Interview: Novelist Kathryn Magendie
Let me introduce you to Kathryn Magendie. She’s funny, talented and oh-so-literary. And she recently sold her first novel! Hoping to learn from her experience, I asked Kathryn to share with us a bit about her writing and the process of getting her book published.
Write Out Loud: You recently published a book, Tender Graces. Could you tell us a little about it?
Kathryn Magendie: The death of her troubled mother and memories of her isolated grandmother lure a woman back to the Appalachian hollow where she was born. Virginia Kate Carey, the daughter of a beautiful mountain wild-child and a slick, Shakespeare-quoting salesman, relives her turbulent childhood and the pain of her mother’s betrayals. Haunted by ghosts and buried family secrets, Virginia Kate struggles to reconcile three generations of her family’s lost innocence.
WOL: Where did the idea for your book come from?
KM: Since I never think in plot, only in character, ideas always come from a character. I did use an event from my own life to support the character I had in my head. The event was my biological mother in West Virginia giving up her three children by my father one by one. We all ended up with my father and stepmother—who adopted us (thank you, Mother—Ruth). But, the rest is made up other than a few little things that may have slipped in there, and some reading between the lines where I sneaked in some things, some secrets embedded, some tidbits I hope readers “get” when they read Tender Graces and think, “Did she mean to do that?” and I hope I did and in some instances I know I did.
The Great Moccasin Incident was based on a true happening! My brother really did play “snake polo” with poisonous moccasins, although I embellished the event in the Tender Graces. And my family did have a Rambler station wagon at one time, a pink one!
WOL: How long did it take you to write?
KM: It didn’t take me near as long to write the novel as it did to get to the publishing part of it. I wrote the first draft in a couple of months. The words just blasted out of me in a fury; it was insane and surprising. I never thought I was going to write a novel (Angie Ledbetter is the one who put a fire under my butt after she read Virginia Kate in a short story); but there it was, an entire novel . . . I thought, oh dear! What now? I just stared at that manuscript in a kind of fascinated horror. All those words came from me? That’s what I thought. Now everything wants to become a novel, geez (laugh).
After writing it, I put what would become Tender Graces away, took it out, put it away, took it out, each time tweaking it, looking at it, thinking about it, dreaming about it, talking about it. There was one point in that process where I queried agents/presses, and I know now that it wasn’t time. I finally slapped myself upside the head and ruthlessly ripped out thousands of words, things I knew needed to come out and I had been resisting it. After that I then said, “There! That’s it. Either someone wants it or they do not. I’m done.” And it wasn’t long after that I had a contract with BelleBooks.
WOL: Did your story start with a character idea or a plot idea?
KM: It’s always about the character(s). I can’t think in plots, my brain won’t work that way. I wish it did sometimes, but we are what we are and we must be true to that. Still, I wish someone could peek inside my brain and explain to me why it works as it does.
When I try to figure out plots and outlines and structure my synapses fire off chaotically and then begin to shut down. It’s only when I see some part of my character: their hair, eyes, teeth, for example; some quirk they have or way of speaking; some Part of them that makes them who they are, and then allow them to have their say, only then can the words and story come. And really, as writers, we must just get out of the way.
WOL: You chose to publish Tender Graces with a small press (BelleBooks). Did you look for an agent first or did you start approaching small presses from the start? Why did you go that route?
KM: I did look at small presses from the beginning as I was interested in that venue. And as I watched what was happening with the publishing industry, I more and more began to see the small press as a good platform for unknown writers with “general” or “literary” fiction, which for the most part is harder to sell to agents and publishers than genre fiction or fiction with strong “plots.” Character-driven work is harder to market, I suppose? Small presses are willing to take a chance on writers and I love them for that.
WOL: Where is your favorite place to write?
KM: In my tiny little study in my little log house, where I am perched at near 3,400 feet. I have a leather chair and that is where I am right now. There are books all around me, and photos, and rocks, and cozy throws, a snoring fat lazy Labrador, and other things I like. It’s small and cozy. Sometimes when it’s warm I’ll go out on the porch and write, as I will today—with the view of the Great Smoky Mountains all around me with their importance and ancient mystery and beauty.
WOL: Writer’s are often known for their vices. What is your biggest writers’ vice?
KM: Oh dear! Let’s see. Being too reclusive.
I am way too intense. I think too much.
Luckily I can’t drink but at most two vodka drinks or else I get sick (er, “sick” means silly, crazy, loony, and slightly out of control), because I do like Ketel One and tonics with lime. And sweets—I have a huge sweet tooth and have to control it by not having sweets in the house or by having Roger hide them from me so I don’t eat them all at once. And sour cream, geez, I love sour cream. And cheese; cheese is just do danged good. And Creole cream cheese ice cream that luckily isn’t sold in North Carolina, but I guess that is a sweet and I’ve covered that. French fries—I’m forever in the search for the perfect French fry and am many times disappointed: just salt without any other seasonings, nice and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside; is that so hard? And crackers, I love the crunch of crackers and I dip them in whipped cream cheese, because I love cream cheese, too, and . . . and . . . I better stop now.
WOL: What does your writing routine look like? Do you schedule your writing or do you write when inspiration strikes?
KM: I write during the day: I get up, have coffee, a mountain walk and three days a week a strength workout, and then I settle down to work for the day. I never ever wait for “inspiration,” for the inspiration comes from actually sitting down and getting busy writing. I do try to take evenings off, and I also usually try to take off at least one day a week where I am away from the work.
You know, we really do just have to sit down and write and write and write; some of what we write might turn out to be unusable (or crap!), but if we write 1,000 words and six-hundred of those 1,000 are golden, we have six-hundred words! Build on that, don’t worry about the four hundred you had to toss—who cares! There are always more words, always. Throwing out words is one of the hardest lessons, but one of the most rewarding. Knowing when to stop and say “done” is another one, for the work will never be perfect, and I should have put that under “vices,” how I want my work to be perfect and that’s impossible.
WOL: What are you working on now?
KM: The next book in the Virginia Kate Sagas, which continues her story and for which I do not yet have a title. In Tender Graces I left Virginia Kate in the present day still in Momma’s house in the holler. I left her in the past chapters as a 16 year old girl. So, she still has some things to say in both present and past. She’s still the storyteller.
I also have a completed novel, for now titled “The Affliction of Sweetie,” that I took out and fiddled with the other day when I was stuck with something for the next Virginia Kate book. I have to rip out some things, tweak here and there.
WOL: Are you prone to working on multiple fiction projects at the same time, or do you spend all your time on one project until it’s complete and then move on? Why?
KM: I’m really prolific—and that doesn’t mean all my stuff is publishable, or will be published, but I just seem to be able to write a lot of stuff and write it without force or trouble and some of it turns out pretty good. My husband says he’s never seen anything like it, how stuff just appears on the page, zippity do dah day! I just love language and words.
Right now, though, I am concentrating hard on the second Virginia Kate book, as I have a deadline. Deadlines are the great motivators to get your arse in the chair and get the work done, and I am serious about my work, it is important to me, so deadlines are important for me to adhere to. This isn’t a hobby for me, but my life.
If I get stuck, I will sometimes briefly work on something else to distract me. And as for why I have the ability to work on several projects at once? Because I am completely insane; there are just way too many people stomping around in my head. But mostly because I love what I do and I really enjoy my characters and this is all I ever wanted to be. I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful.
At one point in the process, as I mentioned above, I made a few attempts to query agents and received some really great comments about the book, but the book wasn’t ready at that point, so I stopped querying. I know I didn’t query anywhere near enough agents, but . . . well, maybe I will later.
One night I was really aggravated at myself for dilly dallying around and I googled “southern fiction publishers” and BelleBooks came up. Well, as soon as I clicked on their site, I knew they were who I wanted. I mean, “Southern Fried Fiction,” how could I not love that? I almost didn’t query them! I thought, “Oh, I don’t think my work will fit what they want.” But then I became angry with myself again for not giving it a try, so I sent in the query right then and there, right on the spot. It was soon after I had a contract: lesson here—don’t second-guess yourself, don’t be afraid to try, believe in yourself because if you do not believe in your work, who will?
WOL: Thank you so much for sharing with us, Kathryn! Best of luck with Tender Graces and your future work.
KM: Thank you so very much for this fun interview!
Kathryn Magendie is a writer/editor, Co-managing editor of the Rose & Thorn Literary Ezine, and author of her debut novel TENDER GRACES. She lives tucked in a cove, in a little log home, smack dab in the Smoky Mountains, with a fat lazy Labrador and a good man Roger. Her short stories, essays, photography, and a few sad little poems have been published in both online and print publications. She feels weirdly wonky writing in third person, and has stopped writing this several times to wonder if she is talking about herself, or her Self. Mostly, she hopes you’ll love her Virginia Kate in Tender Graces, and all the other words that will come.
For more information about Kathryn and her book, visit her website or the Tender Graces blog.
Posted in vip interviews
July 8th, 2009 at 11:46 am
Thanks for sharing! I particularly enjoyed hearing about your editing (or ripping out words) process and why you chose a small press. Good luck on the next one!
July 9th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Stop giving me credit for anything but kicking ya (gently) in the bahonkus. LOL.
Great interview of a writing wonder woman. Those darn TG characters still walk around in my head! :)
July 14th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
[...] out Ami Spencer’s blog Write Out Loud for an Interview with Kathryn Magendie, author of Tender Graces. Who is Kathryn Magendie, you say? Kathryn Magendie is the author of the [...]
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Thank you Ami for this – I so enjoyed it! thank you everyone for reading! :)
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Thank you, Kat! I really appreciate you taking time to share with us. Loved your answers and can’t wait to see more of your stuff in print!
July 24th, 2009 at 9:15 am
This is a very insightful and informative interview. Tender Graces remains on my night stand and brings a smile every time I see the book. Thank you Kathryn and as ever be well.
July 24th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Thanks for stopping by, Stephen. I’m glad you enjoyed the interview. Kat is an awesome writer and we were so privileged to have her share her writing process with us.
July 24th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Another great interview!
And another NC writer I must find :)
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Stephen! Hello – so glad you came by to read *muwah*
Jessie – Oh! are you from NC? I will check out your site; thank you!
August 21st, 2009 at 8:07 pm
[...] Spencer’s Write Out Loud Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)research and characterizationwriting for [...]
November 14th, 2011 at 4:11 am
this is a really nice site to go to nicetest543
http://www.nicetest543.com/
January 3rd, 2012 at 1:00 pm
Enjoyed studying this, very good stuff, regards .
March 14th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Hello Webmaster, I noticed that http://amispencer.com/blog/2009/07/07/interview-novelist-kathryn-magendie/ is ranking pretty low on Google and has a low Google PageRank. Now the Google PageRank is how Google is able to see how relevant your webpage is compared to all the other webpages online, if you cannot rank high at the top of Google, then you will NOT get the traffic you need. Now usually trying to get to the top of Google costs hundreds if not thousands of dollars and very highly optimized targeted marketing campaigns that takes a team of experts months to achieve. However, we can show you how to get to the top of Google with no out of pocket expenses (free traffic), no stupid ninja tricks, no silly mind control techniques, and this will be all white hat with no blackhat software or tactics that could possibly land you on bad terms with Google and put you in the dreaded “Google Sandbox”. We’ll show you how to easily capture all the targeted traffic you need, for free, multiple ways to land fast (not months) first-page rankings in Google and other major search engines (Bing, Yahoo, Ask, etc), even show you strategies on how to earn daily commissions just try Ranking Top of Google, please check out our 5 minute video.
December 9th, 2012 at 12:21 am
palm treo 700 electronic language dictionary rosecea treatment de100i cswc160 credit secrets bible prince albert in a can 45 record player overall dress mcm バッグ 激安
real estate investment treo 650 cover nwn 2 jennifer lopez posters new living translation bibles ルブタン ブーツ
slide in oven 30gb video ipod garden of life probiotic tom brady jersey ex z600 ルブタン
x m radios toy trombone pd150 for sale banana fish pact flash 4gb dell latitude cpx keyboard packages to new york toilet paper holder recessed bullboxer shoe medal of honor xbox
December 15th, 2012 at 4:10 am
really right stuff pentax camera remote control stunt car phone cord detangler quickbooks pro 2002 download rg316 cables digital camera for kids padparadscha アグ ブーツ
visiontek radeon dr ohhira london fog trench coats powerbook battery gourmet basket コーチ メンズ
euro pro intelli sew parralel to usb tracy ryan plus sizes lingerie sd card reviews rolled leather dog collar capture 4 nikon rogue spear no cd UGG 激安
modern baby cigar gift set hp 2430tn axis 213 puma roma shoes
April 6th, 2013 at 9:03 pm
BARCELONA – Lionel Messi says he is feeling fine despite bruising his left knee in Wednesday’s Champions League game against Benfica but is unsure whether he will be fit for Sunday’s La Liga match at Real Betis Thirty-six of the 75 players on the Bears’ roster watched from the sideline, and the Browns didn’t have any starters in the game To allow this to happen would be a disservice to American values and, ultimately, to the military itself toms sale Now though Chandler still has only about 80 percent strength on his right side, a milestone came this summer when he walked 18 holes during a Birmingham Golf Association tournament 30, 2008J “The older places are bought by muppies and yuppies who know they can get a good deal on a place and have rental income, too,” says Miguel Chacon, Pilsen resident and real estate agent with Sheldon Good Brokerage in Chicago wholesale designer handbags But any biological explanation remains hard to confirm, in part because it is impossible to know whether other aspects of their lifestyle including potential dietary choices or physical exercise might have contributed to their longevity”I’m sure when they were thinking about purchasing (the cars), it was probably a function of what’s a basic car we can buy,” said Angela Smith, Oswego’s director of business services Some have age or disability requirements toms sale It’s relatively common, she says, for people to lie about dates of employment, and some candidates claim they’re currently employed at an organization they left months, or even years, agoBalancing his bike, Hays says that he used to live in Wicker Park in an apartment that was just as close to the elevated train as his current apartment is to the Logan Square stop The couple eventually married Sept
May 12th, 2013 at 9:14 pm
I needed to thank you for this fantastic read!
! I certainly loved every bit of it. I have
got you book marked to look at new things you post…
May 18th, 2013 at 10:52 pm
I’ll right away seize your rss feed as I can’t to find your email subscription link or newsletter
service. Do you’ve any? Kindly permit me realize so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
June 4th, 2013 at 1:53 pm
I actually have enjoyed the submit, but your website is pretty broken in Google Chrome. What theme are you using?
June 10th, 2013 at 5:10 am
It appears like awesome submit, having said that it just one particular side on the medal. Awesome reading anyway, I generally appreciated excellent brain teaser and solid amount of good information.
June 13th, 2013 at 8:36 am
Things i have observed in terms of computer memory is that often there are specs such as SDRAM, DDR and so on, that must fit the features of the mother board. If the personal computer’s motherboard is fairly current while there are no os issues, changing the memory space literally normally takes under an hour. It’s among the easiest computer upgrade procedures one can visualize. Thanks for discussing your ideas.
June 13th, 2013 at 2:15 pm
You completed various good points there. I did a search on the issue and found a good number of persons will consent with your blog.
June 13th, 2013 at 2:31 pm
One thing I’d prefer to say is the fact that car insurance cancellation is a horrible experience and if you are doing the right things as a driver you simply won’t get one. Some individuals do are sent the notice that they are officially dumped by their own insurance company they have to fight to get added insurance after a cancellation. Low cost auto insurance rates are usually hard to get after having a cancellation. Knowing the main reasons for auto insurance cancellations can help drivers prevent completely losing in one of the most crucial privileges available. Thanks for the strategies shared by means of your blog.
June 13th, 2013 at 3:46 pm
I would hope that I am healthy in both mind, body, and spirit. I’d adore to travel the planet with my household. That would be wonderful.
June 13th, 2013 at 6:33 pm
Is Google’s announcement it’ll stop censoring the web in China and possibly pull out a marketing ploy?
June 13th, 2013 at 6:41 pm
Shut up mate, you’re monotonous!
June 14th, 2013 at 5:03 am
There’s a great new ibook all about graffiti artists. Lots of old school photographs.
June 14th, 2013 at 11:43 am
One other issue is that if you are in a circumstance where you do not have a co-signer then you may genuinely wish to try to wear out all of your educational funding options. You can get many awards and other scholarships that will ensure that you get finances to help you with college expenses. Thx for the post.
June 14th, 2013 at 8:29 pm
whoah this blog is great i love reading your posts. Keep up the great work! You know, a lot of people are hunting around for this info, you can aid them greatly.
June 16th, 2013 at 6:13 am
For some reason, the numbers are messed up on this blog
June 16th, 2013 at 1:33 pm
“Good Quality and ergonomic product nice sound is amazing.
June 16th, 2013 at 5:07 pm
Superb blog you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any discussion boards that cover the same topics discussed in this article? I’d really like to be a part of community where I can get responses from other experienced individuals that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Cheers!
June 17th, 2013 at 11:24 am
I precisely needed to appreciate you once again. I do not know the things I might have carried out in the absence of the solutions revealed by you regarding my industry. This has been a real frightful situation in my position, however , looking at a new expert strategy you treated the issue took me to cry over joy. I am thankful for this assistance and hope that you find out what an amazing job you are always providing educating other individuals all through your website. Probably you haven’t encountered any of us.
June 17th, 2013 at 11:44 am
There are definitely quite a lot of particulars like that to take into consideration. That is a nice point to bring up. I supply the ideas above as normal inspiration however clearly there are questions just like the one you convey up the place an important thing will be working in trustworthy good faith. I don?t know if greatest practices have emerged round things like that, however I am sure that your job is clearly recognized as a good game. Both girls and boys feel the impact of only a moment’s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.
June 17th, 2013 at 2:25 pm
So that’s what I packed: a decent-sized (5PP+) baked potato for my lunch and a big bag of baby carrots to munch on en route.
June 17th, 2013 at 3:14 pm
An amazing share, I just given this onto a colleague who was simply doing some evaluation with this. Anf the in reality bought me breakfast because of I ran across it for him.. smile. So permit me to reword that: Thnx in the treat! However yeah Thnkx for investing the time period to debate this, I feel strongly to solve it and love studying extra with this topic. If doable, whilst you become experience, could you mind updating your weblog with extra particulars? It’s highly helpful in my opinion. Big thumb up to the weblog submit!
June 17th, 2013 at 5:29 pm
The things I have generally told folks is that while looking for a good on-line electronics store, there are a few factors that you have to consider. First and foremost, you should make sure to get a reputable as well as reliable retail store that has received great testimonials and rankings from other individuals and market sector professionals. This will make sure that you are getting along with a well-known store that gives good service and support to their patrons. Thanks for sharing your thinking on this blog.
June 17th, 2013 at 10:33 pm
I want to show my gratitude for your kindness giving support to men who absolutely need help with this one area of interest. Your personal dedication to passing the message all through turned out to be rather interesting and have continually helped many people like me to arrive at their aims. Your new interesting help and advice signifies a lot to me and especially to my office colleagues. Thanks a ton; from each one of us.
June 18th, 2013 at 2:20 am
I loved up to you’ll receive carried out proper here. The caricature is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. however, you command get got an nervousness over that you want be handing over the following. unwell for sure come more in the past again as precisely the similar nearly very ceaselessly inside of case you shield this hike.
June 18th, 2013 at 3:47 am
This site is mostly a walk-by means of for the entire data you wished about this and didn�t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you�ll positively discover it.
June 18th, 2013 at 6:14 am
I have seen many useful elements on your web site about personal computers. However, I’ve got the view that netbooks are still less than powerful sufficiently to be a wise decision if you usually do projects that require plenty of power, just like video touch-ups. But for net surfing, statement processing, and majority of other typical computer work they are fine, provided you don’t mind the little screen size. Thanks for sharing your opinions.
June 18th, 2013 at 7:29 am
The very next time I read a blog, Hopefully it won’t fail me just as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read through, but I actually believed you would have something useful to say. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something that you could fix if you weren’t too busy searching for attention.
June 18th, 2013 at 10:19 am
Hey there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting sick and tired of Wordpress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
June 18th, 2013 at 10:31 am
Pitiful to the enormous evaluation, however Now i’m truly warm the revolutionary Microsoft zune, together with optimism it, and the remarkable critical reviews other individuals have developed, can assist you analyse if it will be the answer you’re looking for.
June 18th, 2013 at 12:11 pm
Fantastic concepts on this website. Its rare these days to find web sites with data you’re looking for. I’m pleased I chanced on this webpage. I will certainly bookmark it or even register for your rss feeds merely to be updated on your new posts. Keep up the nice job and Im sure some other folks researching valued info will actually quit by and benefit from your web site for resources.
June 18th, 2013 at 1:37 pm
Hey very nice site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds also…I’m happy to find a lot of useful info here in the post, we need work out more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
June 19th, 2013 at 12:03 am
Hello, I found this page by mistake when searching on The search engines and then I came to your page. I am compelled to tell you that your site is truly great I certainly like your style! At this time I have a entire lot of totally free time to go via your webpage so I saved it. I will be back soon enough. Congrats for this fantastic website.
June 19th, 2013 at 2:12 am
Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve visited this web site before but after looking at many of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely pleased I found it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back often!
June 19th, 2013 at 5:23 am
Brazil combines the superlatives: the bay of Rio, one of the most beautiful in the world, dominated by the Sugar Loaf and Christ the Redeemer, the legendary beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, the Iguazu Falls, one of the most impressive globe,