author interview

WITH ASH & MARCUS KUSI

This week I’m welcoming A.M. Kusi for the interview. This dynamic wife-and-husband author team write under the pen name A. M. Kusi. They enjoy writing romance novels that are inspired by their experiences as an interracial/multicultural couple.

A.M. Kusi novels are about strong women and the sexy heroes they fall in love with, are emotionally satisfying and always have a happy ending.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

We are always trying to come up with new or interesting ways to twist the tried and true tropes that readers love. We like to infuse socially relevant issues as well as other topics that are close to our hearts. Diversity in race, sexual orientation, bodies, and ability is also important to us to give proper representation in the books we write.

What comes first, the plot or the characters?

Both! Usually I (Ash) ask myself, “What if two people were stuck/had this happen?” Usually I get my ideas starting at the break up, but occasionally it stems from a creative meet cute idea.

Do you use anything to get in the mood for writing, especially if it’s emotional?

Music! We have playlists for different vibes/moods. Music is a huge form of inspiration for stories as well as setting the mood while we’re writing a specific emotional scene.

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

Coaching from our structural and line editor. Our editor is a fantastic woman with an amazing team behind her. She also offers one on one coaching where she goes over a chapter or so with us, pointing out what needs work and what we can do better. Our writing has improved drastically from our earlier books to this Shattered Cove series.

Describe your perfect book hero or heroine?

Strong, fierce heroines who don’t take crap and stand up for themselves. And broody, reserved, emotionally wounded heroes who are protective and take charge in the bedroom, but are sweet and caring to their lady.

What was your hardest scene to write?

There have been a couple scenes that top the most difficult for me (Ash) to write. One time when I had to kill off a beloved side character to drive the point home on the plot. That was especially hard because that character felt like my own family member. And in the manuscript I just finished the first draft on, book 6 in the series that releases later this year. There was a particularly vulnerable and heart wrenching scene that I could relate all too well with. This heroine in particular, was inspired by my own mental health struggles. So, I definitely cried. LOL.

What do you do to get inside your character’s heads?

Usually when I’m listening to certain songs, or trying to fall asleep, I create the setting in my head and put the characters into a scene. I play it through in my head, trying to navigate the plot in my imagination. I create the connections and back stories that way.

Describe yourself in three words.

Ash: Creative, learner, loyal.

Marcus: Analytical, open minded, protective.

Name three of your favorite things.

Hearing from our readers on how much one of our books impacted them. Having that “Ah-ha!” moment when it comes to finding the key twist in a plot and the story comes together. Spending a day at the beach with our daughters enjoying the sun and saltwater.

Name three of your least favorite things

Editing older works, waking up too early, and cold weather.

Book 1 in the Shattered Cove Series, A Fallen Star, is FREE on all retailers. http://www.amkusi.com/afallenstar He’s tormented by dark addictions. She’s fighting for a lifelong dream. Can they rise from the ashes of despair and find happily ever after?
A Fallen Star is the emotional first book in the Shattered Cove romance series. If you like steamy relationships, damaged heroes, and stories of second chances, then you’ll adore A. M. Kusi’s gritty tale. Pick up your copy today!!!

You can FOLLOW them in all the following places!!!

TicTok https://www.tiktok.com/@amkusi.romanceauthor

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/amkusi/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/amkusinovels/

PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/amkusinovels/

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18639218.A_M_Kusi

Thanks so much for stopping by to learn about this dynamic duo. Happy reading and reviewing!!! Elizabeth

I’m so excited to have Lisa Fender with us today. She’s an author who’ve I’ve been friends with for years and I’m so excited for this interview, so I can learn more about her work. Ssh…don’t tell anyone but we mostly try to keep each other sane politically, but we’re not talking politics today, today it’s all about the BOOKS!

What are the common traps for aspiring writers?

There are so many, but one stands out above the others – in order to be a legitimate author, you must traditionally publish.

Not true.

In fact, I know several authors that did publish through either a publishing house, or smaller company in the past and found out they made little money, then decided to switch to self-publishing.

Although it is true, self-publishing is a lot of work, either way, you must do most of your own marketing and advertising. Once your publisher, and if you have an agent, takes their cut, you can find yourself making 50 cents a book. And one more thing, it can take years before your manuscript is even accepted by a successful publishing house. And, later on when you’ve already been published by them, they can end up going out of business and you have to wait at least a year to get your rights back to your book. I, personally, don’t suggest it.

Do you try more to be an original, or to deliver to readers what they want?

When I first decided to write a book, finally, I sat down and thought about what it would be about. I liked to read mysteries, and international espionage, so I thought I should try my hand in that.

After trying to write a murder mystery, and managing to get through ten chapters, I realized that wasn’t the genre for me. I could not get into the mind of a killer. Needless to say, it got shelved.

After a little respite, and the decision to get through the holidays before tackling any ideas floating around in my head, I sat down with myself again and asked, “Okay, what do you like to watch on TV and at the movies?” The answer came to me – fantasy fiction.

My series was born!

Then I asked myself, “What kind of Fantasy? Werewolves? Vampires? Zombies? (which I hate, the Zombies, that is) I decided I would go with one of my favorite topics – Ancient Aliens. Not the kind on X-Files, more the kind on the show Ancient Aliens. Were they here thousands of years ago? Did the “Gods” rule the Earth and create us by combining our DNA from Neanderthal man and their Alien DNA to mine the gold on the planet?

Fun questions!

So, therefore to answer your question – I created the world I wanted, not to write more Vampire sagas. I decided to be an original. And it’s been fun creating the world of the Djen, wielded by Gods, with sprinkles of UFOs, and a girl who ends up the Leader of a primitive, yet, environmentally conscious people. I also go back and forth between worlds – this one and the world of Djenrye.

What comes first, the plot or the characters?

Well, after reading what I wrote above, you’ll know it’s obviously the plot. At least, the basics. What kind of world will it be? Language? (Which I wrote a whole new language for my fellow Djen) How do they dress? What do they believe? Ect… then I chose my main character to be a female heroine and, since I’ve always loved the name Stevie, not to mention, Stevie Nicks, she was aptly named. The rest of the characters came as I wrote my first book in the Lorn Prophecy series. https://amzn.to/36MpdY2

What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

I must have over a hundred author friends – too many to list – but a few stick out. Lizzie T. Leaf, who writes romance, but has been known to dabble in other genres as of late, is the first author I befriended. She was a customer of mine at Village Inn when I worked there as a server (A long time ago). I am literally the waitress turned Author.

She is the one that talked me into trying my hand at writing since I always wanted to write, and had voiced that to her many times. She met with me for coffee and we had some really great conversations, then she introduced me to Hearts of Denver group – a side group of Romance Writers of America. I was in that group for a few years, until I branched out on my own. Eventually, I joined Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, where I am still a member today. I also have friends that I met online, mostly on Facebook. They’ve been extremely supportive. We buy each other’s books and read them, and we share advertising posts to help promote and gain more readers. Then there are people like you, Elizabeth, who invite me as a guest on their blogs, and visa-versa.

Do you want each book to stand on its own or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?

Mine is a world building series – at least the books I am writing now. After the last book in the series is written – my next book – I will move onto another series. So far, I have 5 books in the series, book 5 coming out in the next few weeks, and the last one is yet to be written, but will be the last one. I also wrote a companion book to my first book in my series called Fated. I am the type that doesn’t want the story to end. I love the Lord of the Rings series, and Game of Thrones, and Harry Potter and Outlander! I love long books, which mine are, and I love long stories! https://amzn.to/3oUeGA4

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/ spirit animal?

This one’s easy – wolves! I love wolves and they are my spirit animal. In fact, I have them in my series now.

If you didn’t write, what would you do for work?

Well, I’d be screwed right now with Covid since the two professions I did before I decided to write were server and Esthetician. I’m glad I started writing.

What is your favorite childhood book?

Again, there were so many. The Boxcar Children, Charlotte’s Web, and as I got older, the Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew. Later in my teens, I started reading more murder mysteries and a few romances. I also wrote poetry as a teen.

What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

Writing isn’t usually the problem, unless I am really stressed about something. Typically, it’s the marketing and advertising. If I could afford it, I would hire someone to do it. Eventually I will – that’s my goal.

How long on average, does it take you to write a book?

Two years – from first words to publish. The reason why is my books are much longer than average, and I’m extremely picky about editing and story structure. I have always had a critique partner, several in fact, and highly recommend them. They are not only your sounding board; they become your friend and help you through the difficult issues you might face. It’s nice to have a constant support system. I also want to bring the reader into my world and feel like they’re a part of it. They become invested in the story. https://amzn.to/3aDKcgI

AUTHOR BIO

Born in Louisville, Kentucky and adopted at 5 months old, Lisa Fender had flown 10,000 miles by her first birthday. Her new family whisked her off to Greece for the next five years, where her sister was born. Globetrotting across Europe seems to have left a mark on her developing psyche as she has a strong love of history, travel, and folklore. Lisa loves nothing more than a good story filled with faeries, dragons, elves, and don’t forget the aliens. She attended grade school in Kentucky before setting off for another grand adventure in Colorado where her family has resided for 45 years. Lisa loves the Rocky Mountain scenic views with its majestic peaks, rivers, forests, and wildlife that inspire her work and are now embedded in her heart and soul. She is married with two grown children and two grandchildren who are the light of her life.