IndieView with Kelley Rose Waller, author of The Senator’s Youngest Daughter

Politics are the setting of my book, but the real story is about a family. To me, family is the best cradle for story-telling: marriage, siblings, parents.

Kelley Rose Waller – 17 November 2016

The Back Flap

Senator A.C. McFerren has been missing for more than six months. The obvious prime suspect in his disappearance is the homegrown terrorist group known as the Army of Social Justice.

Searching for her kidnapped father leads Brenna McFerren Jefferson to the terrorists’ elusive “Death of Government” headquarters, known as The Doghouse. But nosing around where the federal government won’t investigate puts a target on her family and sets in motion a rebellion she isn’t prepared to lead.

Dreams of liberty cause the Senator’s daughter to disguise herself for undercover recon, recruit a high-ranking defector, and partner with a subversive news agency that combats government propaganda. As Brenna’s strength and family ties are tested, she unites a political party that commands the power to transform the United States.

About the book

What is the book about?

The Senator’s Youngest Daughter is about an American family working together to free their father from a homegrown terrorist group and working against a corrupt president and his widespread, technologically savvy propaganda.

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing The Senator’s Youngest Daughter in May 2014.

How long did it take you to write it?

To finish the first draft took just over a year, but editing took another 18 months.

Where did you get the idea from?

I had a dream about a young woman trying to escape from a place called The Doghouse. The story evolved a lot from there, but that’s what started me past the blank first page.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I don’t like writing characters’ deaths because they become so real.

What came easily?

I’m very extroverted, so writing dialogue is my favorite. The McFerren family in the book operates very similarly to my own: very loving but sarcastic and competitive, too.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

They are borrowed from people I love, and a few I dislike.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

How do you list just a few? Ayn Rand showed me you can write a book that is politically educational but also riveting. Francine Rivers showed me you can write a woman with strong internal dialogue that isn’t distracting. J. K. Rowling showed me that you can kill those you love. (No! Not Dobby!) C. S. Lewis showed me that a compelling message can take many forms.

Do you have a target reader?

Women who are aware that politics involves more than what the media says is important.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I wrote a complete first draft without doing much editing. I made huge changes in the following drafts until everything was cohesive.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I did not use an outline for this book, as the story unfolded for me without much difficulty. I have used outlines for other projects.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I make edits to each sentence, but don’t edit paragraphs and chapters until I’m done.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Yes, I used John David Kudrick. 

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Yes, I listen to movie soundtracks, primarily Hans Zimmer and John Williams.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Yes.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

After investing so much of myself in a project, not getting an agent wasn’t going to stop me from making it available to anyone who was interested. Plus, it’s hard to know when you’re writing about a very controversial subject if the rejections are of the writing or of the content.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

My book cover was designed professionally by Laure Kline of Lime Creative. She also did the layout of the book interior and of the eBook.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

My “day job” for the past twelve years has been working at a marketing agency, so, yes, I wrote a marketing plan for myself. However, I’ve quickly learned that it’s different to spend your own money!

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Lancaster, PA, which is one of the main settings in my book.

Where do you live now?

I still live in Lancaster, PA.

What would you like readers to know about you?

Politics are the setting of my book, but the real story is about a family. To me, family is the best cradle for story-telling: marriage, siblings, parents. Everything is richer when there’s a history.

What are you working on now?

My husband and I had a stillborn daughter in 2011, so I’m working on a novel about a woman in the aftermath of a similar experience.

End of Interview:

For more from Kelley visit her website or like her Facebook page.

Get your copy of The Senator’s Youngest Daughter from Amazon US or Amazon UK.