I’ve been dying for this final book in her fabulous, sumptuous series to hit the shelves. And now, if you haven’t already read the first two, hurry up and get them. Still not convinced? Read on! : )
Kimberley, what was your inspiration for writing RETURNED?
I’ve always been fascinated by ancient Mesopotamia, the legends of Arabian horses, and ancient Egypt. When I signed up to take belly dance classes (a long-time secret dream) and even performed(!) I started researching the roots of belly dance, including the temple prostitution of the Temples of Ashtoreth that were located in every major ancient city.
One research book led to another and the story took off, including a trip to the Middle East, the ancient world wonder of Petra, and the Frankincense Trail. The trilogy has a long publishing history as well. Two agents, two publishers, multiple delays, etc. The first draft began in 2003 and the 3rd and final book is now published in 2017 – talk about being forced into learning patience, whew!
What scene was really hard for you to write and why, and is that the one of which you are most proud? Or is there another scene you particularly love?
Honestly, the entire book was the hardest project I’ve ever written in just about every way—and that’s after publishing ten novels.
There were so many pieces and threads to pull together and a huge war with four armies to figure out. I kept psyching myself out when I’d sit down to write because it was so overwhelming. I threw away Chapter One over and over again. When I lost half of my outlining cards on an airplane, I almost admitted myself to a hospital!
But the hardest thing was the final, climactic war chapters. My editor told me I had TWO big climax scenes and I needed to pick one and delete the other. But—but—I loved them both and I’d worked SO HARD on them! The last 50-75 pages was so interwoven that it took a lot of untangling to take out one of the climax scenes and re-sew it all back together. By the time I was done, I’d gained five pounds and chewed off all my fingernails—strung out on Dr. Pepper!
After a lot of agonizing I ended up going with the scene that’s more of a big epic movie-like war scene. It’s pretty wild—a brutal camel stampede—but fits completely with the setting, the time period, and my research. When I told my editor which climactic scene I’d chosen, she said, “Perfect. I agree. I was hoping that was the one you’d choose.” Score me!
What’s your writing ritual like? Do you listen to music? Work at home or at a coffee shop or the library, etc?
I’ve always worked at home, moving my desk around the house from kitchen to sunroom, to bedroom as my family grew.
A few years ago, my brother built me a writing cottage in the backyard (we live on an acre) and it’s been a lifesaver with so many deadlines and writing projects; not only this trilogy but the middle-grade novels I write for Scholastic and the adult romance I write under Kimberley Montpetit.
There are so many things, but perhaps I can boil it down to:
1. Never stop learning your craft
2. Write from your heart
3. Get honest feedback from people you trust
4. Never, ever give up.
I can pretty much guarantee that if you do these things, your odds of getting publishing will go up a hundred times!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Returned
by Kimberley Griffiths Little
Hardcover
HarperCollins
Released 2/7/2017
After tragedy strikes on the day they were to wed, Jayden must support Kadesh as he ascends the throne and becomes king of Sariba. But with the dark priestess Aliyah conspiring to control the crown, and the arrival of Horeb, Jayden’s former betrothed, Kadesh’s kingdom, as well as his status as king, is at stake.
Jayden knows that the time to be merciful has come and gone, and that some enemies can only be halted by death. Now she and Kadesh must prepare to fight not only for their love, but also for their kingdom.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kimberley Griffiths Little was born in San Francisco, but now lives in New Mexico with her husband and their three sons.
For such award-winning middle grade novels as When the Butterflies Came, The Last Snake Runner, The Healing Spell, and Circle of Secrets, her writing has been praised as “fast-paced and dramatic,” with “characters painted in memorable detail” and “beautifully realized settings.”
Kimberley adores anything old and musty with a secret story to tell and makes way too many cookies while writing.
She’s stayed in the haunted tower room at Borthwick Castle in Scotland; sailed on the Seine in Paris; ridden a camel in Petra, Jordan; shopped the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul; and spent the night in an old Communist hotel in Bulgaria.
Her amazing, filmed-on-location book trailers are right here on Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/videos/list…
Awards: Southwest Book Award, Whitney Award for Best Youth Novel, Bank Street College Best Books of 2011 & 2014, Crystal Kite Finalist, and New Mexico Book Award Finalist.
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Have you had a chance to read RETURNED yet? Has working on a novel caused you to gain weight and chew off fingernails? Would you love a cute writing cottage in your backyard? Share your thoughts about the interview in the comments!
Happy reading,
Martina, Jocelyn, Anisaa, Sam, Emily, Erin, Susan, Shelly, Kelly, Laura, and Lori Ann
