For all that is good and holy in the world, what possessed you to become an author?
Telling stories is fun, I love reading, and I’m an excellent typist. (My first two books were done on an IBM Selectric.) Also, I wanted a job that left ample time to stay home and play with my kids.
How did you conceive the idea for your latest novel?
The Girl Who… Those three words start the titles of a series of novels I’m writing for Harlequin Intrigue—probably my favorite series. The heroine in each book experienced a devastating trauma in her past. The Girl Who Couldn’t Forget was kidnapped. The Girl Who Knew Too Much landed in witness protection. My focus is not on their tragic pasts, but on their hopeful futures and how they learn to cope. These books celebrate survivors.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I’m a plotter who is dedicated to the logical unfolding of the story. However, I envy the freedom of being a pantser. I love those moments of unbridled creativity when words just flow, even if I have to delete most of them.
Which kind of taco or pizza would you be?
Chocolate. That’s right, chocolate pizza and tacos on flour tortillas. Yum.
Describe your entire catalog of books in a single sentence.
Romantic suspense: Kiss kiss, bang bang, and they lived happily ever after.
If you had to start your career over again from scratch, what would you do differently?
I wouldn’t use a pen name. I’d pay much more attention to contests, career building, social media, and the sale of ebooks.
What is your favorite thing about RMFW?
Other writers. Not only are writers more interesting than civilians, but nobody else can really understand how much angst can be spent on a plot point or a character’s name. Critique groups make me focus on what I’m writing and are an inestimable source of inspiration and critical analysis.
Tongue-Tied, Kay Bergstrom’s first Harlequin Temptation, was published in September of 1984. Since then, she’s sold 87 books, two audio plays, two screenplay treatments, and some short stories. Writing as Cassie Miles, she’s been on bestseller lists, notably the USA Today list. And she’s won awards, including RMFW Writer of the Year (twice), the Jasmine Award, and the Founding Member Award. She’s served every position on the RMFW board and run the Colorado Gold conference.
The past couple of years have been rough due to health problems and a slowdown in royalties. Kay’s contracts have been few and far between. She considered “retirement,” but she’s not qualified to do anything but write. She turned to RMFW. Her friends and critique groups offered the kind of insane support that non-writers can’t comprehend. She got a new idea for a series, wrote and rewrote the proposals, and finally submitted them. This month, she’s happy to say she was offered a three-book contract and is now employed, baby!
It’s time for her to make a comeback, and she’s determined to learn how to self-pub, promote, and become competent online. Thanks, RMFW.
87 books! Kay, you’re amazing! I’ve had the privilege of being in your critique group for many years. You’re a wizard with plot and craft. You’re a relaxed, entertaining workshop presenter, and generous with your time and knowledge. Congrats on your bestseller achievements and your spanking new contracts, and on being a finalist for Writer of the Year, so richly deserved. And an IBM Selectric??? Ack! I remember those!