Getting to Know Kayla Tirrell

I’m so excited to kick off my interview series with my anthology-mate, Kayla Tirrell! We both have stories in The Art of Taking Chances and I’ve enjoyed getting to know (haha) Kayla over the past six months.

Kayla has loved to read as long as she can remember. While she started out reading spooky stories that had her hiding under her covers, she now prefers stories with a bit more kissing. When she gets a chance to watch TV, she enjoys cheesy sci-fi and superhero shows. Most days, you’ll catch her burning dinner in an attempt to cook while reading just one more chapter. Kayla lives in the sunshine state with her husband and three boys.

Her latest release, The Date Maker, is about a college student looking to make some extra money, so she starts a dating service. She figures what’s the worst that can happen, right?

Here’s what people are saying:

“The Date Maker is adorably cute and creative. It’s a brilliant set up for what promises to be a fun series. I can’t wait to experience each and every Disastrous Date!” -Robin Daniels, author of The Perfect Series

“If you’re looking for a new book boyfriend, you’ve come to the right place. The Date Maker will introduce you to a host of worthy candidates, each more charming than the last.” -M. F. Lorson, author of Stage Kiss

“Kayla did it again!” -Candyce of The Book Dutchesses

The Date Maker is the first series of five novellas, and Kayla’s giving away super cute swag to a lucky reader!

You could win a coffee mug, two buttons, sticker and bookmark

You have a couple ways to enter:

1) comment on this blog – OR –
2) share on social media! But be sure to tag Kayla so we can keep track of the entries (her social links are at the bottom, and that’s not just a ploy to get you to read the interview… really…)

Buy The Date Maker

(The next book in the series comes out TOMORROW, so be sure to grab it!)

Now for the fun stuff!

What’s your favorite genre? Do you read what you write?

I love everything YA! My favorite sub-genres have to be fantasy and science fiction. (And I hope to write in them one day!) But for now, I write YA contemporary romance.

What’s your favorite part about writing?

Getting to know my characters! The best is when I’m writing and they do something I wasn’t expecting. (And then figuring out how that’s going to change the plot…)

Melanie here. That’s one of my favorite parts about writing as well!

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

The 60% mark. I’m sure that’s not exactly what you mean when you ask this, but the 60% mark kills me in every. single. story.

I think that’s common with a lot of writers I’ve talked to. The dreaded middle didn’t get that name without reason…

What’s an activity unrelated to writing that you love?

DANCING! I’m terrible at it, but it’s my favorite!

Who’s your biggest cheerleader?

Honestly, I’m so blessed to have a lot of people I can call my “biggest” cheerleader and have a hard time narrowing it down. My husband, my kids, my writing besties, my mother in law, a couple of friends, ARC readers… seriously. Don’t make me choose!!!

I love that you have so many people cheering for you! Writing is so isolating so having loved ones on your side makes it so much easier.

Now I’d like to play a fun little game called This or That. As a writer, I find that a lot of interviews ask the same questions, so I always appreciate sharing something new about myself. I’m super excited about these questions—and I hope you enjoy them!

Introvert or extrovert?
Extrovert

Morning or night person?
Morning

Coffee or tea?
Coffee

Sweet or salty?
Sweet

Eternal summer or four seasons?
Seasons (although I live in the land of eternal summer)

Mountains or beach?
Mountains (though I live near the beach)

Dogs or cats?
Neither *ducks head*

Over 5’5” or under?
Under

Left or right-handed?
Left

Hoodie or yoga pants?
Yoga pants

Hey! We’re both left-handed and under 5’5″. I think we should start a club! But we need to talk about your neither answer…

Kayla, thank you SO MUCH for spending time with us! To my readers, you can find Kayla online here:

tirrellblewrites.com | Facebook.com/KaylaTirrellWrites
twitter.com/ThatsTirrellble | instagram.com/thats_tirrellble

(I seriously love the play on your name.)