Literary You: A Chat with Author Kim Janine Ligon

I'm thrilled to welcome Author Kim Janine Ligon! She is the sort of person who sends hugs when she thinks you need them (and you do) and has a kind word for everyone. Today, we're celebrating the birthday of her first cozy mystery/romantic suspense, Polly's List, which is a wonderful read, as well as her new book, Landing On Her Feet.  Before we get to her latest, I thought it would be fun to learn a bit more about Kim.

1) What sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series?
I loved biographies. I read all the little blue books they had in our library at school. I adored the books from The Five Little Peppers series probably because I had five little sisters for a long time. I always enjoyed historical fiction too.
 
2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays?
My reading has expanded since coming to Wild Rose Press. I've always read classics and quite a bit of contemporary fiction but now I do paranormal and time travel and some sci-fi. I've been introduced to a whole new group of truly talented authors.

I have met so many talented writers and wonderful people through The Wild Rose Press -- including you, Kim! :)
 
3) Around what age did you realize that you liked to write?
I started writing poetry and short stories at ten or eleven. And when did you know that you wanted to write books? By thirteen I wrote my first novella.
 
4) What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of?
I always liked to share my stuff but was most proud when my work garnered A pluses in high school and college creative writing classes.
 
5) Tell us about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create?
That's a great question. I think that I had to lean heavily on the detailed organized part of my brain in my career and my creative side had pent up demand for exercise. For years I've been making notes About my observations of behavior, great names, locations made for a story. Now those notes seem to be coming together. And I started other first time creative endeavors when I retired from my first career including getting a Spinning wheel and loom and learning how to use both. I set up my blog five years ago and slowly began to build a following. I've found doing anything creative helps stimulate my creativity in all areas.
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6) What’s your writing space like?
It's my writing, Spinning, reading, weaving space. It might seem a little chaotic to the untrained eye but I'm very comfortable and productive there. I've included some pictures for you. One of the writing side and one of the spinning side. I have two plaques. One says, "The joy of the journey is in the ride." The other says, "Life is too short to be anything but happy." I have lots of photographs of family and friends, bookcases, some of my favorite artwork and a view from my spinning wheel of the front yard and our cul de sac.

What a wonderfully creative space! I love the sayings, too. Thank you for sharing them with us.

7) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset?
I'm best in the morning after a couple cups of coffee. I'm out of steam usually by early afternoon. I'm not super disciplined about it. If I'm in mid-story I might have dreamt about something I need to get on paper or I'm Spinning and looking out the window and an idea pops up that has to go on paper or the computer before I lose it. I'm a little streaky. When I'm on a roll, I write every day. When I'm letting a plot marinate,I may not write a word for a whole week.
 
8) Let's talk about Landing On Her Feet (rubbing hands together)! But first, how did you come up with the idea for the series? Are there any interesting tidbits you’d care to share with us?
LANDING ON HER FEET is my second novel. It is set in the small town of Lansdale, Wisconsin.  It's a rated G mystery with a generous splash of faith. My debut novel, POLLY'S LIST, was also set in the same place and there are some characters who will be familiar but both books are standalone and may be read in any order. I actual wrote Landing first but Polly made it to print first. Some of my family and high school classmates have found the similarities between Lansdale and the small town I grew up in, also in rural Wisconsin.
 
9) I comprehend that you’ve just recently published a book. Still, I can’t help but ask – do you have anything waiting in the wings?
I've submitted my third manuscript and synopsis to TWRP. It's another Lansdale mystery with some familiar faces and some brand new ones. I have some other non-Lansdale based stories outlined and two fairly complete but definitely not ready for prime time yet. I'll be happy if I can continue to publish a new book each year.
 
10) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I'm excited because today is POLLY'S LIST'S first book birthday. It is still a little surreal to me that it has been a year since my dream of being a published author came true and now she has a little sister in LANDING ON HER FEET. I am forever grateful to The Wild Rose Press for giving me this opportunity.  I am especially thankful for my editor, Dianne Rich. She saw potential in my first book and worked tirelessly to coax the best book possible out of me and then did it again. She is a gem! We make a great team!
 
Happy Birthday to Polly's List! Kim, thank you for allowing us to celebrate with you, and congratulations on your new release! We look forward to reading more of your books in the future! Hugs! Wishing you all the best! 

And now, Landing On Her Feet!​

Kat Russell narrowly escaped death at Dirk Crowe’s hands six years ago. He’s out of prison. To protect her family, she must flee Philadelphia—the only home she’s ever known—with her five-year-old son, Timmy. Is Wisconsin far enough away to escape evil?
 
Chase Merrick, father of Timmy’s new best friend, wants to help. What is Kat hiding? Why does she insist she must face whatever it is alone?
 
When Can Kat stop constantly looking back over her shoulder? Will secrets and shame stop her from accepting Chase’s protection? Or unite them in the face of danger to keep their sons safe?
 
Excerpt from Landing On Her Feet
The unmistakable roar of a motorcycle echoed through the diner. Kat stopped where she stood. Her lungs wouldn’t refill. She gripped the counter to steady her trembling legs. Out the front window she saw a red- helmeted rider atop a motorcycle pull out of a space in front of the diner and drive away.  
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Impossible. Not here. He couldn’t know she’s gone. Not yet. Other people with red helmets ride motorcycles. Get a grip, girl! People are staring. Stop  scowling. She wiped away the tear that slipped down  her cheek, plastered on what she hoped was a pleasant  smile, and resumed pouring coffee. She needed to make a good impression. She had to keep this job.

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About the Author
Kim Ligon has been writing stories for most of her life—some on paper and some only in her head. She has lots of source material growing up as the oldest child in a large family in a small town in Wisconsin. Her father was a veterinarian so there were not only lots of children around, but all manner of house pets and farm animals too. Her love of reading comes from her mother who was seldom seen sitting down without a book in her hand. After a demanding career in healthcare information technology, she is now getting to do all the creative things she loves which includes writing her stories to share with you. She lives with her chief encourager and personal romantic hero, her husband of almost forever, in Alabama. Please follow her further adventures at www.spinningromance.com

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