The Interrogation Room with Kristine Dugger

Please give a warm welcome to another new author to the hot seat... the lovely Kristine Dugger!!!

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What were you like at school?

This is a fun question. I was a total tomboy. I played sports and could talk sports with the best of them. Unfortunately, with being the tomboy, I was always put in the “friend zone” with the boys. That is why I like to write about girls who know their stuff and who are gorgeous on the inside and outside. I was also outgoing and got a long with everybody. I was also the outspoken friend. You know that one friend who wasn’t afraid to stand up against a bully or whoever crossed our ways.

What are your ambitions for your writing career?

First and foremost, to show my daughters that you can do anything that you set your mind and heart to. As a young teenager, I told myself I was going to be an author one day. I still have my original manuscript of my first novel. Being an author is something that I am very proud of. It takes a lot to sit down and write a full length novel. And then to finally connect with readers and the messages they send you saying how much they loved your novel. It is one of the most rewarding feelings.

So, what have you written?

I self-published my first novel, Damaged, in April of 2016. I like to say it is the first of its kind. It is a different kind of Sports Romance. It is centered around the competitive slow pitch softball community. Ex college softball athlete meets her match playing the game she loves. My upcoming novel, Broken, is the male point of view of Damaged. It is to be released on January 31st. My readers demanded wanting to know what is going on in his head. So I am delivering and I love his point of view.

This Spring I plan to publish a Medical Romance, Flatine, that again is a little different from the rest. Since my day job is being a Dietitian, I decided to write what I know from working in the medical field. Just a love story between a Doctor and a Dietitina. I guarantee y’all will be shocked with this one.

Where can we buy or see them?

For Damaged www.goodreads.com/book/show/29769505-damaged

Kindle: US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DS595TK UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01DS595TK CA: www.amazon.ca/dp/B01DS595TK

All Other ebook forms (nook, kobo, apple) https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/649197

For Broken goodreads: www.goodreads.com/book/show/33595016-broken

How much research do you do? (And my word of advice when it comes to research.)

I probably research more than I need to but I am all about the facts.

Research is essential as an author. You must research, research and research. I cannot stress this enough. I am also a reviewer for a blog. This is my biggest pet peeve when I find something wrong in a novel. I work in the medical field and I have seen writers use the wrong verbiage. The internet cannot provide everything you are looking for. Get out of the comfort zone and interview people who are the industry. If you are writing about sports, know your trivia and what is relevant, how the sport is actually played, find out how athletes are, and not what you think they are. This goes with everything.

I know am far from perfect but the last thing I want is for someone to experience a reader pointing out that you were wrong in your research. It is tedious job but the outcome is so worth it. And you learn from it. Ok, rant over. J

Where do the your ideas come from?

You are so going to laugh about this but a lot of my ideas come from my dreams. Other ideas come from the music I listen to. I love when a new story comes to me. All I want to do is write down my outline and be ready for the story when the time is right. I have a Motorcycle Club Romance brewing. But since this area is something new to me, I am going to tap into my resources and research the heck out of it.

What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?

Learning to let go when the story is done. I just finished Broken and sent it to my editor. I was riding in my car and a song came on that was on the playlist of the first book in the series. I cried. The realization that Blake and Miranda’s story is completed. Yes, they will show up in the other books of the series but this time as supporting roles. Finishing my first novels to be published was a dream come true but I am definitely “empty nesting” for sure.

What are your thoughts on writing a book series.

What I love about writing a series, is that I get to go into the minds of other characters. For example, Damaged was Miranda’s POV and everybody wanted to know what was going on in Blake’s head. So welcome to Broken, it is his POV. It is just overall fun. The third book in the series will be a dual POV, Reese and Brandon. They are the fun loving couple in Damaged / Broken. They deserve a story. Plus, everyone wants to know how Brandon gets Reese’s back. I am so excited about writing their story. As a reader and writer, I always fall in love with the supporting characters. You want the HEA for them too. I just love series.

Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors.

In my opinion, what makes me a better writer is reading. If it wasn’t for reading, I wouldn’t have gotten back into writing. My favorite authors range from Stephan King to Jamie McGuire. I love a wide variety of genres. But what got me back into writing was reading Jamie McGuire’s Beautiful Disaster and then reading how she came to being who she is today. She inspired me to dust off the cob webs of writing and now I am about to publish my second book.

For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books?

Don’t get me wrong, I love my kindle but nothing beats the smell of a paperback book, flipping the pages and seeing how close you are to the end of a fantastic book. It keeps the mind wondering what is going to happen. But I love the convenience of my kindle though. Just a simple one click.

Who edited your book and how did you select him/her?

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to give a shot out to Dusty Grein. He is a fellow author and editor. He is editing my Damaged Series books. He offered to help me with my book and I couldn’t say no. I mean this man, who has a wealth of knowledge took the chance on helping this girl with her dream. I have learned so much from him on how to write and find my own voice. Plus, when he edits, he makes sure my voice is still mine.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

As cliché as this sounds, don’t give up. Also, stay geuniune to your fellow writers and to the readers. Without them, there would be no you. Care for them and their success. We all need to support one another. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the ride.