Interviewing Author Kimberly Griggs
Q1. Tell me about yourself?
A. My name is Kimberly Griggs, and I reside in the shadows of D.C. where the traffic is terrible, but the things to do are abundant. I’ve been married to my best friend for almost 24 years. We were babies when we tied the knot, obviously. ☺ We have two teenage boys who are the greatest kids alive, and our family life ventures toward the wacky and zany most days. I love the outdoors! Paddleboarding and kayaking on the lake with my husband is my favorite pastime in the summer. We also sing and make music together regularly and recently started writing our own songs. I’m originally from the Atlanta area and love going back to our North Georgia hometown when we’re able. And most recently, I’ve adopted a ton of plants and a window birdfeeder that I obsess over constantly. My grandmother would be proud if they could see me now! Like Mallory Hemingway, I’m always on a mission to find adventure, but also like Mallory Hemingway adventure seems to always find me.
Q2.What are your favorite books to read?
A. I have a pretty broad taste in books. Usually, I want some sort of romantic element in the stories I choose, but it doesn’t have to be the main theme. I read lots of cozies and romantic suspense because that’s what I write. I also read some historical romance, romantic comedies, and I even have a tropical thriller in my possession. It’s probably easier to tell you what I don’t like and mainly that’s anything that is tragic and sad. I read to escape, and tragedy is everywhere, so I definitely don’t want to read about it in a book. If it’s going to make me cry, I won’t pick it up.
Q3. When did you decide you were going to write a book?
A. I wrote my first romance story in fourth grade. It was about a girl named Katie who loved a guy named Steve. Steve was a bad boy who rode a motorcycle, and Katie was a good girl who loved him. Steve dies in the end, and Katie promises to love him forever. My fourth-grade teacher thought the subject matter was a little concerning, but my parents didn’t blink an eye. ☺ I wrote some in high school and even a little in college, but it wasn’t until my husband and I came up with a novel idea that I started to try my hand again at writing. That book has yet to be written, but it’s on the list! Still, life has a way of getting in the way, and I met one of my best friends who encouraged me to get the words on paper. So about five years ago, I started writing, sought out mentors, and finally penned my first co-written novel.
Q4. How did you come up with the name of your book?
A. The titles for the Deadly Paradise Mystery Series are all spin-offs of Hemingway titles. Since Mallory Hemingway is a distant relative, and the location is Key West, Hemingway is a silent character in all of the books. Each chapter begins with a Hemingway quote which gives Ernest a voice in whatever shenanigans Mallory finds herself in. Farewell to Murder is based on A Farewell To Arms. Death at First Night is based on True at First Light, Murder also Rises is based on The Sun Also Rises. I have several more picked out! Can’t wait to use them. ☺
Q5. What are you working on for 2021
A. Oh man, do I have a full plate!! I have lots planned for 2021, and not enough years to get through them. Another Deadly Paradise book for sure is hopefully coming out this summer. I also am in the preliminary stage of plotting out a romantic suspense series. And finally, I have a paranormal cozy mystery series in the works as well. The goal is to have 6 books out in 2021 and so far, I’ve written 2.
Q6. How long have you been writing?
A. I’ve been writing for about five years. And I just celebrated my one-year anniversary of trying to make this work full time. It’s a slow process, but there is nothing else I’d rather do than write books.
Q7.What advice would you give other authors?
A. To celebrate all the little wins. This business can be brutal but also so rewarding. Each milestone you hit is a win! Celebrate them. Secondly, I’d say get the words on paper. Even if they’re not perfect, you can always go back and fix what you don’t like. But sometimes it’s cathartic just to get the words out and not get hung up on penning the perfect sentence.
Q8. Where can people find you online?
A. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kgriggsauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlygriggsauthor/
Website: https://www.kimberlygriggsauthor.com
I’m also on Goodreads and Bookbub as Kimberly Griggs.
Q9. What is your favorite coffee drink?
A. Ok, don’t hate me, but I cannot stand coffee. I love the smell but have never been able to tolerate the taste. I have something in common with my main character, Mallory Hemingway, in that my morning cup of Joe is actually a large Diet Coke from Mc Donald’s!
Q10. What is your favorite coffee shop?
A.McDonald’s. ☺ Since I don’t drink coffee, I don’t really do coffee shops very much.
Q11. Do you plan on making a new book in the future?
A. I have a cowritten 5 book romantic suspense series coming out in a few weeks. It’s a bit different from my cozies, as it delves into darker themes and is more centrally focused on the romance element. I also am planning another romantic suspense series, a paranormal cozy series, and at least one more Deadly Paradise book. ☺
Q12. How many books have you written?
A. I have written ten books that have or will have my name on them. I have another five that I did some ghostwriting. So fifteen total! Wow! I haven’t counted them, so it’s pretty cool to see that.
Q13. Did you go to college to be a writer?
A. No. I went to college right after high school and changed my major about six times. I could never really land on what I wanted to do, so I stopped attending and focused on having a family. The plan was always to go back, but once kids came and I started writing, the desire to go back has dwindled. I’m happy doing what I’m doing, and I don’t have any desire to finish a degree at this time. Maybe one day.
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