Kelly Goshorn weaves her affinity for history and her passion for God into inspiring stories of love, faith, and family set in America’s vibrant past. When she is not writing, Kelly enjoys, binge-watching BBC period dramas, board-gaming with her family and friends, exploring historical sights, and spoiling her Welsh corgi, Levi.
Her latest release, is a novella, The Veil, in the novella collection, Across the Shores in which four women are connected by one necklace.
Tell about yourself, family, pets, favorite foods, hobbies, where you grew up, etc., and 1-3 things about yourself that have nothing to do with writing.
I’m a Virginia girl through and through. I grew up not far from where I live now in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with my hubby and spoiled Welsh corgi, Levi. My three children are all grown now and we’re almost empty nesters. Our family’s favorite past-time is playing board games. I also enjoy walking my dog, and binge-watching BBC period dramas. I’m a tea-drinker, adore chocolate anything, and will pick fall and winter over spring and summer any day of the year!
What genre(s) do you write?
I write historical romance laced with faith and humor because we just can’t take ourselves too seriously.
Are you Indy, traditionally published, or both?
I’m traditionally published. My debut novel, A Love Restored was published with Pelican Book Group. I have two novellas releasing this year. The Veil with Barbour Books and in October, The Christmas Carving will be released from Scrivenings Press.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on another novella proposal for Barbour and trying to finish a full-length novel set in 1870s Virginia. That one involves an ex-convict, a prim and proper heroine, and an advertisement in The Matrimonial News.
Do you read outside of your genre? If so, what other genres do you like to read?
I mostly read historical fiction and romance, but I do enjoy romantic suspense, YA, and Mystery/Thrillers.
Did the first book you wrote get published? How long were you writing before you were published?
Actually, my first book did get published, but had three major rewrites and three different titles (Serenity, That Still Small Voice and finally, A Love Restored) before it found a home with Pelican Book Group. All-in-all, I’d say I was writing about five years when I landed that contract.
When you are writing, do you like complete silence, or do you like to listen to music? If so, what kind of music do you like? What are your favorite writing snacks?
Even though I live in a quiet house, I always listen to classical music when I’m writing. Putting on the headphones and listening to music helps get me in “the zone.” I often make a novel playlist that speaks to the characters and plot that I’ll listen to when I’m in the car or mowing the lawn. I don’t have a favorite writing snack, but usually have a cup of hot or cold tea at the ready.
Do you have a job outside of writing? What is it?
I’m a Grant Administrator at the Home School Legal Defense Association. My department gives assistance to homeschool families in financial need. It’s a hybrid position and I work about 20 hours each week.
Which do you prefer, writing or editing? Why?
Hands down, I prefer revising and editing to drafting. The blank page is my writing kryptonite. So much so I employ the fast draft method where I set a timer and sprint as many words as I can in 15-minute increments. That helps me get outside of my editor brain and dump the story out. It’s not a pretty draft by any means. However, once those words are on the page, I can rephrase, tweak, and polish them until they say exactly what I want to convey.
Do you have other writers in the family?
I come from a long line of humorous oral storytellers. Although no others are published, one of my father’s brothers wrote poetry and all of my children are writing. My daughter writes scripts, directs, and produces her own projects, my middle son writes storylines for RPG games, and my youngest son has written and produced an audio drama called The Clergymen and would like to be a published novelist someday.
Here is a link where you enter to win a copy of Across the Shores
4 women connected by 1 necklace.
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