**applause** Carol Ann takes a brief bow and walks toward the two chairs in the blog studio.**
And now, without further ado, I’d like to bring out a very special person! She’s an author and previously played bass in a hard rock band. Please put your hands together to welcome…KELLY HECKART!
**applause, applause** Kelley enters the room carrying a copy of her novel, OF WATER AND DRAGONS.
CAROL ANN: Good morning, Kelley. Thank you for coming by today. **Carol Ann takes the book that Kelley hands her and looks at the cover.** Awesome cover. I’d buy the book just for the cover. Tell me, what was your inspiration for OF WATER AND DRAGONS?
KELLEY: This story was originally a short story. At the encouragement of my Creative Writing teacher, I turned it into a novel. I have always been fascinated with ancient history and mythology, especially Celtic mythology so I incorporated that into this story.
CAROL ANN: I was perusing your website and read your autobiography. Very interesting. You’ve had some struggles, but channeled them into positive change. Please share a little of your autobiography, your struggles with arthritis, and how you've come to reach the path your are now on.
KELLEY: It has been a strange trip for me because my original love was music. I played bass in a hard rock band for years and I thought that music would be my calling. Music did and still does play a huge part in my writing. Writing songs and lyrics gave me my first experience in writing and now music inspires me to write. Having a chronic condition changed the way I viewed my life. The reality was I had to slow down a bit. Playing in a rock band and staying out all night at gigs did not help my condition. Writing still gives me a chance to be creative without being too hard on my body.
CAROL ANN: If you were commissioned to write a book about your life, what would the title be? Why?
KELLEY: Strange Trip or Crazy Train. For some of the reasons I mentioned above and I have done a lot of cool and crazy things in my life. I have met some famous people (rock stars) and also some strangely cool people. At book signings, I still get to meet all kinds of people. My life has not been boring, that’s for sure.
CAROL ANN: You also design crosses out of driftwood and sell them on E-Bay. How did you come up with the idea?
KELLEY: This came about because I have always collected shells, driftwood and rocks. I also love the symbol of the cross, which is an ancient symbol. My mother was seriously ill and in the hospital and I made her a cross out of these things to keep by her bed. She recovered and I continued to make them. My designs have evolved over the years.
CAROL ANN: I love them. Here’s a question I ask all authors. What is your definition of the word romance?
KELLEY: Love, adventure, longing and sexual tension. I think all of these elements make up romance.
CAROL ANN: What is your all time favorite movie? What about the movie makes it so special?
KELLEY: This is a difficult question to answer because I have so many favorites. I think I am going to pick Braveheart because this movie combined a lot of elements I like—love, adventure, ancient warfare and fiercely proud warriors and a brave queen.
CAROL ANN: What writing project are you currently working on? Can we expect to see it soon?
KELLEY: I have two books coming out this year in September and November. RavenWolf is the sequel to Of Water and Dragons and White Rose of Avalon is a re-telling of the Arthurian romances set during the fall of Avalon. I also finished book one of a trilogy set in early medieval Scotland. In between all of this, I am working on a prequel to Of Water and Dragons and RavenWolf set in ancient Greece, Britain and Ireland. I am still doing research for this one.
CAROL ANN: When you are feeling down, who can change your mood and make your smile?
KELLEY: My husband. He is my rock and is very supportive. I also have to say my dogs make me smile with their antics.
CAROL ANN: If you could live in any time period, whether in the future or in the past, what would you choose and why?
KELLEY: I write about and am fascinated with the past, but the truth is I don’t think I could have survived living in those harsh conditions. However, I think people adapt to their environment. I think the time period I would have liked would be the Neolithic period before northern invaders arrived. According to archaeology, this was actually a peaceful and superior society.
CAROL ANN: Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword? Why?
KELLEY: In some ways, I do believe that words have more effect. More people will see the written words. Look at how the media has control over what people think.
CAROL ANN: Kelley, it has been a pleasure having you in the Blog Studio today. Thank you so much for letting us get to know you. You truly are an inspiration.
**Carol Ann turns to the audience** To learn more about Kelley and her books, please visit her website.
Thanks everyone and be sure to stop back on Monday for the round robin story!
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