AuThursday – Kathryn Halberg

Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I write spicy, contemporary romances that take place largely in the Cincinnati area, where I’m from. When not writing, I work full-time for a local university and am an unpaid shuttle driver for my children’s various sporting activities 😉

How do you make time to write?

Insomnia.

Do you believe in writer’s block?

Not in those words, but I sometimes have to pause to wait for a character to better develop in my mind, and find out more about what they really want.

Tell us a bit about the genre you write and why you love it.

I was always told to write what you know. There’s nothing I know more than the here and now! I love to write contemporary romances that feature strong, independent women in fairly realistic situations. I try to avoid drama for the sake of drama.

How are you publishing your recent book and why?

Both (Indie and Traditional) – I just published the second book of my trilogy with GenZ Publishing, and am self-publishing the third book of the series to learn the ropes. I attended a 20Books conference last fall that really made me want to examine my options.

Are you an Introvert or an Extrovert?  How does this affect your work?

Ambivert. I grew up a full-fledged introvert and parenting has made me come out of my shell a bit more. This helps me be able to better grasp the needs of my characters.

What is your favorite motivational phrase?

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. ~Eleanor Roosevelt

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Like a good wine, let your work breathe before you enjoy it again. My best work comes when I edit a manuscript at least six months after I wrote it.

Where can readers find you on the World Wide Web?

KathrynHalberg.com and @KathrynHalberg on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

Do you have an excerpt you’d like to share with us?

She grabbed a soft pretzel and lemonade and waited for Carlie to show. Why was it that shopping depression meant eating more carbs, which increased the likelihood of more shopping depression? It’s a vicious cycle, she thought as she tore off another bite of buttered therapy. It really wasn’t fair. She had hella good body image and loved her curves, but put her in a dressing room and her self-esteem fled like an autobahn speed demon.