25th
Oct
Oct
Today I’m excited to have author Kirsten McKenzie on the
Sunday’s Author Spotlight. Kirsten McKenzie is the author of the book ‘Fifteen
Postcards’, that was published on May 19th. This is an Historical Fiction
novel.
About the Book:
History shapes those who travel through it.
Following the unexplained disappearance of her parents,
and in a last ditch attempt to save the antique store she has inherited from
financial ruin, Sarah Lester takes on a deceased estate. Amongst the estate is
a collection of fifteen vintage postcards.
and in a last ditch attempt to save the antique store she has inherited from
financial ruin, Sarah Lester takes on a deceased estate. Amongst the estate is
a collection of fifteen vintage postcards.
Sarah is unprepared for what these postcards hint at about their reclusive
former owner, and soon they complicate her life in unimaginable ways.
Traversing three continents and two centuries, where tiger hunts and ruby
necklaces are irrevocably entwined with murders and mysteries, auction houses
and antiquities, Sarah is drawn into the enigma that could solve her parents’
disappearance.
Available in Kindle and paperback versions on Amazon.
Interview with Kirsten McKenzie:
Tell us a little more about who Kirsten McKenzie is?
I’m forty, and I’ve had two ‘real’ jobs in my life, the
first as a Customs Officer for twelve years – both in England and in New
Zealand. The second as an Antique Dealer in my family antique shop. I’m fortunate
to be able to honestly say that I’ve loved both jobs.
I don’t see writing as being a job. Not yet anyway. I’d love to be able to say
one day that writing is my third ‘real’ job. And I’m looking forward to that
day.
When did you decide you wanted to become an author and write your own book?
first as a Customs Officer for twelve years – both in England and in New
Zealand. The second as an Antique Dealer in my family antique shop. I’m fortunate
to be able to honestly say that I’ve loved both jobs.
I don’t see writing as being a job. Not yet anyway. I’d love to be able to say
one day that writing is my third ‘real’ job. And I’m looking forward to that
day.
When did you decide you wanted to become an author and write your own book?
When my youngest daughter was about to start school. Myfamily were all asking what I was going to do in my ‘spare time’… Bearing in
mind I was already working part time in the antique shop, and any parent can tell
you that ‘spare time’ is quickly filled with household chores. But in this
instance I announced that I was going to write a book. And so I sat down and
started writing one.
You are also an actor. Does being an actor help your work as an author?
You know, I believe it does. I can see a ‘scene’ in my
head and can run through it as though a director is giving me directions. I
think it’s been very beneficial. Since reading your question, it’s the first
time I’ve considered it that way! I’ve worked with some very talented
directors, and it’s their voices I hear in my head as I’m imagining my scenes.
head and can run through it as though a director is giving me directions. I
think it’s been very beneficial. Since reading your question, it’s the first
time I’ve considered it that way! I’ve worked with some very talented
directors, and it’s their voices I hear in my head as I’m imagining my scenes.
Tell us more about your novel ‘Fifteen Postcards’? How did you come to the idea
of writing this story?
It was a quiet day at work, we sometimes have those, it’s
the way of the retail world, and I was sorting through some stock which had
just come into the shop, including a pile of old postcards. In this particular
lot there were a numbered series of postcards from a soldier in WWI, written to
his mother. Although I don’t write about WWI in my book, the concept of a
series of postcards between two people, telling a story, was born.
the way of the retail world, and I was sorting through some stock which had
just come into the shop, including a pile of old postcards. In this particular
lot there were a numbered series of postcards from a soldier in WWI, written to
his mother. Although I don’t write about WWI in my book, the concept of a
series of postcards between two people, telling a story, was born.
What is the best thing that happened since your book came out?
There are three things:
1/ Reviews. Even the bad ones. They make my heart sing.
Someone has taken the time to read my book, and provide feedback.
Someone has taken the time to read my book, and provide feedback.
2/ The love I’ve received from my local library. I will
do everything in my power to support libraries. Such an essential service to
humanity.
do everything in my power to support libraries. Such an essential service to
humanity.
3/ The absolute support from other authors. I’ve neverknown another industry where your competitors are also your biggest champions.
It’s been an amazing experience.
Can you describe your writing process? Do you have any sort of ritual you
follow?
I’m what they call a ‘by the seat of your pants’ writer.
I’ve got no idea how it’s going to turn out or where it’s going to go until
I’ve written it. I make notes when and where ideas come to me, but everything I
write is entirely influenced by what I’m doing; what I’ve seen; or what I’ve
stumbled across at the time. For example, I’ve just helped a customer at work
find half a dozen old poison bottles, ones with the words “Not To Be
Taken” on them. Suddenly poison is appearing in the words I’m writing this
week. I’d never planned on poisoning any of my characters, but it’s their bad
luck that a jeweller in Auckland wanted poison bottles for a window display!
I’ve got no idea how it’s going to turn out or where it’s going to go until
I’ve written it. I make notes when and where ideas come to me, but everything I
write is entirely influenced by what I’m doing; what I’ve seen; or what I’ve
stumbled across at the time. For example, I’ve just helped a customer at work
find half a dozen old poison bottles, ones with the words “Not To Be
Taken” on them. Suddenly poison is appearing in the words I’m writing this
week. I’d never planned on poisoning any of my characters, but it’s their bad
luck that a jeweller in Auckland wanted poison bottles for a window display!
Are you a reader yourself? And what is your favorite book(s)?
Yes! I love reading. It’s a family trait. I went through
a period when my children were very little where I didn’t read very much, and I
felt empty. I’m making up for lost time now. My four favourite books, in no
particular order, are: Gone With The Wind; Five People You Meet In Heaven; A
Discovery Of Witches; A Suitable Boy. A very eclectic mix I know. Edward
Rutherfurds books are a must have on my bookshelf – I’ve loved every single one
of his epic tomes – Paris, London, Russka, Sarum.
a period when my children were very little where I didn’t read very much, and I
felt empty. I’m making up for lost time now. My four favourite books, in no
particular order, are: Gone With The Wind; Five People You Meet In Heaven; A
Discovery Of Witches; A Suitable Boy. A very eclectic mix I know. Edward
Rutherfurds books are a must have on my bookshelf – I’ve loved every single one
of his epic tomes – Paris, London, Russka, Sarum.
What are your future plans in writing?
I’m currently a third of the way through my next novel,
the sequel to ‘Fifteen Postcards’. Tentatively titled ‘The Last Letter’. This
is the story which involves poison…
the sequel to ‘Fifteen Postcards’. Tentatively titled ‘The Last Letter’. This
is the story which involves poison…
What would your advice be to new aspiring authors?
Two pieces of advice.
1/ Share your journey. One thing that kept me going wasthat I would periodically post a screenshot of my word count on Twitter and
Facebook, and my friends and followers would encourage me to carry on. They
were like my cheer squad.
2/ Just write. Initially I tried writing 1,000 words a
day. But you know what? That number can be very daunting. So I reduced it to
500 words a day. When I sit down to write, which isn’t every day – I have two
young children remember, I just try to write 500 words. Sometimes I’ll just
walk away from my computer as soon as I hit that magical number, even if it’s
in the middle of a sentence. Walking away mid-sentence gives me something meaty
to start with next time I sit down at my laptop.
day. But you know what? That number can be very daunting. So I reduced it to
500 words a day. When I sit down to write, which isn’t every day – I have two
young children remember, I just try to write 500 words. Sometimes I’ll just
walk away from my computer as soon as I hit that magical number, even if it’s
in the middle of a sentence. Walking away mid-sentence gives me something meaty
to start with next time I sit down at my laptop.
Giveaway:
About the Author:
Kirsten McKenzie has worked in her family’s antique storesince she was a toddler, where she has gone from being allowed to sell 50c
postcards in the corner of Antique Alley, a literal treasure trove, to selling
$5,000 Worcester vases. This is her first novel, and traverses London, India
and New Zealand. She lives in Auckland with her husband and two daughters.
For more information about Kirsten McKenzie please visit
her website, her book site, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
her website, her book site, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Maureen is a mom, wife, nurse, and Ravenclaw living in the Netherlands. She spends her days juggling mom-life, reading, blogging, planning date nights with her husband and working as a nurse. Maureen also is a big Anglophile, loves cooking, Gilmore Girls, Bridgerton and Harry Potter.. Always! Facebook | Instagram
Fascinating plot for a book – anything to do with antiques gets my interest, murder is a must for me so this ticks that box too. I love the way you write by the seat of your pants – so do I. I really wish you much success with your next book, and of course, with this. Travel broadens the mind and the imagination. It seems to have worked for you. Good luck 🙂
Thank you for stopping by 😉
I love the vintage postcards theme, sounds like it would be a mysterious and exciting read.
It looks great right?! I love the look.. and it really does sound like an exciting one.