RIM's Author of the Month for September-
AUTHOR KITTY K. FREE
1. Tell us a little about you.
I’m a South Bronx native that loves to write and draw. I’m an only child, though life has blessed with two people that I call my sister and brother. The most interesting thing about me is that I wrote a novel about female masturbation. Other than that, I’m pretty boring.
2. How did you choose the genre you write in?
I didn’t necessarily choose a genre. I know about being a woman, so I write about it. I do so in a few different genres. My first published novel is contemporary female fiction; however, I’m working on a few sci-fi projects. I love creating worlds. My intention is that no matter the genre, I’ll have a female heroine. I like working with the theme of women coming into their own, and taking control of their lives.
My published novel, despite its title, is not erotic.
3. Do you work with an outline, or just write? Why do you choose this method to write your books?
I’ve tried using an outline, but I work better without one, so I just write. I have a hard time with structure period (in many facets of my life). It’s easier for me to just go. I usually have a theme, and I just work on keeping that in mind as I’m writing. After I’m done with my first draft, I’ll jot down an outline to maintain continuity–basically so I don’t lose myself in the story, and so I don’t trip over anything. For the most part, I just go for it. I’ve read some experts say that it takes longer to write that way, because of the lack of organization. I don’t mind. I have to feel pleasure when I write, because if I do, I hope the audience will feel pleasure when they read it. Too much organization does not make me feel good. It would feel like a job, instead of just work. I don’t mind working, but I don’t like jobs.
4. If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you would change?
I would’ve worked closer with my editor. I would get one that lives within driving distance. I’m still in the process of learning a lot, so there are areas where I’m sure I’m messing up, that I’m not even aware it of yet (the blissful ignorance of being a novice).
Getting published was fairly easy, since I’m an indie author/publisher. Much easier than it would’ve been a few years ago. You just need lots of patience. Doesn’t take much money. Now, that’s just the publishing part. The actual marketing and reaching your audience is hard. I’m a very shy person, so reaching my audience may be harder than for someone with more chutzpah.
5. Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
I’m working on a sequel to Confessions of a Serial Masturbator, as well as somewhat of a prequel, about the main character, Breezy Deigh. I’m also working on a series about an island of folks off the coast of South Carolina, which will have somewhat of a mystic feel to it. Aside from that, there are two other sci-fi series that I’m laying the ground work for as well.
6. Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?
In Confessions… the main character has a set of friends that I’m going to delve into a little more, in the prequel and the sequel.
I have ideas for some graphic novels that I’d like to collaborate with someone on. I can draw, but I’d like to work with someone much more skilled than myself. I’m obsessed with zombies, so I’m pretty sure I’ll be releasing some kind of zombie work.
7. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
The toughest criticism has honestly been from me. Outside of that, a few people have commented about the title, and the cover. A little too risqué. But my mother is cool with it so…. With a title that has the word “masturbator” in it, I have to expect some disapproval. But still, those who said something about the cover and/or title enjoyed the book. A friend told me she didn’t like my pseudonym. She said something along the lines of, “Do you think Oprah’s going to interview you with a name like Kitty K. Free?” I don’t know; maybe if she read the book she might.
I’ve received so much positive feedback, that I can’t narrow it down to the best. One that struck me was a review on Amazon from a reader who said, she had to put the book down because she didn’t think she could get through it, due to the subject matter. By the end of the review she said, “In the end, you'll be sitting in complete awe.” Another reviewer said that every woman she should read it. I agree with her:).
8. Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
I’m still an aspiring writer myself. I’m not anywhere yet. I guess I’d say, just believe in yourself; have a good team of loyal friends around you. If not, then team “me, myself & I” works fine too. Learn your craft. You don’t have to know everything about writing, but know a lot about it. Don’t be stubborn and think you know everything. Read a lot, and never stop learning. As for specific writing advice; I’ve been told writers should write every day. I don’t write every day. Not on paper anyway. All those thoughts about your stories in your mind are part of the writing process. And don’t take too much advice. There are so many ways to live this life we have. Listen, and keep an open mind, but, ultimately, you have to do what’s best for you. Don’t be afraid to fall down, and don’t be afraid to be you.
9. Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
My mother is an avid reader. I remember sitting on her lap while she read, White Fang, and Great Expectations, to me. School kind of ruined reading for me. I hated having to read what they wanted. Then finally we read Catcher in the Rye, in either the seventh or eighth grade, and I fell in love with it. I also read, Carrie, around that time, and started reading a lot of Stephen King. My mother introduced me to Richard Bachman novels. I found it amazing that Stephen King wrote under more than one name. Like, it was ok to have different personalities; just use a different name to express them. My mom had a collection of everything from John Norman, to Donald Goines, to a stash of erotica (which she didn’t know I knew about), to Alice Walker. She reads a lot of history books too. I’m a writer because of how much she loves books.
Terry McMillan, is one of my biggest influences. I started reading her books in high school. Her communication of emotion is so fluid that I was instantly caught up. Her books are the first to ever make me cry. Both happy and sad tears. Arthur Nersesian is another influence. I started reading him just a few years ago. His writing style is so gritty; so New York. I just love his work.
Every issue of Heavy Metal, inspires me.
This list will go on forever, so I’ll end it with one of my heroes, Nikki Giovanni. I’m a poet before anything else. Since childhood, poetry has been my friend and my therapy. My mother is not into poetry, so there wasn’t much in my home. It wasn’t until my late twenties that I’d even read a book of poetry, on my own. I’d already written a slew of poems, when I finally bought, Nikki Giovanni’s, The Women and the Men. Now, I’m not cocky, but I’m nice with my poetry. After reading her poems, I damn near wanted to tear up everything I’d ever written.
10. Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?
Yes – read my books! Seriously, to anyone that has taken the time to read my novel, or that will take time to read my future novels and work, THANK YOU! I truly appreciate you, and you can drop me a line anytime at kittykfree@kittykfree.com. And please support art and music in schools. Art, in any of its many forms, is directly and indirectly the foundation of ingenuity.
Author Kitty K. Free's works can be found on Amazon in both paperback and ebook. Make sure to check out this steamy read today.
The stories contained in the anthology are short stories told by a woman. Each of the women in these stories talks about sexual encounters that they have had. None of the stories seem to be true, but in many ways at least the reader can picture themselves in that situation. The story I admired the most in this book was called Summer Loving. The things that they did with the ice cube and the refrigerator leaves a footprint in my literary memory.
