K. M. Saint James, writer for too many years to graciously admit, enjoys family, friends, playing master chef, and all things Southern and Texas.

As a romantic suspense author, she’s currently enmeshed in writing The Donovan Legacy: a 5-book series – Brothers who are bound by blood and the righteous goal to deliver justice in an unjust world. Harm’s Way (Donovan Legacy Book 1) is the first book in the series.

Visit K.M. Saint James’ on her website and on Amazon.
You can also find her on Pinterest and Twitter.

What motivates you to write and how did you get started?

You hear authors say: “I can’t NOT write,” but to me it’s exceedingly easy to find something else to do besides bleed on page. Writing is not for faint of heart or weak of will. My greatest motivation is when I reread an early scene or chapter and know‐absolutely know—that if it weren’t for me that writing would never exist. No one else will reveal those exact characters, entwine that plot twist, or have MY voice. Heady stuff.

As to how I started, I’m old — give me a minute to dig through those memory files.

First, manuscript was completed during a creative writing class while securing my B.A. Memory still forces me to cringe at the thought of that poor professor reading page after page of my drivel.

What’s most rewarding about writing?

When readers tell me that they loved the story, felt for the characters, or would read it again.

What’s your favorite genre and why?

I’m eclectic—except for horror. (Sorry, folks, there are enough scary people and scenes that already live in my head without adding to the mix.) Old-school classics are not necessarily my favorite. However, my keeper shelf crosses genres.

Where do your characters come from?

A wisp of a dream or a what-if moment.

Who is an author who inspires you and why?

Cherise Sinclair because she’s built an amazing ‘unrelated’ team of individuals to grow her career.

Lisa Kleypas & Christina Dodd because their characters are relatable, believable and say ‘the darndest things’.

Jim Butcher because he’s a master plotter.

Ooh, you said ‘author’. Sorry, Sandy, those three immediately popped to mind for various reasons.

What do you look for in other people’s books?

I’ll try any author. Once. But to reel me back in—be a great storyteller.

Tell us about your newest book or what you’re writing now.

Currently, I’m in deep edits and final line edits for Chasing Destiny, book 2 of The Donovan Legacy. This was actually written as a prequel, so there was more ‘rewriting’ than I wanted, but it’s what the book demanded.

Next in line for the same treatment will be Trickle of Lies, book 3 of The Donovan Legacy.

When I can steal the time, The Grave Digger, a side-book to The Donovan Legacy is about 40% complete. This book is difficult to ignore because the characters call to me, seducing me away from the daily writing grind.

What kind of book would you like to be known for?

One that keeps you reading past bedtime, up before the alarm, and on your keeper shelf.

What has writing taught you about yourself?

What an insightful question, Sandy. Most authors spend their days focused on character growth; we forget about our own.

Tenacity: be prepared for the long-haul in this process.

Patience: a book will be born when ready. The creative process exists at its own speed.

Tolerance: writers come with varying levels of experience, natural talent, and writing gifts. Learning to accept & expect that not every book will appeal to me or become a favorite, but that doesn’t mean it lacks worthy attributes.

Love: for language. Like a stunning sunset or brilliant masterpiece, words can fill a hole in the heart, give dreams flight, and transport a reader into the unknown. What could be better than that job?

How has your life experience influenced your writing?

Over the course of my life, necessity has demanded that I become a ‘Jill of all trades’. My female protagonists can do the most amazing things. Being married to a true ‘alpha’, my male protagonists live by the Marine adage: ‘Improvise, Adapt and Overcome’.

What encouraging advice can you offer new writers?

Accept criticism of your work—ONLY—never your choice to be a writer.

Ask worthy people to critique the work. Your BFF or coworker shouldn’t be first choice. Find readers of what you love to write and have them look at your first draft.

Find a critique group, get active and stay active.

Analyze your favorite authors; truly pick apart their work: dialogue, plotting, character arcs. If you’re weak in those area, then RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH articles, blogs and lectures.

Finally, keep writing. Every published author has a manuscript or two that’s shoved in a dark cabinet, never to see the light of day. Each writing venture brings you closer to success—keep writing.

You can share this interview on social media.