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A Conversation with Kayla Parent, a Romance, Horror Author
Kayla Parent, author of Melt, loves writing both romance and horror depending on her mood.
Kayla Parent has written over 150 digital stories and amassed hundreds of millions of reads across a dozen different platforms. Depending on her mood that day, she writes—and loves—both romance and horror. Her goals are to either make you fall in love with her characters, or frighten you enough to worry that one of them is hiding under your bed.
She currently lives in Massachusetts with her swoon-worthy husband Jimmy, her sweet son Garrett, and her mischievous beagle Gus. When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading. She’s enamored with historical romance, mythology, folk tales and true-life crime. She’s also a self-proclaimed champagne enthusiast, a chronic daydreamer, and popcorn fanatic.
Let’s get started with a quick rapid fire.
Q1. If you could be transformed into one mythological creature, which one would you choose?
One that is rare and very highly valued — the unicorn!
Q2. What time do you usually go to bed at night?
Earlier the better.
Q3. What are the least-likely three words someone would use to describe you?
Good at Math.
Q4. Where did you go on your last vacation?
My favorite city: London!
Q5. Would you rather find your dream job or win the lottery? You can’t do both.
I am lucky enough to have my dream job, so let’s win some numbers.
Q6. What is one thing you regret spending money on?
Professional clothing.
Q7. What object do you misplace or lose the most?
My mind?
Q8. If you were a spy, what would be your codename?
Kay Slay!
Q9. What secret about the universe would you most want to learn?
Where it all began…and where it’s going. “Chemistry. In its purest form. That’s what you’re feeling. I’m feeling it too. But the difference is I’m not trying to run away from it.”Kayla Parent, Melt.
Q10. What never fails to make you laugh?
More like who — my husband.
Q11. What was one “before” and “after” in your life?
Before my son, and after my son.
Q12. What do you think people misunderstand about you?
I get really nervous when people read my writing!
It’s time for a more detailed conversation, Kayla.
You’ve answered our rapid fire brilliantly, Kayla. Now, it’s time for our readers to know more about the person behind the book.
Q. Tell us something about yourself that’s going to keep us wanting more.
I have an endless amount of ideas! No matter where I am — the grocery store, watching a movie, half asleep in bed — I always have to stop and jot something down in my notes app. Sometimes the ideas make it into a story or book, and sometimes, thankfully, they never see the light of day.
Q. Well, that’s just…memorable for sure. So, what books have you read more than once in your life?
The Bridgertons series. Way before it was ever a Netflix series, my best friend and I would binge those books over and over. They were our little secret. When we found out a few years ago Shonda Rhimes was bringing them to life, to say we were excited would be an understatement. Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Harry Potter, which I’ve read cover to cover countless times.
Q. Interesting. Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing?
My husband. He’s a carpenter with no real interest in romance novels, but he’ll always sit and listen to my ideas, and read my books when they are really not up his alley! I’m so grateful for his love and support (and for him to read titles like “Trevor and the Virgin” with a straight face). You da best boo!
Q. Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
Oh yeah. My friends read my stories and they see me all over the pages. Especially my heroines. One might like champagne (like me), another might have an affinity for popcorn (also like me). And sometimes I give a character’s the dog the same name as mine, or use a quote from an inside joke. It would be impossible for me to write without doing that. It just comes out! “I’ve imagined being kissed a thousand times, but it didn’t prepare me for the enormity of the real thing. For the first few seconds, I freeze, just like I always do. But Chase is patient. His lips move slowly across mine, encouraging and enticing me forward at my own pace. Something inside me starts to melt, and I finally press my lips back against his, wanting more of the glorious high that’s releasing inside of me.”Kayla Parent, Melt.
Q. Now comes the most anticipated question that every author must answer. How do you process and deal with negative book reviews?
It depends on the negative review. If it’s thoughtful, I can respect it. Everyone has different opinions after all. But if it’s just negative to be negative, those usually tend to irk me. I just try and remind myself that writing a book is an accomplishment, and no negative review can take that away.
Q. What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?
Both, but mostly the plot. Usually when I’m daydreaming I think of a wacky, fun scenario and then figure out who would best fit in it. Sometimes I just think of one line that I want a character to say, and develop a story around that. It’s all different.
Q. How do you develop your plot and characters?
By writing. I’m a person that just writes it all out, then makes major changes later. I find that easier than harping over small details that may easily come to me later after getting started. Sometimes I do get hung up on names though. Why is that so hard?!
Q. You got 100 points. You need to divide them on the basis of how relevant and important they are to you as a reader and a writer for your book or someone else’s as a reader. Your options are Plot/Story, Dialogues, Book Cover, Marketing, and, Reviews.
Dialogue – 50 points! So important for me in both writing and reading. Plot/ story — 20 points. Reviews (unfortunately) — 10 points, and marketing — 10, and book cover — 10! Although all are needed to add up to 100.
Q. So, now, about your book. Talk to us about it. No major spoilers.
Melt was a labor of love. Usually I’m a quick writer, but this took a little bit more time than usual. Which might make sense since it’s a slow burn. The story is about soulmates, and how one moment in time can change your life forever. And about being brave enough to make a choice that means your happiness in the long run. Chase came to me very easily, but Birdie was much more of a challenge. Usually it’s the opposite, but Melt was just special like that I guess, lol.
Q. What part of the book did you enjoy the most while writing?
All the Christmas elements! I’m a huge holiday fan so it was a blast “hanging lights on the book” so to speak. I’ve always wanted to write a Christmas story, and finally be able to do it meant so much to me. Imagining the set dressing was a pleasure when it’s usually such a chore.
Q. What is your kryptonite as a writer?
Long narrative dialogue. I usually try to keep all that as short as possible, but sometimes, the story needs more, and I have to dig deep to be able to supply it. I’m much more in my element writing fast and quick dialogue. That’s what I like reading and that’s what I like writing!
Q. What risks have you taken with your writing that have paid off?
Releasing my books! Lol. Putting yourself out there, and your writing out there, isn’t easy, and for some reason, for me it’s particularly hard. I don’t mind reviews, but writing is a piece of your soul that you’re giving up for the world to see. It’s daunting. Especially when friends and family read.
Q. Let’s talk about the process of writing. Do you do research while writing a book to add more authenticity? What kind and how far do you go – ever traveled to a foreign place just for the sake of your book?
I wish I traveled to a foreign place to research my books! I hope to do that one day in the future. But usually I stick to what I know, which is the northeast United States, so I set my books there. That said, I’ve researched tons of other topics. I feel like I’m googling something every page. I know this has been said before but, my search history is creepy!
Q. What was your hardest scene to write?
The ending/reconciliation scene. The whole book is building up to that one moment, and it’s hard to be satisfied and feel that I did it justice. I usually end up writing that over and over. Readers want that happily ever after, and if the reader feels like everything fell flat, what’s the point?
Q. Well, this has been great. Now, before we wrap this up, do you have any suggestions to help someone become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Write, write, and write some more! Even if it’s crap. There will always be time to edit later. Once you have words on a page, you’ll feel confident enough to continue. And don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone has their own journey, and what someone else is doing doesn’t have anything to do with yours.
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