Welcome KT, Tell us about yourself?
I
am an evangelist. I live in the Washington, DC area. I have a master’s degree
in counseling.
Tell our
readers about your journey to writing
My journey is different from others. I
never wanted to be a writer. One day I was having a life moment and I just
started writing to relieve stress. Out of that moment in my life God birthed
Lady Preacher, The Long Ride Home, The Veil, and Sunday Morning Blues.
God then connected me to people in the
industry and I was able to get my first book deal.
Tell us about
your journey becoming a successfully published author
When I was eighteen years old,
Pulitzer Prize winning author Eudora Welty told me that I was going to be a
writer. I laughed in disbelief. Over
twenty years later, I wrote my first novel, Lady Preacher. I received coaching
from Victoria Christopher Murray. She
gave me sound advice and assisted me with finding an editor, a publisher and
marketing for my book. I followed her
instructions and did not have any problems getting my first book deal.
It is the readers who kept me in the
industry. I became very ill after Lady Preacher was published. The readers kept me encouraged and helped me
get through that time in my life. I believe God gave me the ability to tell a
story. The publishers and editors made me a writer. But, it’s the readers who
make me an author. I’m very thankful.
How do you balance your life as an author with your duties
as a business person, employee, parent and/or spouse?
I
love to tell people I write Christian romance novels. They find it so fascinating. As a minister, I
have spoken to many women’s and singles’ groups. My writing helps me with that
ministry. It opens up dialogue and allows me to minister in ways I never
imagined. My writing is my ministry and
there’s no conflict. My daughter is grown and I’m single so I can basically
make my own schedule.
I
find time every morning for mind, body and spirit. I read the Bible, which relaxes me. I try to
exercise daily. I listen to many different genres of music.
What was the best writing-related advice you ever received?
The
best writing-related advice I have received came from Victoria. She advised me to have my novel edited before
I sent it to a publisher. I have found
this advice to be invaluable.
Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book?
My
latest book is The Veil. It is a story
about a young lady, Misha, who enters the ministry. Unknown to her Pastor, she
has the gift of prophetic vision. Once
her gift becomes apparent, she is kicked out of the church. She begins a
journey of self-discovery until an unplanned pregnancy stops her in her tracks.
She struggles find a balance in her ministry, personal life and her personal
relationship with God.
How did you come up with the idea
for your book?
I
came up with the idea when someone asked me if I was born with a veil. I had
never heard of anything like that. I asked one of the church mothers and she
explained to me what it meant. Then, the story just poured out.
What was the most difficult aspect of writing this book?
The
most difficult part of writing this book was trying to explain spiritual gifts
without it appearing weird or spooky.
What’s ahead for your writing?
I
look forward to releasing a new series next year. I am also adapting two of my
novels for screenplays.
How can people connect with you? List
links
Twitter @Author K T Richey
Where can readers purchase copies of your books?
My
books can be purchased wherever books are sold:
Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, Amazon.com and Black
Expressions.com
Character Interview: The Veil
Please tell the readers who are the main characters?
Misha
Halloway is a twenty-three year old teacher who lives in the suburbs of
Atlanta. She was born with a veil which was a sign of prophetic insight.
Bernard
Taylor is a twenty-five year old gospel music superstar. Born in an affluent
family, he struggles with his identity and faith.
What is the conflict in the story?
Because
of Misha’s gift she is not accepted by the church. She struggles to find a
church or minister who can teach her about the gift and her ministry. She
endures trial after trial until she gets pregnant.
Which characters in “are you most like?
Misha and I are both ministers.
Take us inside “your book” What are two
major events taking place?
Misha is kicked out of the church once she reveals a
secret about the pastor. This leads her
on a path that is directed by the Holy Spirit. She endures trials until she is
no longer able to minister in the traditional way.
Are your characters from the portrayal
of real people?
I grew up around a large number of
women in ministry in the Pentecostal church. However, my characters are fictional.
In writing your novels, how do you develop the plot?
I
usually write to relax. Therefore, I don’t plot my stories. I just sit down at
the computer and start typing. Sometimes, my characters will not let me sleep
and I have spent many nights on the computer telling their stories. If I get stuck on a scene, I ask God what the
character is doing or trying to say and it usually flows from there.
Did you have difficulty keeping the story on point?
Not
really.
How much research was required, if any?
Thus
far, I haven’t had to do much research in my writing. So far I have written
what I am familiar with; ministry, law, medical and music.
