Guest Author: Kristin Callender

Literary Escapism would like to welcome new author Kristin Callender to the room today.  She’s celebrating the release of her first novel, The Truth Lies in the Dark and she’s here talking about her novel, the writing experience and the role her family has played in her career.

We’ll be giving away a copy of The Truth Lies in the Dark and a T-shirt of the novel, so make sure you stick around.
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Hi Literary Escapism fans and readers. First I want to say thank you for your interest and a few moments of your time. I also want to thank Jackie for having me on as a guest. I am Kristin Callender, author of The Truth Lies in the Dark. Very briefly, it is a mystery about a woman who lost her all memory of her life as a child and then as an adult finds out she was raised with the identity of a dead girl. Who is Amanda? In order to find out she must answer a very important question; who is there to help her and who is there to make sure the truth remains…in the dark?

I have been asked what was the biggest challenge I have faced in writing. During the writing process I would have to say it was making the time to just sit and write. Once I started, the story formed quickly in my head, like a movie that I had seen. It was tough to find the time to sit and get it out of my head and onto paper. In the beginning I wrote on a pad while watching my kids play at the park. After I had a good idea of the character’s backgrounds and where the story was going I put it aside for a while. With four kids and working as a substitute teacher, there was always something else that had to get done. Then I started dreaming about the story. I knew then that I had to just sit down and finish it.

Another challenge was portraying the main character, Amanda as emotionally dependent without letting her become too weak to readers. She changed the most out of all the characters, but I wanted those changes to be true to her personality and realistic to the situations she encountered. Amanda’s nightmares were a big part of the story and her reactions to them help to show her growing strength. The first page begins with her in one of these nightmares; which are always about a strange young girl trapped in a room that is engulfed by flames. She awakes screaming like a child and is comforted by her loving husband, but does he know more about her past than he lets on? As the story evolves, the scope of the nightmare is widened allowing more glimpses into Amanda’s mysterious past.

I am very proud that The Truth Lies in the Dark has been published, not only as the author but as a mom. My teenage son, Michael painted the original portrait that was used as my cover. Friends of mine (Thanks Dave and Amy) had suggested that his picture of a city at night would be a great cover. I submitted it to my editors at Blue Water Press and they loved it. I have pictures of that original on my website (Follow the Art Showcase link). There are also pictures of some of his other paintings. He is very talented and I am proud to share this exciting opportunity with him.

I live with my husband and four children in Northern Connecticut. Some of my interests include; writing, reading, hanging out at the fire pit in the back yard with family and friends, going to the beach, and taking family vacations (The closer the quarters and crazier, the better!) We have taken a train trip from Connecticut to California only bringing what we could fit into our backpacks. I bought all of my kids reversible clothing to keep their bags light and so they didn’t have the same things on in every picture. It worked out great until we reached California and my husband washed all of our whites with a blue and white blanket. We went all the way back home as the light blue tye dyed family. I have a funny popcorn gone bad story too, but I’ll save that for another time.

Ok, I have talked about me and my book enough. If you want to share your own funny family adventures or would like to leave a comment on my book feel free to stop by my website. All of my contact information is posted there.

The address is: http://sites.google.com/site/kristincallenderbooks

I know it is a long address, but you know what they say? After a long trip it is always nice to come home, and you are always welcome in my online home(page). Well, if they don’t say that, I do :)

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy lives to meet me and hear about my book on Literary Escapism. If you are interested in learning more or purchasing The Truth Lies in the Dark it available at the following at Blue Water Press (It is the ‘Featured Book of the Month’) and at Amazon.

I am working on a second novel now that is under consideration at a New York publisher. I will update my website with my progress and upcoming events.

Thank You Again,
Kristin Callender
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Thank you Kristin!

Contest Time! We’re giving away a copy of Kristen’s novel The Truth Lies in the Dark to one lucky commentary and it’s very easy to enter. All you have to do is answer this one simple question:  What has been some moments in your life that have made a positive change in your life?

As always, if you want more chances to win, you can post about today’s contest on your blog, social network, or anywhere you can. Digg it, stumble it, twit it, share it with the world. Wherever you share it, make sure you add a link to it along with your answer (yes LE is now on Twitter as well!).  The more places you share it, the more entries you get.

Join the Literary Escapism blog group and/or Page over on Facebook and you’ll get an additional entry (for each page).  Make sure you leave a comment so I know that’s why you’re joining.  Only new readers to the group will be considered.

For 2 additional entires, subscribe to Literary Escapism’s newsletter in the sidebar. This is for new subscribers only.

I’ll determine the winner with help from the Research Randomizer. All entries must be in by midnight on March 24th.

About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.

5 Comments

  1. This is an easy question for me as it was the birth of my son that made positive changes in my life. It inspired me to go back to college and get my degree so that I wouldn’t have to wait tables for the rest of my life. Great contest Jackie!

  2. It was interesting that it was “dreams” that spurred you to finish the book – especially since it was a dream that “starts” the book. This book was a good start and I look forward to other books by you.

  3. Thanks Samantha for your interest in this guest blog and good luck on winning the contest. The birth of my children have also been the best postive changes in my life. Being completely responsible for someone else makes you look at yourself closer, doesn’t it?

    Thanks also to you Dennis. You have been a great fan and trooper to follow this tour. I love all the comments and you’ll be happy to know that this one that you left on 3/17 inspired the Guest blog for the last stop on my tour at Shhh I’m Reading.

    Thanks again to all who stopped by Literary Escapism and good luck in the contest!

    Kristin Callender
    The Truth Lies in the Dark

  4. That would have to be my wedding day, and the day my daughter was born. They were the best days of my life. Please enter me, and thanks!

  5. Just like another commenter, such an easy question since the birth of my amazing little guy last January! He has truly made me want to reconsider all the choices I make so that I will not impact his life adversely.

    Thanks again for your thoughts!

Comments are closed.