How old are you and where are you from?
I just had my 43rd birthday. I am from Ohio, born and raised.
How old were you when you realized you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve been writing for a while. At a very young age I enjoyed writing and creating stories. I was part of a creative writing class in the fifth grade. I often have fantasy in my head and writing them helps me get them out. I had never thought about publishing them until encouraged by my husband.
Tell us more about your book! What inspired you to write it?
The very first book I published came from my husband telling me to stop reading the same book and just write my own. I hated reading before I picked up Twilight. I had actually never read a novel before not even in school. Anytime I had to read something for class I’d always either ask my mother if she’d read the story and to tell me about it or go and rent the movie. I hated to read. I’m also a coach and at the time the girls I was coaching kept telling me that the book was way better than the movie and that they were disappointment because they’d left out parts from the book. I still didn’t want to read it, I did however rent the movie ‘Twilight’. I totally fell in love with the movie. Then one day I was at the movies watching something else and I saw the preview for New Moon.
I went back and kept asking the girls to tell me what happens, and they said read the book, no one would tell me, so I bought the first one read it in a day in a half and then went to the store and bought New Moon. Everyone was so shocked that I’d picked up a book, even my mother who was like who’s book is that, lol. I must have read those books like literary 50 times and then my husband was like you should write your own, so I did. I let a close friend read it and should told me to keep going. Then I had another player that had graduated years before calling me and tell me that she’d just finished my book and asked when was the next one coming out. I hadn’t even known she knew I’d published a book. From there I kept going even with reading, but I would only read fantasy fiction until my friend and then manager introduced me to Urban Fiction, that was cool but what I really fell in love with was Romance…true love stories. So, I switched my writing style to Romance. Every book I write has a personal piece of me inside. From Serenity who fell in love and married the coach to Storm who fell in love with her best friend. Each story I leave a piece of myself inside. Those that truly know me can easily spot the bread crumbs that I’ve left.
If you could relate to any character in your book, who would it be and why?
Ah that’s tough because I usually leave a piece of myself in every story. I would have to say Patience from all I Need Is Patience because she’s a loner whose comfortable with that. She’s also strong, philosophical, diligent, compassionate, and persistent.
What type of books do you enjoy? What are two of your favorites?
My two favorites are Romance and History.
Besides reading and writing, what else do you enjoy doing during your free time?
I don’t have much free time believe it or not. I’m a wife and mother with a three-year-old and a pre-teen that’s also an athlete… a baseball player. A Program Director for a youth volleyball program, a head coach of two of the teams, a player on the adult women’s team, and I have full time job. I have a very tight schedule and often find creative ways to read and write. Do you have any other businesses? My other business is my youth volleyball program.
If you could pick any song to describe your main character, what would it be?
I have sound tracks for all of my stories, for Beautiful Storm the main song was Tonight by John Legend.
Do you have any upcoming books in the works?
Yes, I am currently working on the fifth installment to my Serenity Series it’s called Because of You a story of Donte Morales and Tamia Delgado who have known each other since they were kids. Both have only ever loved each other but circumstance, personal demons, secrets and loyalty have kept them apart and still seem to threaten the happiness that they deserve. In addition to that, I am working on the third installment of my new series Harris Family Values, this is called Cherish. This is probably my favorite series. It started with Justin and Patience in All I Need Is Patience and then Beautiful Storm with his identical twin JaQuan and Storm. Cherish is Jaden’s story the older brother of the identical twins. He’s something else. He wants to please his father, keep his mother sane but he hides behind a mask that he’s not sure he’s ready to break free of that is until he meets his sister in-laws personal stylist, one look at her and he’s ready to come from behind that mask he’s hidden behind for some many years and live life to the fullest.
Do you have any book specials/giveaways or events coming up?
I have a give-away now of my last book All I need Is Patience (6 physical books available), the only thing I’m asking is for reviews within two weeks and after that good or bad reviews the person will receive a $15 gift card and a copy of my Beautiful Storm which is the next book in that series.
Where can readers keep up with you on social media? Post your usernames! Kegates.blogspot.com
Authorkaigates.wordpress.com
Goodreads.com/koolaid
Stories By Kai Gates @kegatestheauthor
Anything else you would like to share?
I enjoy creating stories for people to fall in love with. I enjoy interacting with new readers of my work and look forward to meeting many more.
Visit http://kegates.blogspot.com/ to pick up a copy of Kyra's books!
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