Interview with author Keffney Har

Tell me a bit about yourself….

Well, I am Keffney “Kat” Harvin. I was an elementary school teacher for 22 years. After being diagnosed with Bell’s palsy and the chronic pain that came with mine, I later had to retire. While l was waiting on my face to heal so I could get back to what I loved, I learned how to customize apparel and other items. I also finished with the second volume of my book and became my own LLC and published it under my business name. I am married to an awesome guy of almost 17 years and together we have three amazing daughters and one little feisty five-year-old granddaughter.

I am K.S. Harvin. I am a wife of 16 years, to a loving and devoted husband. I am a mom of three young ladies and a Nonna (grandmother) to a girl feisty little diva!

I was a teacher for 20 years. On the second day of my 21st year, I was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy!

After trying to go back to work in this condition and was not successful at it, I decided to just focus on my writing full time. I currently have published Blue Volumes one and two. I have another novel finished waiting to be edited and published and I am working on a fourth novel now and had time to squeeze in a children’s book! Although I miss teaching, I am grateful that I can do what has been a childhood passion and become a full-time writer!

What genre/s do you write in?

I have dabbled in poetry and short stories. I have a few playwrights under my belt as well. One that was produced at my local church. My love for art is Christian romantic comedy fiction. I also have children’s books that I want to release. I am also a songwriter.

How long have you been writing?

I have been writing since I was a little girl. I remember when I was younger, about 10 maybe, and I showed my uncle all the jokes I had written an on paper that I wanted to publish. I was also writing all through school and college. I was accepted into the young writer’s institute, but I was already in college with a declared major. One of my writings landed me first place on the local and regional levels.

Do you have any published books or articles? Tell me a bit about these and what publishing route you took.

Yes, I had a poem published in 1995 and currently; I have two romance novels out. They are a series. It is about a young lady who is in love with Mr. Wrong and is in denial that the one she was meant to be with is her best friend of eight years. After a betrayal and unknowingly being pregnant with her lover’s baby, she finds herself in the arms of her best friend, and from there, they ventured out in love and decided to become an item.

Did you use an editor? If so who?

The first one I did, and I was not pleased with all that did not happen with my book. The second book I completed totally in-house.

Did you use a book formatter and cover designer?

The publishing company I used at first did the formatting, but my awesome husband designed my cover. Again, I did the formatting with the second book, and my husband designed the cover again, which is slightly different from the first.

Did you self-publish or get traditionally published? How did this go for you?

I used an indie publisher and was not at all happy with any part of it which was what pushed me to become my own LLC and edit, format, and publish my own literary work.

How do you market your work and promote your brand? (Include links)

I promote my brand on Facebook and Instagram, but mostly on my website, www.ksharvin.com

What social media and writing platforms would you recommend?

Facebook and Instagram and even Twitter. You could even start your own website and have a platform that is solely your own to be as creative as you would like with your work.

Do you use an agent?

Right now, I am acting as my own agent, just to be able to put this title under my belt as I put my works out and help authors with getting their works noticed as well.

Do you use paid advertising? If so what?

I don’t use much-paid advertising, but one I use is 5-star promotional services. You can find it on Facebook. I also use my own social media platforms for advertising. I have also been interviewed on several podcasts.

Do you have a blog or website?

Yes www.ksharvin.com

What inspires you most to write?

My mom used to write, and my grandmother was on my biological dad’s side. They both loved to write poetry. It also makes me so happy when people read my work and love what they read.

What do you do to help with writers block?

Since I also customize apparel and other items, then I use the time that I am working on that to relax my mind from writing. Writing does come seemingly naturally to me.

How do you plan your writing and start?

I honestly sit down and just begin to write. I play the kinds of characters that will be in the book in my head. As I write, I become and become engulfed in the characters and allow them to come to life. I talk about them with my husband or a friend. When I get ready to sit down, I say a little prayer and just let my thoughts out.

Is writing your full time job? If not what else do you do?

Yes, writing now is my full-time job. Like I said earlier, I was a teacher for 22 years. And I can’t forget about the customizing, which I have also incorporated into my book business.

What are you working on at the moment?

I am working on a new novel but it does have some of the same characters from the first two books, but it is not, however, a volume 3.

What is your target audience?

My targeted audience is anyone who can read. Men, women, young adults, and middle-aged have my book and have thoroughly loved it. I just acquired a fan that was 95 years old! My prayer is not to box myself in. My hope is to introduce my readers to Christ, and He was not restricted by age.

How long does it take you to write a book?

Ha! The first book took 15 years. I fell in love, got married, started a career, and had my girls, so I didn’t have much time to write. My second book didn’t take that long, and my third book took three months. I am in the process of writing the fourth book and because of the style I am writing it; it is taking me a little longer.

When did you first discover you enjoyed writing?

When I was in elementary school. It was my favorite subject.

What is your writing schedule look like?

I try to write every day, but some days that is not possible, so on the days I do sit down, I can do about four to five hours before my family comes looking for me or I must complete any other tasks.

What does your family think about you writing?

They love it! They see it makes me happy and therefore they are happy. My girls see it has me finally pursuing my dreams and showing them that almost anything at almost any age is possible.

What do you do when you are not writing?

Sometimes when I am not writing, I am thinking about it or writing from a different aspect, lol. Mostly though, spending time with my family or customizing apparel, volunteering at church, and now that the schools are beginning to reopen, then there as well.

Where do you get information and ideas for your writing?

I give fictional truths in my books so some of it can be from a life experience wrapped up in the story. I also just come up with most of it straight out of my head.

What do you think makes a good story?

One that makes you laugh, cry, or laugh until you cry. One that will take your emotions on a wild ride and just allow the reader to get lost in the book and feel like they can relate because something in it reminds them of themselves. To write characters so real they feel a part of the readers and the readers talk about them as if they are alive.

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