so I don’t forget them; it may be a while before I get to an idea, and nothing is worse than forgetting the key elements.
Tell us about your writing process.
I find that discipline is essential, especially because I’m juggling many things in addition to writing. By setting aside a designated time, I get myself writing even if I don’t necessarily feel in the mood for it at the time. The important thing is to maintain progress of some sort. If you lose momentum, you can lose inspiration.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I have to listen to my characters; they never shut up! Characterization is one of my strengths, and it’s also my favorite part of writing. I enjoy spending time with my characters, even the not-nice ones. By the time I’m done writing a book, I feel like I know some of these characters better than I do many real-life people. I’ll hear a song on the radio and say, “Oh yeah, Character X loves this song.”
What advice would you give other writers?
Make your book the best it can be. When you’re done with a draft, run it by beta readers. After you’ve included the beta readers’ input, have it edited. Invest in a quality cover.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I spent a long time trying to publish my books via the traditional route, but didn’t have luck getting a literary agent. I figured I had nothing to lose by trying self-publishing, and I’ve never looked back. The first year I didn’t sell many copies, but the response from readers and reviewers was so positive that I wanted to keep on. Now sales and reviews are both good.
I would advise new authors to explore all their options. Traditional and independent publishing each have their advantages and disadvantages, and it’s important to know those before making a decision.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
We’re in a transitional, almost revolutionary time. Anyone can publish a book, but there are so many books that it can be difficult to connect with the readers. Patience, perseverance, and putting out a quality book are key.
What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?: I’ve written mystery, suspense, and contemporary fiction. I also have a nonfiction book (a movie guide) out.
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Kelly Cozy Home Page Link
Link To Kelly Cozy Page On Amazon
