Member Spotlight: Kelly Fitzpatrick
Author: Jody Wallace
Original Publication Date in Love Notes: January 2009

Q. We’re so glad to have you as a member of MCRW.  Are you a native of Nashville or somewhere else? If somewhere else, where, and how did you end up here?

A. I've never been to Nashville.  I live in Bremerton (a ferry ride from Seattle), WA.  I live close enough to walk to the ferry and go to Seattle...and, yet, I never do.

Q. What made you decide to try your hand at writing romance novels? 

A. I don't have an easy answer to the "why" of writing.  I got a story stuck in my head and couldn't get rid of it until I wrote it down.  Writing it down just made room for more stories.  Surprisingly, my head holds alot of stories.

Q. Tell us about your "WIP" or work-in-progress?  What in specific do you write?

A. Everything is a WIP until it's published.  I write Romantic/Suspense chicklit.  But I have tried my hand at Historicals (just because you like to read 'em - doesn't mean you should write 'em).  I have written some light paranormal and a YA.  I like Single Title length.  It seems I can't write anything short.  My biggest obsticle is grammar, puntuation, spelling as you can clearly see.

Q: How do you balance your writing with your other responsibilities? (Yes, as always, I'm looking for tips...)

A. I try not to have any other responsibilities.  I don't know how people with small children can write.

Q. What do you do when you're not writing?  Do you have a "day" job, hobbies, obsessions? Also, do you have children, pets, plants, a spouse, dust bunnies, a thimble collection or anything like that?

A. I have 2 grown children, 1 granddaughter, 2 dogs, 1 Russian Tortoise (Ivan), and a husband that will never grow up.  I have a messy house and a neglected yard.  If I had small children, they would be neglected too.  I work part-time (for my sanity).

Q. What are some of your favorite books, romance and other?

A. I spend more time writing than reading.  I like Janet Evanovich, John Grisham, Tim Dorsey, and Linda Howard.  It's tough to get on my "must" read list.  Other than them, I read stuff that people recommend, or hand off to me, or I get at yard sales.  We have a book exchange at work etc...I am always searching for my next "must" read author.

Q. If you could go on a dream vacation anywhere in the world on someone else's perfectly legitimate dime, where would you go, who would you take, and what would you do? 

A. For some reason, ever since I saw Under the Tuscan Sun, I have wanted to go to Italy.  I used to work for a major airline and then I was a travel agent.  I traveled alot, and I sort of just want to stay home now.  I have created a little oasis in my back yard with a pond/fountain and we have a view of the Puget Sound water, and that's where I am (weather permitting - June thru Aug).  But if someone else is paying - I'd go to Italy.

Q: Tell us a secret!

A. I don't have any secrets.  Writing used to be my secret...until my husband outted me to everyone (friends, family, total strangers).

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