Legal Property

* * * * * * * * * * * * * This blog is the intellectual property of Anne Baxter Campbell, and any quotation of part or all of it without her approval is illegal. * * * * * * * * * * * * *



Thursday, June 26, 2014

Author Interview--Kathy Boyd Fellure

Kathy Boyd Fellure
Photo courtesy of Hidden Hills Photography
Anne: Our interview today is with a truly multi-faceted lady, Kathy Boyd Fellure. She writes children's stories, is a photographer, hosts TSPN-TV's Authors, Writers, Books and Beyond, and recently signed a contract with agent Wendy Lawton of Books and Such Literary Agency. More about that below. Earlier this week I reviewed one of Kathy's children's books, When the Birdies Came to Tea. To see that review, click HERE.

As usual, my first question is: What inspired When the Birdies Came to Tea?

Kathy: I wrote an essay for my Nana's 90th birthday as a gift to her to show everything she had taught me over the years. The birdies story was a fictional way to use the real things in my life to do this. The nugget of truth in the tale is that my older sister and I are the same age for one week every year.

Anne: Why did you choose to write this and other children's stories?

Kathy: My parents read to me, and to my sisters too, of course. I loved reading to my children when they were young, and I read to my grandchildren. Writing for children just came naturally to me. I also read for Story Time at the library for other people's children.

Anne: The illustrator for this book is amazing. Would you like to tell us a little about her?

Kathy: Kathleen Flanagan Kresa is the talented illustrator. We went to Mercy High School together for one year. We were friends who reconnected when I was worked on our twenty-year class reunion. She had followed her passion for art; she used to draw beautiful horses back in high school. I had followed my passion for writing. After the reunion she called me one day out of the blue and offered to draw four paintings for my children's story. It was an answered prayer for me. I'd been waiting a decade and had even declined another artist's offer years prior to Kathleen's. I knew when she showed me the first picture, oil on canvas, she was the one. She was God's answer to my prayers for When the Birdies Came to Tea. She is also an amazing muralist and has opened an art gallery in Brookings, Oregon, with two other artists. Kathleen's inventive, she has a great sense of humor, and she is gifted by God to create on both canvas and on extensive walls to bring a town's story to life.

Anne: I know you do a lot of book readings and signings. Where is your favorite place to do that?

Kathy: Lake Tahoe where this story takes place, on all four shores of the lake. It has a special meaning to me to be able to give back what was given to me in spending summers there at my grandparents cabin. God's handiwork surrounds me at Tahoe and all of His breathtaking creation cries out the beauty of His holiness.

Anne: Why do you write?

Kathy: I write in answer to His call and gifting. I cannot help but write. The stories start in my head; I then hand write them on paper before transferring them to the computer. I also journal by hand, and many of these later become children's books, articles, and now novels.

Anne: Do you have a favorite place to write?

Kathy: In a quiet place. This can be almost anywhere, but I like the peaceful quiet so I can listen to the inspiration that speaks in the silence. I can hear better that way too. Characters talk to me, and I answer. I might miss a sweet gem if noise is blasting about me.

Anne: And lastly, what's next on your horizon?

Kathy: I am now writing my third, yet to be published novel. It is the last book in a contemporary women's trilogy that also takes place at Lake Tahoe. There is a historical bent to this story with a timeline that begins in 1931 at the Vikingsholm Castle in Emerald Bay. Mystery and a bit of intrigue with twists that weave two Tahoe generations together.
I had started a fifth children's book when my agent, Wendy Lawton, signed me on with Books and Such Literary Management. This third book in the trilogy is a modern day Tahoe story on the beach. The other stories take place during the decade between 1959 to 1969.

Anne: Thanks, Kathy. I so appreciate your visit today, taking time out of your busy schedule to talk to us. God bless you!

Readers, if you have a question for Kathy, please write a comment. I know she will be happy to connect with you!

5 comments:

miri said...

so good to learn all about you Kathy! And I love how your honor the beauty of Lake Tahoe..next to the Red Sea in southern Israel with the Edom Mountains turning purple at sunset, Tahoe is hands down the most beautiful lake in the world to me.

Kathy Boyd Fellure said...

Miriam,
I love the beauty of Tahoe too and have yet to see the the places you mention, though I would love too. My oldest son has been there and he so agrees with you. Glad you got to learn more about me. Now it's my turn to learn more about you!

Kathy Boyd Fellure said...

Anne, Thank you so much for this lovely blog about my Birdies book. It was a fun adventure! I have enjoyed reading the comments on the review page and also on my Facebook page where you posted this. I didn't know the Birdies book flew to a baby shower to welcome a wee one into the reading world. What a joy to find out. God bless you, Anne for your thoughtful support for this author who writes for bookish children, parents and grandparents!

Anne Baxter Campbell said...

No, it's me who has to thank you, Kathy. You are such a precious cuz!

Anonymous said...

I love all of Kathy's books and bought them for our church library. I love them and the illustrations are priceless. I loved them all. Dale Lavely