K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational romance and romantic suspense. Mistaken Identity, her first young adult romance released on June 15 from Desert Breeze Publishing. Queen of Hearts, a WWII romantic suspense released in April 2010 and was the bestselling book for her publisher during its debut month. Killing Time, a contemporary romantic suspense, will be released August 1, also with Desert Breeze Publishing.
K. Dawn Byrd is an avid blogger and gives away several books per week on her blog at www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com, most of which are signed by the authors. She’s also the moderator of the popular Facebook Christian Fiction Gathering group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=128209963444.
When not reading or writing, K. Dawn Byrd enjoys spending time with her husband of 16 years while walking their dogs beside a gorgeous lake near her home and plotting the next story waiting to be told.
Q & A
KAZMAIER: I don’t read much adolescent Romance and yet as a writer, I have to write realistically about people of all ages. I learned a great deal about modern adolescent social interactions from reading your book. Where did you get your insights that enabled you to construct characters that are true to life?
BYRD: I enjoy reading young adult fiction. This keeps me up to date with the reality of modern day teenage life. My stepdaughter, Brittany, is twenty-one and devours young adult romance. She’s not been out of high school so long that she’s lost touch with that age group. She was a good sounding board while I was writing.![MistakenIdentityCoverArt[1] (2) MistakenIdentityCoverArt[1] (2)](http://peterkazmaier.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/MistakenIdentityCoverArt1-2.jpg)
KAZMAIER: Dawn, by all accounts Romance is one of the hottest selling novel markets, particularly in the realm of Christian fiction. Your own novel, from the characterization, is directed toward young adult readers. What are your readers looking for?
BYRD: I believe Christian readers are looking for clean romance that’s entertaining. In addition, Christian readers are looking for manuscripts that glorify God and characters who aren’t perfect and are growing in some aspects of their faith.
KAZMAIER: I was intrigued by the detailed picture you painted of the social interactions of modern adolescents. Communication technology advances play a major role in these interactions. How has technology changed the way modern teenagers relate to one another when compared to previous generations? What changes have most profoundly influenced modern teenagers?
BYRD: I believe texting is an addiction, not only for young adults, but for some adults. I’ve found that it’s an easy way to keep in touch with family members who live out of town and my husband who works out of town during the day even if it’s just to tell him I love him.
KAZMAIER: In one of my favorite lines in the book, “the boy next door” Channing, the love interest of Eden, says:
“I am interested in a girl that’s as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.”
How do you think Hollywood would react to that statement?
BYRD: I don’t think that statement would go over too well in Hollywood because the entire industry is based on the physical…model slim beauties who are beautiful to the eye, but some are pretty rotten on the inside. Just turn on the TV or read the Yahoo home page to see what I mean.
KAZMAIER: Two themes that emerged for me from the book were courage and communication. So many of the interpersonal problems encountered could have been avoided if either Channing or Eden had had the courage to speak forthrightly rather than worrying about how the words might affect their important relationships. Do we adults say what we think, especially in conversation with people who matter most to us? Have you gleaned any insights on the importance of courage and communication in interpersonal relationships?
BYRD: I cringe to think of the men and women who really love each other and don’t take a chance, those who are afraid of putting their feelings out there because of past rejection or emotional pain. I believe that love is worth a chance. Life is too short not to let someone know how you feel.
KAZMAIER: Dawn I have very much enjoyed interviewing you today. I wish you every success with Mistaken Identity and your future books. And to my blog visitors, I urge you to find more information about Dawn and Mistaken Identity by using the links below.
Thanks for reading,
Peter
http://peterkazmaier.com/
Links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geWeGQ6Ueu4
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-178/K-Dawn-Byrd-Mistaken/Detail.bok
www.kdawnbyrd.com