Kim Baccellia has always been a sucker for the paranormal. She blames it on her families’ love for such things such as having picnics at cemeteries, visiting psychics, and reading her mother’s copies of the daily horoscope. She even had her own horoscope column in middle school, which was a big hit! Kim’s other works include the poem, “My Father”, which appears in the anthology Mind Mutations, published by The Sun Rising Press. Her essay about the adoption of her son, Finally, Our Turn, appeared in Adoptive Families magazine. Her YA multicultural fantasy, Earrings of Ixtumea, is published by Virtual Tales and available now at Amazon. A member of SCBWI, Kim is currently writing the sequel to Crossed Out, her latest paranormal young adult fiction novel. She’s also putting the finishing touches on an upper MG fantasy No Goddesses Allowed. She lives in Southern California with her husband and son.
You can visit her website at www.kim-baccellia.com.
Q: It’s rare today to find an author who does nothing but write for a living. Do you have a ‘real’ job other than writing, and if so, what is it? What are some other jobs you’ve had in your life? Have they influenced/inspired your writing?
I taught in a public school for fifteen years and then decided to stay home with son and write. When I was a teacher I loved teaching writer’s workshop. My kids did too! So I decided to take my own advice and write. I’m also homeschooling my son. Guess what he loves to do?
Q: What compelled you to write your first book?
Being a bilingual teacher and not finding any true multicultural characters. There were a few but not many. I also was searching for my own Mexican roots.
Q: Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Yes. But I was worried it wouldn’t pay the bills so I ended up graduating in elementary education with a business minor. Only later did I return to the university and try my hand at writing.
Q: Tell us briefly about your book.
Stephanie Stewart has a little extracurricular activity—she’s a rescuer—someone who helps murdered girls cross to the other side. Then Allison, her first rescue, reappears warning her of danger. Things will never be the same.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
I’m finishing the revision of my YA fantasy/romance NO GODDESSES ALLOWED. I’m also working on the sequel to CROSSED OUT.
Q: Do you have a favourite character? Why is s/he your favourite?
I love the courage and determination of Stephanie. Yes, she has some ‘tude but so did I at that age.
Q: How did you feel the day you held the copy of your first book in your hands?
Very surreal. I couldn’t believe I’d actually had written and published a book.
Q: What type of music, if any, do you listen to while you write? Do you need the noise or the silence?
I usually like the silence. I work best in the early morning without any distractions.
Q: If you could live in one of your books, which one would you live in? (If you’re promoting your first publication, feel free to talk about an unpublished piece.)
I’d love to visit Ixtumea and have my own hottie warrior to protect me.
Q: How do you balance out the writer’s life and the rest of life? Do you get up early? Stay up late? Ignore friends and family for certain periods of time?
I say ‘no’ a lot. I also get up early.
Q: The main characters of your stories – do you find that you put a little of yourself into each of them or do you create them to be completely different from you?
Yes. When I was a teen I often was told I had mega attitude.
Q: Is there an established writer you admire and emulate in your own writing? Do you have a writing mentor?
Right now my writing mentor has been the YA author Joyce Sweeney. She’s given me great feedback and advice. When I first started writing it was my UCI extension professor Lou Nelson who helped me with the whole writing process.
Q: When growing up, did you have a favorite author, book series, or book?
Favorite series had to be Trixie Belden. Also loved Sara Crewe.
Q: What about now: who is your favorite author and what is your favorite genre to read?
Love Meg Cabot, Diana Gabaldon, Orson Scot Card, Ellen Hopkins, just to name a few.
Q: What is your writing space like? Do you have a designated space? What does it look like? On the couch, laptop, desk? Music? Lighting? Typing? Handwriting?
I have my own writing loft. I fill it with items that reflect the book I’m currently working on. Right now I have Audrey Hepburn movie posters and books. I also have Egyptian items that include books, Hathor things, and incense that my sister sent me from Egypt.
Q: Is there anything you’d go back and do differently now that you have been published, in regards to your writing career?
I’d be more patient and not be in such a hurry to get published.
Q: Do you have any book signings, tours or special events planned to promote your book that readers might be interested in attending? If so, when and where?
I’m part of the Traveling ARC blogging tour. http://travelingarc.bookblather.net/2010/06/crossed-out-by-kim-baccellia/
I also plan to have a contest to give away a signed copy of CROSSED OUT.
In October I plan to tie in the Halloween season with CROSSED OUT and have another fun contest on my Live Journal blog to win a book and other CROSSED OUT swag.
Q: It’s one thing to write a book and another to edit it. How do you feel about the editing process? What was it like to edit your book?
For CROSSED OUT it was very intense. I had a first round of edits. Then copyedits. Another round of edits. And then yet another round before it went off to the press. Though intense, I enjoyed the process.
Now, use this space to tell us more about who you. Anything you want your readers to know. Include information on where to find your books, any blogs you may have, or how a reader can learn more about you and writing.
Kim’s other works include the poem, “My Father”, which appears in the anthology Mind Mutations, published by The Sun Rising Press. Her essay about the adoption of her son, Finally, Our Turn, appeared in Adoptive Families magazine. Her YA multicultural fantasy, EARRINGS OF IXTUMEA, is published by Virtual Tales and available now at Amazon.
A member of SCBWI, Kim is currently writing the sequel to CROSSED OUT. She’s also putting the finishing touches on an YA fantasy NO GODDESSES ALLOWED. She lives in Southern California with her husband and son.
CROSSED OUT is available on my publisher’s site:
http://www.lachesispublishing.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Crossed%5FOut
And on Amazon.
My website is www.kim-baccellia.com
11:41 am on August 26th, 2010 1
Terrific interview, Kim!! Good luck with the rest of your tour! It’s been a blast following you on it