Meet Debut Author Lavinia Kent

Lavinia Kent is a four time Golden Heart® finalist whose debut novel, A Talent for Sin, a Regency from Avon Books, is scheduled for release May 26.

Growing up in New York state and Wisconsin, Lavinia graduated from Wellesley College and, for reasons that are still not quite clear, also holds an MBA from Washington, D.C.’s Georgetown University. She has remained in Washington ever since.

She lives under the gracious (and usually benign) rule of Erzsebet, the cat, along with her husband, three children, one cockatiel, two rats, and Erzsebet’s younger, subordinate tomcat, otherwise known as The Golden Snitch.

As the mother of three, Lavinia finds leisure time to be ever-elusive, but when she’s not reading romance novels, she watches far too much HBO and reality television. It must also be noted that she has an encyclopedic knowledge of all things Buffy.

Lavinia is active in Romance Writers of America®. She’s currently serving her second term as president of the Washington Romance Writers chapter of RWA®. I got to know her through our 2008 GH loop, the Pixie Chicks as we call ourselves.

Join me as we learn about Lavinia, her writing and her debut novel.

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The Journey Begins

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•Lavinia, when did you begin writing with a goal of publication? What led you put those first words on the page? Did you have a character who began talking to you, have a scene you couldn’t get out of your head, or read a book and think, “I want to write something like that?”

I’ve always made up stories in my head–when I am walking, falling asleep, waiting for an appointment. One of the most shocking moments of my life was at one of my first Washington Romance Writers meetings when somebody mentioned that not everybody did this. It had truly never occurred to me that this wasn’t a common thing.

I started writing (but did not finish) my first romance novel when I was in college. I had just gotten my first computer and it seemed like a miracle. It was a Harlequin Presents with a secret baby, a millionaire hero, amnesia, a near death experience, and a big case of mistaken identity.

I am not really sure what prompted me to put the first words on paper beyond the new computer and the fact I no longer had to use the typewriter.

It wasn’t until I had my first child that I actually finished a book. During the wonderful age when he took two naps a day, I always saved one nap for writing. That book also was a Harlequin Presents and will stay forever locked out of sight.

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•How long did it take you to write your first story? Was it a fantastic piece of work, or could someone blackmail you if they were to get a copy and threaten to post excerpts on the Internet?

Definite blackmail material. Harlequin actually liked the first chapters, but when I sent the whole book it actually came back with a couple of “Yuck’s” written in the margins.

It took me about four months to write it. That’s about what it still takes me to write a solid first draft. Of course, that only takes into account time spent physically at the computer. I spend months thinking about plots as I chauffer my kids around. I would guess it takes me about 100 hours of actually sitting at the computer to write a book–WHICH DOES NOT MEAN I COULD WRITE ONE IN THREE WEEKS!! My brain definitely needs a lot of down time.

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Peaks

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•You began to experience success as early as 2004 when you finaled in some chapter contests. And then in 2005 you received your first of three “You’re a Golden Heart finalist” calls from RWA. Another came in 2006, this time to say you were a double finalist. And in 2008, you got word you’d earned a fourth final. What was your reaction the first year? Did you experience the same thrill when your phone rang the following years?

The first year was strange. I had actually entered the year before but had made a mistake on figuring page count and was disqualified. I didn’t even know what the day of the calls was in 2005. I didn’t even consider that I could final so I never checked. It’s probably a good thing too, because I never got a call. RWA had my phone number wrong so they couldn’t reach me. I started to get calls from friends congratulating me, but I didn’t believe it until RWA put the list up. The first year is definitely the Cinderella year.

The other years were really great, but never quite the same thrill. The last year I was terrified of not finaling. There is so much luck involved and I was so scared. I was starting to wonder if I was already a “has been.”

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•In May 2008 you received another call. The Call. Your agent called to say you had a two-book deal with Avon Books. I can’t get my fill of call stories, so please share yours with us.

I’d actually had a Call two years before and turned it down. I’d come to really regret it–although, with hindsight it worked out well, but I certainly had points when I was convinced I’d been an arrogant fool. (I am still not sure I wasn’t).

This time I received an offer from a different publisher and, after my agent negotiated with them for about a week, was ready to take it. While I was waiting to hear back from my agent about accepting the offer, she called to tell me that Avon had also made an offer. I was absolutely floored. I had dreamed of being an “Avon Lady” for years and to have it actually happen really was a dream come true.

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Valleys

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•You put years of preparation into your writing before you landed your first contract. What were some of the biggest pothole and pitfalls you encountered? How did you deal with them? What encouragement would you offer writers who have yet to sign their first contract?

I think the biggest pitfall is giving up. I was really lucky to have great friends and a fabulous critique group and knew that persistence was the key. I had seen friends struggle for years and then make it just when they needed it the most. I think the biggest lesson I learned was to just keep going and to keep doing new things.

My first historical book (my first GH finalist) was very well received but then never went anywhere. My second book (my personal favorite) just didn’t hit the right note with editors. I got a lot of “she’s got a great voice, but I just didn’t love it” rejections. I think my hardest hit was that my agent didn’t want to send my third historical out. The heroine was too naïve (she probably is). I debated whether to try and fix it or to just keep writing fresh. I decided to write fresh and my fourth book is the one that sold.

So, just keep at it. You can’t succeed if you don’t keep working.

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The Journey Continues

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•Your first book will be on the shelves in just a few days, and you have a contract for a second. Once your work on Bound by Temptation is finished, what project will you work on next? Another Regency? Or do you have plans to write in other sub-genres?

I am in the middle of writing a couple of proposals for my editor. I plan to write more Regencies. I do have ideas for a few other things, but I really want to build up a reputation for the Regencies before I branch out. I definitely believe that you need to give readers what they expect before you start throwing curve balls. Plus, I love Regencies and have about six of them wandering around my brain.

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Your “Firstborn”

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•Please tell us a little about your debut novel.

One of my greatest problems as a writer is that I hate answering this question. I have many friends who are great at talking about their books. It always makes me feel strange.

A Talent for Sin is the story of Violet, Lady Carrington, a widow in her early 30’s who has become involved with the younger, dashing Lord Peter St. Johns. Lord Peter wants marriage and Violet is not convinced that she wants to give up her independent status. The book is fundamentally a relationship story–the story of how a couple can grow to trust and respect each other.

I was inspired to write this book by two basic thoughts. The first was that I wanted to write about an older experienced heroine–something a little different than the more naïve heroines I’d written in earlier books.

My second was a debate on whether it was possible to start a book with a love scene and have it be relevant and not just titillating. In A Talent for Sin the first scene is about showing how Lord Peter’s one concern is Violet. It is designed to show the dynamics of how their relationship works.

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Just for Fun

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•Since you’re a fan of reality TV, I have two questions for you.

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1) Which are your favorite shows?

I love the cooking and fashion ones–Hell’s Kitchen, Top Chef, Project Runway, America’s Next Top Model, Make Me a Super Model (yes, I love the modeling ones for the clothes and photos).

I also still watch the Survivor–my husband is convinced I am the only person in the world who does. I like how the show has changed as all the players have watched the past seasons and learned from them. It’s like watching evolution.

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2) If a studio offered you funding, a staff and a studio to produce your own reality show, what would it be about?

I think I’d like one about Art. I was a painter in college and love the whole creative process and seeing how different people take the same input and come up with something completely different.

I’d love one about writing, but can’t think of a way to make it fun to watch.

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Conclusion

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I’ve enjoyed having you as my guest, Lavinia. And now it’s your turn to ask a question of your visitors. What would you like to know?

I want to know if people see book-buying tendencies changing. We certainly read that romance is doing well, but are readers being more careful? I’ve heard of some readers who have recently set budgets for books. They may not actually buy less but they definitely think more about each purchase. I’ve also heard of one person who now buys books instead of going to movies because the pleasure per dollars last longer. What does everybody think?

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Learn More About Lavinia

Visit her Web site: http://www.laviniakent.com

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Leave a Comment for Your Chance to Win

My next drawing will take place May 20th. The winner will have a choice of a $15 gift card to Starbucks, Sees Candy or Barnes and Noble. Coffee, chocolate or books? Tough choice, isn’t it?

To enter the drawing, just leave a comment on any blog post by May 20th and enter your email address when prompted. (I don’t share your information or add it to any mailing lists.) On May 21st, I’ll post the winner’s name in the Welcome post at the top of the blog.

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You could also win a First Sale Scrapbook!

If you’d like to have a chance at winning a First Sale Scrapbook created by your blog hostess, Keli Gwyn, leave a comment on any post between now and May 31. Be sure to include your name and email address when prompted if you want to be entered in the drawing. (Your information will not be shared.) Click red link above to see samples of covers and pages.

On June 1, Keli will choose one person who will have her/his choice of several covers on an 8×8 inch, twenty-page scrapbook in which s/he can document that long-awaited first sale. The pages will cover various milestones including The Call, signing the contract, receiving the first advance payment and holding your “firstborn” in your hands.

(No scrapbooking skills required. You just add your photos and journaling.)