Author Interview

Hi Everyone,

Please welcome Kristy Woodson Harvey! She is the author of Dear Carolina, Lies and Other Acts of Love, and Slightly South of Simple.

Enjoy!

~Ariesgrl

Thank you so much for having me, Nicole! You know you have one of my favorite blogs around, and thank you to all of you fabulous Aries Girl readers for letting me be here today. You are all amazing!

Hi Kristy Woodson Harvey! Thank you very much for participating in an interview today. Could you please tell everyone a little bit about yourself and your books? I am a North Carolina girl, a UNC grad (Go Heels!) and have the cutest husband and son J I love, love being an author and still pinch myself every day. This is my third novel, but the first in the Peachtree Bluff series, and I am thrilled to be here with you today!

Slightly South of Simple shows the different dynamics in each generation of a family. Is there one character in particular that you relate to the most? That’s a good question… I am definitely not like Caroline. I can say that for sure! As Ansley says, Caroline can be tricky. But I do relate to her instinct to protect her children. I think I put a little of myself into all of my characters and even if I haven’t gone through the things that they have I can find some emotion that mirrors what they are likely feeling. In some ways I think that each of these characters is sort of finding her path through this series, and I relate to that very much. I never imagined I’d be an author!

Your books have incredible, strong women. How do you find inspiration for naming your characters? Truth time: My mom named these characters! And I think she did a great job! I was on a really tight deadline for this book and I knew these characters, but I didn’t really have names in mind. So I told her all about them and she named them for me!

Where do you find inspiration to tell these poignant stories? That’s a great question. I get inspiration from everything! I usually get ideas at random times when my mind is clear and I am relaxed, which makes me think that my subconscious is working on my stories all the time. I wish I could pinpoint something cut and dry that I could replicate for inspiration, but it seems to sort of be delivered to me. It’s a really magical feeling.

There is something special about Southern-themed books. Do you have a favorite place to visit? I live in Beaufort, NC and it really is my favorite place on earth. I travel a lot for book events, so I am always so excited to just get to be at home and enjoy the beach and the water and have a little down time with my family.

Who are some of your favorite authors? Mary Alice Monroe, Patti Callahan Henry, Elin Hilderbrand, Karen White, Amy Reichert, Paula McClain and Ann Garvin are a few of my must-reads.

Besides writing, what is something else you are passionate about? I don’t think there is much that I’m as passionate about as writing besides my family. But I love yoga (I got my certification a few years ago!) and tennis and reading, of course!!

Do you have any future books in the works? Yes! The second book in the Peachtree Bluff series, THE SECRET TO SOUTHERN CHARM, is coming out April 3, and I can’t wait to share Sloane’s story with the world—and a little more of Ansley, Caroline and Emerson’s story, of course!

Could you tell us your ideal writing/reading day? My ideal day usually consists of dropping my son off at school, going to an exercise class, writing for two hours or so, working on emails and publicity for a couple of hours, having lunch with my husband and then working on Design Chic before picking my son up from school. I love ending the day with a long bath and a good book. It’s the ultimate relaxation!

Where can readers find you and your books online? My website is kristywoodsonharvey.com and my interior design blog is mydesignchic.com. You can follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @kristywharvey, on Facebook at facebook.com/kristywoodsonharvey and on Pinterest at pinterest.com/mydesignchic.

Thank you again for taking part in this interview. Happy one month birthday to Slightly South of Simple!

If you enjoy Kristy Woodson Harvey’s books as much as I do, please feel free to join the free online Sasee Facebook Book Club on Monday night. The author will be discussing Slightly South of Simple with us! I hope you all will join in on the fun.