Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I currently live in Texas with my husband and daughter. I am originally from Kansas and have also lived in Maine, South Carolina, and Hawaii. My first love is geography and my first published writings were historical geography and later, travel articles. I recently published my first book.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The title of my book went through as many revisions as the book itself. I finally settled on the title 500 Tidbits of Insight after deciding that the phrase ‘tidbits of insight’ was both direct and optimistic. I choose the number 500 because I hit my target word count on my first draft by tidbit 481, so I rounded up. I added the subtitle for clarity. I do not want someone to purchase a copy and feel mislead by the title. Hence, 500 Tidbits of Insight: Living with and Overcoming Depression was born.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
For this book, I wrote an outline by saving hundreds of text messages. I finally downloaded an app to my smart phone to ensure they survived long enough to make it to a word processing document on a computer. I complied all the tidbits by reviewing old notebooks, journals, and remembering events that I experienced. I took my phone with me every where during the drafting process and I would create a text or note as I recall a coping strategy, piece of advice, or insight. Once I start a draft, I usually need to work in the same space until completion. I find it greatly disruptive when a family member walks off with my laptop or rearranges furniture.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
For my book, I was motivated by the general trend of writing in a blog or journal style that has been surfacing all over the internet. I am used to writing direct passages when covering travel destinations, but for the book, I needed a slightly different format. I discovered that many self-help books and blogs were beginning to use second person periodically, so I experimented with that style and decided to use it throughout my book.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on two book projects. One is about the transformation women undergo when they experience motherhood for the first time. The second is a more general self help book inspired by 500 Tidbits of Insight that explains how to bring more optimism and positivity into your life despite hardships it focuses more on residency building while establishing healthy expectations. It will have a more structured format and will be formatted in a more traditional manner.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find online promotions tricky because the internet is not a stationary, reliable thing and what is best will change periodically. I am still learning but patiently researching how to locate your target audience is a good start. Advertising across existing social media profiles is also good. It is definitely, by far, the most time consuming aspect of the book writing process.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write when you can, however you can. Worry about details later, which you can clean up during your revision process. Each time you read through your book, proof read for something different.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Instead of asking what is normal, just ask what is normal for you.
What are you reading now?
I am currently reading The Man Who Walked Through Walls by Marcel Ayme.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am going to write more non-fiction books and consider making a formal draft of some my short stories. My writing seems to improve as I push myself to learn about new topics and styles. I enjoy getting feedback from other writers. I’m also working on collaborative projects, which will probably lead to new, interesting books.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Recently translated in modern English copies of the Bible and the Quran (now having the time to read both in their entirety). A thick and thorough book about fishing, and a collection of Shakespeare’s works.
Author Websites and Profiles
K. Delaughter Website
K. Delaughter’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account