What is your name and where do you live now?
My name is Krystal Brookes and I live in a small village on the West coast of Scotland
Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
No. I wanted to be an actress when I was very young. And then I wanted to be a French teacher. I became neither.
What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it what would you say?
It’s called Highland Haven and is the second book in the Kilrigh Heat Series. It tells the story of Erin Murray who decides to escape her past in Glasgow and she the small island of Kilrigh as her haven. Arriving at her new home, she’s alone and scared, but is welcomed by the overly cheerful laird’s son. The tall, dark and sexy Finlay must earn her trust–something she’s not willing to give easily.
Erin begins to let the walls of her heart come down, only for her past to darken Kilrigh. Can Finlay keep her world from falling apart and can their budding relationship survive this threat?
How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
Depends on my mood, my holidays, the length of the book and whether my muse is playing ball. She’s being annoyingly quiet of late.
Do you have plans for a new book?
I have the third book in the Kilrigh Heat series to finish, a short story to complete and I plan to do a double Nanowrimo this year. I am a teacher and I have a group of students doing the young person’s Nanowrimo challenge so I will write a young adult book along with them and then I’ll do the adult one with my friends.
What genre would you place your books into?
Scottish Contemporary. Though I have a sci fi book and a regular contemporary out too.
What made you decide to write that genre of book?
I always wanted to write books like Christine Marion Fraser’s Rhanna series (although they are sagas.) I’ve always loved the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
Do you have a favourite out of the books you have written? If so why is it your favourite?
No. I love them all. There are not many of them yet and they all hold a special place in my heart.
Do you have a favourite character from your books? Why are they your favourite?
I always fall deeply in love my my heroes. I think I love Brodie MacNeil most. He was the hero in the first Kilrigh Heat book, Highland Fling.
Where do you get your book plot ideas from?What/Who is your inspiration?
Usually from talking to friends. We talk about what we like, what kids of TV shows and books and I often come up with ideas that way.
Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
I tend to sit at my desk. I used to always have on music or the TV but I don’t use them so much nowadays.
Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title? I usually come up with the title quite near the beginning but not usually before I’ve started writing.
How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?
I usually use one of those online name generators. I may not use the full name and just pick a first name that takes my fancy and team it up with a surname that sounds good. When I created the island of Kilrigh (pronounced Kilree), I thought up Gaelic words that are often in Scottish place names. I used the words for church and king. I checked there was no place with the same name or spelling and that was how Kilrigh came about.
Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
I’m a complete pantser. More as I go along.
Have you ever suffered from a “writer’s block”? What did you do to get past the “block”?
Not really. My muse goes off every so often but she usually comes back. I find if I write through any blockages, I can go back and fix it later.
Is there a certain author that influenced you in writing?
My editor and fellow writer, Em Petrova. She’s an inspiration and I love her books.
What is your favourite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?
I always find this the hardest question to answer. Maybe Bridget Jones diary. I totally empathised with Bridget when I was in my early 30s. I’ve read it a few times.
Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favourite/worst book to movie transfer?
I think it depends on the books. I don’t think Fifty Shades of Grey will transfer well, although I haven’t read it. I also thought the dementors in the Harry Potter movies were nothing like JK described them in the books. I was very disappointed.
What are you currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or paperback)
I’m reading Reflected in You by Sylvia Day. I have only just started it. I loved Bared to You (the first in the trilogy) and read it in one day. It’s on my kindle.
Do you think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?
I think they might do. I would have been sad about that at one time. I did once say I would never download music as I liked having the CD and the little booklet inside. I download them all the time. I moved to ebooks with much more ease.
What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?
Don’t compare yourself or your sales with others. It’s a fool’s errand and will only depress you or make you insufferable.
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Krystal’s books are available from http://pinkpetalbooks.com. Also from Amazon, B&N, Smashwords, Bookstrand, Allromanceebooks, coffee time romance etc.
When Krystal Brookes isn’t enjoying staring at the beautiful scenery of her Scottish home, she’s writing about what’s under hunky Highlanders’ kilts, feeding her nieces too many sweets then taking them home, and drinking way too much coffee.
She started out writing Star Trek fan fiction but has recently progressed to original stories for publication. She writes contemporary Scottish romance and science fiction romance. When the wet dreary weather in Scotland gets too much, she dreams of taking off in a space ship to find warmer climes. Who wants to go to a sunny country when you can head for a sunny planet?
Great interview, Krystal. Can't wait to read Highland Haven.
Great interview, Krystal. Can't wait to read Highland Haven.