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Kelly Simmons: Everything's a Damn Novel
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As stated in her blog, Everything’s a Damn Novel, Kelly Simmons pulls from everything around her to put intensity, chills and thrills into her books. Her debut novel, Standing Still, follows Claire, who immediately offers herself instead when an intruder attempts to kidnap her sleeping daughter. Kelly deftly explores how we rise to the challenge and survive the things that life throws in front of us.
Kelly's debut novel was received with exceptional praise:
"Invigorating prose. Like Midnight Run with a female Charles Grodin." -- Entertainment Weekly
"An electrifying debut. The perfect read for a stormy night."
-- Starred Review from Publishers Weekly
“Simmons, in her debut, hits just the right notes to make this slim volume — believable, creepy and utterly readable. Claire's psychological journey is revealed bit by bit, leaving readers turning pages at top speed.” -- San Antonio Review
An excerpt from Standing Still was published in Philadelphia Stories in the August 2008 issue. See her local author profile, also published in Philadelphia Stories.
I asked Kelly to share some of her thoughts about being a writer:
Q. When did you first start to write? A. “I’ve always identified as a ‘writer’ – when I was a child it was poetry, and in college it was journalism. I started seriously writing fiction when I was in my late twenties.”
Q. What is your favorite genre? A. “I write literary fiction, usually with a mystery at its core. Some people find my books to be psychological thrillers, but that’s a bit salacious for me.”
Q. Do you have any recurring themes in your books? A. "Well, the women tend to be broken in some essential way. I also am pretty obsessed with what’s hidden – secrets, lies, terrible mistakes.”
Q. Do you have any writing philosophies you would like to share? A. “I believe in applying energy, not waiting for inspiration. You have to strike a balance between feeling and thinking. Some writers are more weighted on one side or the other, and the best ones have that balance. There are a great many would-be writers who can’t get out of their own way – they over think.”
Q. Do you have a general philosophy about the world/life/spirituality you would like to share? A. “One of my yoga teachers used to say: ‘Move like yourself’ I find that to be excellent advice for writing and living.”
Kelly is now working on her second novel, The Bird House, due out in 2010. Her debut novel, Standing Still, is available for order on her website (www.bykellysimmons.com) as well as Amazon.com. Kelly donates a percentage of the sales of Standing Still to help overcome domestic violence and panic disorder.
Kelly will be speaking at the Chestnut Hill Book Festival on Sunday July 12th at noon at the Borders in Chestnut Hill. She will also be at The Liars Club Independent Bookstore Party on Saturday July 25th at Between Books in Claymont Delaware.
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