Texas Author Kathleen M. Rodgers Uses Military in Writing
Hi! I am Carolyn Howard Johnson, your trusty New Book Review blogger and author of the multi award-winning HowTo Do It Frugally Series of books for writers. This blog has heretofore been exclusive for reviews but I thought I’d do a special series of interviews after I chatted with Jeanie Loiacono, President of Loiacono Literary Agency – Where ‘can’t’ is not in our vocabulary! I thought sharing the interviews would help the many subscribers and visitors to this New Book Review blog, including authors, reviewers, and, of course, readers who just might find a new favorite author among the featured books and authors.
So, today welcome Kathleen M. Rodgers.
Kathleen M. Rodgers
“Being a writer, that’s my job. At book signings and presentations, I am an author.
But when I am working, I am a writer.”
— Kathleen M. Rodgers
Texas based author Kathleen M. Rodgers is a former frequent contributor to Family Circle Magazine and Military Times. Her work has also appeared in anthologies published by McGraw-Hill, University of Nebraska Press/Potomac Books, Health Communications, Inc., AMG Publishers, and Press 53.
She is the author of the award-winning novel, The Final Salute, featured in USA Today, The Associated Press, and Military Times. Deer Hawk Publications reissued the novel in e-book and paperback in 2014.
Her second novel, Johnnie Come Lately (Camel Press, 2015), was the winner of the Best Covers Award from Southern Writers Magazine, and has been featured in Stars & Stripes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and on “The Author’s Corner” on Public Radio.
Rodgers is the mother of two grown sons: Thomas, a graduate of University of North Texas and a working artist in Denton, Texas, and J.P., a graduate of Texas Tech University and a former Army officer who earned a Bronze Star in 2014 in Afghanistan. Kathleen and her husband, Tom, a retired USAF fighter pilot/commercial airline pilot, reside in Colleyville, Texas with their rescue dog, Denton. Kathleen is working on the sequel to Johnnie Come Lately, Seven Wings to Glory.
1. What is your genre? Is it fiction or nonfiction? Contemporary fiction
2. What made you want to be a writer? I am one of six children, the third one down. I became a writer to have a VOICE.
3. Of all the authors out there, who inspired you most? Southern novelists Pat Conroy and Mark Childress and the late novelist, Carol Shields. I admired how she wrote about day-to-day family matters in a dramatic style. She made the ordinary look extraordinary.
4. What is your writing style? Do you outline? Linearly? By scene? Why? My process is messy. I think in scenes, and sometimes those scenes appear in my mind out of sequence. Sometimes I write them first then go back and write other scenes that precede them. Other times, I’ll jot a few notes. I think and speak in circles so it makes sense that the story often appears to me this way.
5. Do you write every day? How much? How long? I used to write nearly every day when I was younger, but the older I get, I sometimes take days off to “think” about the story. While I’m thinking and daydreaming, I read, clean house, run errands I’ve put off, check on loved ones far away. But if I’m on deadline, I write all hours with little regard for the clock or calendar.
6. Do you think reading is as important to writing for an author? Why? Reading is essential if you want to be a writer.
7. What are some of the things you would like to share with budding authors? Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Let trusted beta readers look over your work. Attend a critique group and get another pair of eyes on your work. You’ll know if it’s a good fit. Sometimes it takes 24 hours for a critical remark or suggestion to set in. Use what works and discard the rest.
8. Do you have any marketing and promotional advice, referrals, tips you would like to share? The moment you promote yourself on social media, turn around and promote two or three other authors in various genres. By showcasing other authors and putting them in the spotlight, it can help take the “glare” off of your own self-promotion.
9. Do you think conferences are beneficial? If so, what have you learned? Which ones do you frequent? Yes, attending writing conferences are some of the best ways to network with fellow writers, agents, editors and sometimes readers. I’ve attended Military Writers Society of America’s annual conference for years, the Houston Writers Guild April conference, Ozarks Writers League conference in Branson, MO, a couple of local and regional conferences in the North Texas area, and a Romance Writers of America conference on novel writing held in Alexandria, LA in 1992.
10. Where can we find you, your books and when is your next event? I love to engage with my readers and followers on Facebook and other social media outlets. My books are available at all of the online book retailers. I just returned from the Ozarks Writers League November conference in Branson, MO where I spoke on perseverance and writing through adversity. With a looming deadline for my next novel, I’m cutting back on events for a while. www.kathleenMRodgers.com http://siteblog.kathleenmrodgers.com
Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency, Jeanie Loiacono http://www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com/authors/kathleen-m-rodgers/
MORE ABOUT THE SPONSORING AGENT
Jeanie Loiacono, President, Loiacono Literary Agency
A facilitator of dreams, Jeanie Loiacono represents over eighty authors. Her forte is mystery, romance, thrillers, historical/military/southern fiction, and all quality fiction/nonfiction. Her passion is to see her authors succeed.“There is nothing more rewarding than to hold one of my author’s books and know I helped bring it to fruition. I am so blessed and privileged to be able to work with some of the most talented writers in the world.” Jeanie.L@llallc.net www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE INTERVIEWS--TO FIND GREAT READING OR TO NETWORK WITH AUTHORS--PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG. YOU ARE A WELCOME ADDITION TO THIS FAMILY WHO LOVES BOOKS! YOU'LL FIND A WINDOW TO DO THIS AT THE TOP OF THIS BLOG PAGE.
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
LA Reviewer Craves More in Contemporary Fiction Series
Title: Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged [All’s Not Fair in Love or War]
Author: Marlan Warren
Where to buy (Kindle E-Book Only): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TYKV5ZG
Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction
ASIN: B00TYKV5ZG
Publisher: Roadmap Girl Publications
Reviewed by Barbara Tira originally for L.A. Now and Then blog
When I found "Roadmaps," I put down the best-seller-turned-movie I was reading at the time, so I could savor Ms. Warren's story until the very end. As a longtime Los Angeleno, I was immediately drawn back into the lifestyle, loves, and struggles in the expansive, diverse, and incomparable Los Angeles of 20 years ago, the likes of which is just a memory today. But whose emotions, challenges, and successes remain Universal.
This novel/memoir is for anyone who has ever known the epitome of joy and the profound depths of despair. For those who have loved passionately, and for those whose hearts have been trampled to shreds. For those who have found, or for those who are still seeking the strength and spirit to rise again.
I eagerly await the sequel! I want more!!!!!
-----
Amazon Reviewer Samara Calls Jukebox Astonishingly Good!
Title : Jukebox
Genre : Crime Satire Literary Fiction Contemporary
ISBN-13: 978-1508460053
ASIN: B00TISPEJ2
Available for Kindle
Author's Website
originally for Amazon
It's been a long time since I picked up a book and was knocked off balance by a writer who is so talented that she takes your breath away. In the first few opening lines Viola punches you in the face with her unabashed and swaggering prose; this is a writer who is so fresh she feels like an adrenaline injection.
There is something exciting about her writing style, direct, fast and street style sassy! Jukebox gripped me from the very beginning; I loved every minute of reading about these people who in turn sicken me with their vile behaviours yet still manage to engage my imagination and delight me with voyeuristic pleasure.
The attention to detail is stunning; she has succeeded in making her all of her characters ridiculous yet real at the same time. The accuracy is not only with the way she dresses and describes them; it is present in their diction and turn of phrase.
Benjamin Zephaniah describes her as having a beautiful and twisted imagination; she is also a proficient story teller and like Zephaniah her writing is gritty, realistic and unafraid.
Now and again fiction comes along that is not just a book; it's a text, a little piece of history reflecting the society from which it was produced. Jukebox is about a city of players from all walks of life, self-obsessed, greedy and manipulative, a satirical viewpoint of our own selfish, social media obsessed society.
I can remember the first time I read Toni Morrison and Arundhati Roy, that feeling that you are in the presence of genius, a writer who is magnificently gifted and no matter how hard you tried you would never even come close to being able to write like this. I already know this is a book I will return to and read again.
Ultimately Viola has created a satire that is so bloody British you expect Vinnie Jones to appear in the pages, if it were a film it would be directed by Guy Ritchie and would be set to a John Murphy soundtrack.
Expect to hear good things about Saira Viola; Jukebox is a work that will be talked about, a contender for the Booker... Absolutely! Although I suspect with Saira Viola the best is yet to come.
There is something exciting about her writing style, direct, fast and street style sassy! Jukebox gripped me from the very beginning; I loved every minute of reading about these people who in turn sicken me with their vile behaviours yet still manage to engage my imagination and delight me with voyeuristic pleasure.
The attention to detail is stunning; she has succeeded in making her all of her characters ridiculous yet real at the same time. The accuracy is not only with the way she dresses and describes them; it is present in their diction and turn of phrase.
Benjamin Zephaniah describes her as having a beautiful and twisted imagination; she is also a proficient story teller and like Zephaniah her writing is gritty, realistic and unafraid.
Now and again fiction comes along that is not just a book; it's a text, a little piece of history reflecting the society from which it was produced. Jukebox is about a city of players from all walks of life, self-obsessed, greedy and manipulative, a satirical viewpoint of our own selfish, social media obsessed society.
I can remember the first time I read Toni Morrison and Arundhati Roy, that feeling that you are in the presence of genius, a writer who is magnificently gifted and no matter how hard you tried you would never even come close to being able to write like this. I already know this is a book I will return to and read again.
Ultimately Viola has created a satire that is so bloody British you expect Vinnie Jones to appear in the pages, if it were a film it would be directed by Guy Ritchie and would be set to a John Murphy soundtrack.
Expect to hear good things about Saira Viola; Jukebox is a work that will be talked about, a contender for the Booker... Absolutely! Although I suspect with Saira Viola the best is yet to come.
MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Copyright © C-buk2016
