Author Review: Kerr-Ann Dempster

Kerr-Ann Dempster

Kerr-Ann Dempster lives in Michigan where she is often found with her nose in a book, her toes in the sand/snow, and online fan-girling over fictional characters and fellow authors. She is a graduate of Loyola University, Chicago where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. After working in Visual Communications and as a Flight Attendant, Kerr-Ann decided that life was best spent being happy. With that in mind, she published her first novel, Beneath Scarlett Valley, in August 2014. She then published her second novel, The Reluctant Sacrifice, in August 2015.

To learn more about Kerr-Ann, connect with her on: Facebook (Kerr Ann), Instagram (author.kerr), Twitter (@annk3rr), or via her website (www.kdempster,com). You may also find her in line at Moomers purchasing homemade ice cream.

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I had the pleasure of reading The Reluctant Sacrifice, one of Kerr-Ann's novels,  in a book club recently (check my latest book review). She is a brilliantly talented writer and I have enjoyed getting to know her through our little book club. I asked if she was willing to do an interview for you guys and she was kind enough to agree! So here is a little information about Kerr-Ann. I hope you enjoy, and please go check out The Reluctant Sacrifice. You won't regret it! 

1. Please tell your readers a little about yourself and how you began writing. 

I’ve always had ideas in my head. As a kid, I used to make up stories that went on for weeks at a time. It’s just always been there. I used to think it made me a weirdo, but as I grew older I understood these stories were meant to be written down and shared. I first started out writing and directing plays at a local church, then I went through a phase where I wrote poetry and song (a lot of depressing stuff that will never see the light of day). Eventually, I began jotting my stories down and fleshing them out, but I kept getting bogged down by the tiny details and would give up. Once I figured out an organization system and focused on one idea at a time, things began coming together.

2. What was your inspiration for The Reluctant Sacrifice? 

Aubrey sort of popped into my head and refused to go away until I explored her story. I first saw her running through the market, terrified of the a lightening storm and the hunter who was casting it. I wrote down everything I saw, tossed it aside, and went back to writing Beneath Scarlett Valley. A few years later I found myself wondering if the hunter caught up to Aubrey. So, I picked it up and began exploring the story.

3. What type of research did you have to do before writing The Reluctant Sacrifice?

I wanted the dialogue to be authentic, so I studied how people spoke: their rhythms, tones, and accents, and even the way their bodies moved. I also researched how hawks hunt and interact (most of that research was carried over to The Reluctant Huntress in the end).

4. What has been the greatest moment in your writing career? 

Every moment is the greatest moment ever. Impossible? Not when I’m living my dream. I grew up in a bleak corner of a third world country with dreams of writing and absolutely no opportunity of doing so. Then, the impossible happen. For me, every moment of this journey is surreal.

5. What is the best piece of advice you have been given that you would like to pass on to your readers?

Be happy. It sounds like a simple, obvious thing, but most of us don’t allow ourselves to be happy. We beat ourselves up for every little failure, we cling to the wrong people because they make us special, and we sacrifice our happiness because we want to fit in and be liked. Don’t. Find the things that make you happy and pursue them, even if you have to do so alone. Eventually the right people will come into your life.

6. Describe to your readers in one sentence why they should read The Reluctant Sacrifice. 

The Reluctant Sacrifice will whisk you away with its witty dialogue, page-turning plot, and diverse characters who will befriend, betray, and astonish you.