Romance Sub-genre(s): Romantic Suspense
Steam Level: 3 to 4 chili peppers
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Describe yourself in three words.
A hot mess!
What are three fun facts about you?
- I own twelve pair of cowboy boots and need more.
- I'm from Northern New Jersey but I really should have been born in Dallas because I love boots and bling.
- I HATE coffee!
What do you do for fun when you aren’t writing?
Read. Cart my kids around to their activities. Exercise. Walk my dogs.
How did you discover writing as a possible career?
I've been reading romance since I was fourteen and have known since then I wanted to be an author.
How did you choose your pen name?
It's my maiden name and Wolf is much cooler than Clement.
Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
I work in government technology. I find the majority of my external plots while talking to technology leaders about worst-case scenarios.
What trope is your favorite to write?
Opposites Attract
What is your favorite thing about being an author?
Meeting readers
What is your writing process?
I have a terrible time sitting in front of a computer and looking at a blank page when I start a new book, so I typically start with a notebook and just start writing ideas. Once I get an idea of who the characters are, I'll go to the laptop and start writing scenes.
What time of day are you most creative?
First thing in the morning, like at 5 AM.
What is your ideal writing environment?
My office. My son left for the Navy a few weeks. Once he committed and it was clear he wouldn't be home very often, we moved rooms around and I now have my very own space three bookshelves, a huge L-shaped desk, a futon with fluffy pillows that my dogs hang out on, a window with lots of sunlight, all my bookish things, and pictures and artworks of my kids. It's perfect. Sometimes I sleep in there when I stay up late writing.
As an author, what challenges do you face?
Imposter Syndrome. When I start to doubt myself, whether it's in my writing, the way I market, decisions I make, etc. I procrastinate and then I beat myself up for not getting anything done.
What is your least favorite part of being an author?
The financial part.
If there was one thing you could change about the writing/publishing industry, what would it be?
Right now, I wish KDP was easier to deal with.
What advice would you give aspiring authors?
Writing is not a solitary endeavor. You need your tribe. Join author groups on social media. Join a local writing group. Share your pages and ask for critiques and critique other's work.
What is something you’d like to write, but haven’t yet?
Dark romance and romantsy
Which parts of yourself are reflected in your characters?
Probably more than I realize. Cannon in Knife to the Heart hates coffee. That's me. Beth in Too Lethal to Love loves Christmas trees. That's me too. I have a WIP where the FMC is an elite cheerleader who owns a coaching/choreographer business. I was a cheerleader and a coach for many, many years.
Which of your characters have special meaning to you?
Lieutenant Commander Chris Daviani in my debut Novel, Too Dangerous to Love. He is named after my real-life hero and dear friend who I considered family, Christopher Charles Amoroso. Christopher was a port authority police offer who died rescuing people from the towers on 9/11.
How do you come up with character names?
Naming Chris was easy because who else would I name my first hero after? Sometimes I name characters after friends and family. Beth in Too Lethal to Love is named after my real-life best friend. I try not to have character names that start with the same letter because it can be confusing for the readers so sometimes I just Google names that start with a certain letter and pick one that seems right. I often change character names several times throughout the writing process until a name feels right.
What is something you love to hear from your readers?
They suggested my book to someone else.
When you read, which authors are your go-to authors?
Nora Roberts, Rebecca Zanetti, Adriana Anders, Sarah J. Mass,
Jennifer Armentrout, Brynne Weaver
Where can readers find you online?
Website - https://www.kristiewolf.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KristieAWolf/about/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kristiewolf_author/
What is your latest/upcoming release?
Too Lethal to Love, Project VIPER Book Two - http://bit.ly/kristiewolfauthor
Any other thoughts you'd like to share?
My books feature fearless heroes and badass heroines who fight for justice and love while burning up the pages.