Interview with Author Kimberley Payne

Welcome to Readers Write to Know Wednesday! I have always been interested in both physical fitness and spiritual fitness, so I am so excited to introduce to you Kimberley Payne, the author of Fit for Faith – 7 weeks to improved spiritual and physical health, a book that takes the reader on a journey to improve BOTH physical and spiritual health. Please enjoy reading her answers to your questions.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am married with two teenagers living in the country. I work two part-time jobs, and write during the blank spaces in my day-timer. I love to walk the country roads and gain inspiration from nature. I’ve written a novel, three devotionals and a non-fiction workbook.

Tell us about your current release.

Fit for Faith – 7 weeks to improved spiritual and physical health is a workbook that takes readers on a journey to better health. In addition to learning about the three components of fitness – cardiovascular exercise, strength training and stretching – the reader’s relationship with God will be strengthened through daily prayer, Scripture reading and daily journal writing.

What is your personal, most effective way to get past writer’s block?

Walk. A country block takes about 30 minutes to walk around and by the time I return home, I am ready to sit and write again.

What inspired you to start writing, or did you always want to write?

I always wrote, although not for publication. What inspired me to want to share my writing was a personally difficult time in my life. I wanted to share with other mothers what I had learned and offer them encouragement and hope.

How did you determine whether to self-publish or seek a traditional publisher?

Impatience and laziness, I suppose. I didn’t want to wait the time it took to send out query letters and proposals to a traditional publisher so I went the self-publish route.

What made you take the plunge and finally do it?

I had determined from the start to share with others what I’d learned. I’m a teacher at heart and wanted to get my message out there for others.

Have you always wanted to write a book?

Yes. I found an old goal-planning worksheet which had “write a book” alongside “learn to drive a motorcycle” and “plant a Christmas tree farm”. I’ve checked off the first one but have yet to fulfill my other two dreams.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Read. Read. Read. Read works in your preferred genre, but also try different types of books that you may not otherwise read.

What is your preferred method of writing? (computer, pen & paper, etc.)

I usually write my devotionals in a journal first and then transfer them to the computer. But for non-fiction, I like to work from my keyboard.

How did you make the initial step into writing your first novel. What were some of your major roadblocks and how did you overcome them?

I started to write out scenes from my memory into a journal. My novel was based on a true story so it was relatively easy to take the first step. I found it difficult to condense real life of 4 years into a story that spanned only a year. I overcame roadblocks with lots of prayer for solutions.

What is your inspiration for writing?

Much of my writing comes out of daily living. If I learn something new through a friend, radio program or a walk in the woods I like to share it with others.

I’m always intrigued by how writers get started…did you always have these books inside you and knew that you wanted to write them or did the idea just pop into your head one day and you decided to put pen to paper?

I knew I wanted to write a book. I always thought I would start with a children’s book. I actually wrote a few books at the same time, working on whichever book fit my mood that day. I get lots of ideas and work on them simultaneously. Right now I’m working on a women’s health devotional and a children’s science book.

Where to find Kimberly online:

Website: http://www.kimberleypayne.com