Interview & Giveaway with Debra Kayn {RODEO REBEL}
Please welcome Debra Kayn, author of RODEO REBEL, Sisters of McDougal Ranch series, to Novel Reflections. Please tell readers a little bit about yourself. I’m a mom to four kids, er, teens and young adults. I guess I should stop calling them kids. I’ve been married to my hubs since I met him on a [...]
Please tell readers a little bit about yourself.
I’m a mom to four kids, er, teens and young adults. I guess I should stop calling them kids. I’ve been married to my hubs since I met him on a blind date when I was 19 years old. I’m simple. Well, simple as in I live in the country, love to raise animals, and sitting around watching chickens peck the grass is a fun time. I’m very smart, though! Uh huh. Besides that, I love to play tennis, ride motorcycles, and go fishing. I might have an addiction to Amazon’s one-click buy, eat too many caramels, and love boots a little too much.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
The first time a reader emailed me and thanked me for writing a book. Before that, writing was just something I always did for me. It was the greatest feeling to know someone else enjoyed my story.
Please tell us about your latest release.
Rodeo Rebel is the 4th book of the Sisters of McDougal Ranch series, but can be read as a stand-a-lone, so don’t be shy about reading it first. I love this one, because it was so much fun to write about a man raising his daughter by himself. He might be a little over protective of his daughter, so having a strong…daredevil McDougal woman who rides bulls for a living go toe to toe with him, might make him go crazy! You’ll also get to meet the rest of the McDougal family, and when they get together you can be assured there’ll be trouble, um, fun!
Was there a character you enjoyed writing the most?
I loved writing Florentine, because of her smart mouth. She’s a girl who I understand and could be friends with in real life. Her interactions with Cole left me giggling at my desk.
What was one of the most interesting things you learned in researching your book?
Funny enough, it was learning how sisters related to each other. I grew up with only brothers, so I had to ask other women how they reacted to their sisters. I found out that having sisters is not much different than having brothers…except sisters are more understanding about moods. That doesn’t mean they’re nicer to you, they just know why you’re being emotional without asking.
What do you feel makes your characters unique?
Not many woman ride bulls for a living, and it was fun to show what Florentine went through on a daily bases playing with the big boys. It takes a strong woman to gain the respect of the other rodeo circuit riders.
Is there anything from your daily “real life” that has played a fundamental role in the inspiration or creation of the story line or characters?
I live way out in the country, and going to the one stop sign town means driving a ways. Then you have to plan extra time to talk to everyone you see, because they’re your neighbors…even if they live 10-20 miles away from you. I created Pike, Montana after the same kind of small town.
What is the best part of being a writer? What is the most difficult?
Best part of being a writer is talking to the readers. I have the best readers that keep me motivated to write more and always have something nice to say. The most difficult part is when a new book releases and I have to tweet or Facebook the information on where to buy the book. I always feel like I’m screaming, “Buy my book!” Which, I am, but it never becomes comfortable.
Where can readers find you on the web?
Website: http://www.debrakayn.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DebraKayn
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DebraKaynFanPage
Giveaway Details:
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Tanya
I love the Sisters of McDougal Ranch series! I had never read a book with cowboys before ( I know, where was I living? lol) and instantly fell in love with the first book, Chantilly’s Cowboy, and read every book since then.
Can’t wait to read Rodeo Rebel! And I love the cover!
Debra, it sounds like the reason why your books do so well is because you write for YOU and not for others. There is no way to please everyone so why not please yourself?! I am not familiar with this series but sounds like one I need to add to my TBR list. I love reading a series and learning more about characters. How many do you have planned to write?
Hi Debra!
CONGRATS on the latest release! I’m ashamed to admit I haven’t started the Sisters of McDougal Ranch series, but I really really want to:) Thanks for the giveaway!!!
I love the sound of this series, it looks to be great fun and is definately going onto my wish list. My favourites are series featuring brothers and sisters with each having a book to themselves.
Love the cover!
Irene
Thanks for a fun interview! Congrats on the new release!!!
Wow… a female pro bull rider… definitely going to have to check out this series
ClaudiaGC – There’s just something about cowboys, huh? lol I’m so glad you’re enjoying the series. I hope you enjoy Rodeo Rebel as much as you did the first three.
Wendy – You’ve got it! So many times we write what is popular, but there’s something special about writing what I love. Then I cross my fingers that there are others who’ll love it too.
Yadira – Thank you!
Irene – Thank you! When I was plotting this series I wanted it a little different than the normal cowboy series which usually feature brothers. So I went with sisters. I’m glad I did, plus I still kept the cowboys in the stories.
erinf1 – Thank you! Florentine is a tough woman, but has a soft heart. I really enjoyed writing about her in the rodeo.
Nice interview. The characters sound interesting. Sounds like a good book.
What a great interview. I like that the books can be read as standalones. Congrats on the new release!
Thanks bn100 and StacieD!
Debra I would love to read your book. It sounds very good. What inspired you to be a writer?
Hi Victoria,
I was the kid who wrote 10 page Valentine’s Day cards to her friends. lol Then when I got married and started having kids, I wrote for fun…and for only me, thinking there was no way possible I’d ever be a real author. Once my kids became teenagers my husband kept bugging me to try to get a book published. He thought I had what it took, and I just thought I had a sweet hubs for making me feel good. Five years ago, I took a writing course online. The teacher told me I had a lovely “voice” and should seek publication. So, with 2 people believing in me…I dove in head first.
So, I can say that other people inspired me to write.
Thanks for the lovely interview, I enjoyed it. I cannot imagine living in the middle of nowhere, without any houses in sight. Would be great in summer though. I bet you can’t imagine I have to close my windows in summer to be able to sleep as my neighbours make too much noise! And I would prefer keeping them all open for the wind to be able to cool me off.
Hi Aurian – You’d enjoy the open windows all night long letting in the cool air. Living out in the boonies is a little different. Even though we’re in Oregon, we only have dialup internet…and no cell service. Others laugh at me when they call me on the land line and ask if I got their email. When I explain that I can’t get email, because I’m on the telephone, they always say “Check your cell.” lol They think I live in a third world country.
But, I love the peace and quiet, and running outside in my T-shirt and underwear when I forget something in the truck. At least no one can see me.
Thanks for the giveaway! Do you like living that far from every thing? I can’t wait to move back to country =)
Congrats on the new release. Thanks for the great interview. I love that in the photo on the cover, the cowboy is a redhead. This book sounds fantastic. Can’t wait to read it.
This is a series? Where have I been!? Have some catching up to do, sounds like a great read