Can you share a little about your recent book – Conspiracy of Silence is the first book in my brand-new series, The Tox Files. It features a former Special Forces team, an archaeological artifact, and a centuries-old plague. I’m especially excited about this series because I’ve been able to explore several points of history and span the globe with adventure and excitement.
Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books? I write because I have a passion for stories and people. The theme throughout all of my novels is one of hope, along with Rapid-Fire Fiction action and adventure.
How long have you been writing? And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? While I might have only been writing since my early twenties, I’ve been telling stories since I was a little girl—with my Barbie dolls. LOL From the moment I decided to seek publication until my first contract was about 6.5 years.
How long does it take you to write a book? On average, I write my novels in about 4-6 months, depending on the novel
What’s your writing work schedule like? For the most part, I write in the evening after homeschooling, dinner, and tae kwon do. I usually stay up until midnight or 2am, writing.
What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career? My greatest joy is simply getting to tell stories for the Kingdom, much like Jesus did.
What has been your darkest moment(s)? Stepping out on faith with a particular series and watching it not do well. That’s fun in reverse.
Which of your books is your favorite? Ack! I can’t admit to that publicly or my characters would never speak to me again. However, I can say that each series brought a different joy to the writing process. Right now, I’m having a blast writing The Tox Files and plot book #3.
Who is your favorite author to read? Right now, my favorite author is David Baldacci, who somehow manages to grip me by the throat in the first few pages. And he keeps the stories clean, so that makes it easier for me to trust him and enjoy the read.
What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have listened to? Know the rules, master the rules, but don’t get suffocated with the rules. The rules are meant to help hone your craft, so it’s vital to know them backwards and forward, but it’s equally important to understand your writing and be confident in that.
How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you? Rejections happen every day, in small ways. Sometimes, it feels like being in a pool of piranhas, but it’s taught me to write for the joy. To write because I get to. Not to write toward a goal. I mean, sure—we want our books to do well and succeed, but what is “well.” What is “success”? Isn’t that simply doing what we were supposed to do—write the book?\
What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make? The most common mistake is spending so much time on the technical aspects of writing that the heart of the story is lost or muddled. Again, this goes back to the mastery of rules but not getting suffocated by them.
Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market? At writer’s conferences—yes, they cost and can be expensive, but it’s the best way to develop relationships. It’s an investment in your future.
https://www.amazon.com/Ronie-Kendig/e/B002SFLGQ2/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author of a dozen novels. She grew up an Army brat. Now, she and her husband, an Army veteran, have an adventurous life in Northern Virginia with their children and a retired military working dog, VVolt N629. Ronie’s degree in Psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters.
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