Kyra Davis is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Just One Night, Pure Sin and Sophie Katz series as well as So Much For My Happy Ending. Just One NIght has been optioned for television by Anonymous, (the producers of True Detective) Before publishing her first book, Sex, Murder And A Double Latte in 2005 Kyra supported herself and her son as a marketing manager for a sports club and before that was a department manager at Nordstrom’s Savvy department. She studied at The Fashion Institute Of Design and Merchandising and Golden Gate University.
Kyra now lives with her husband (director and screenwriter, Rod Lurie), her teenage son (proud science-geek and Hawaiian-Shirt-aficionado), dog (champion eater and guardian of the backyard…no squirrel will dare set foot in it) and gecko (the gecko doesn’t do much).
Social Links:
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Amazon
1. How and when did you get started as a writer?
I didn't start writing until I was in the middle of my divorce from my first husband. It was a difficult time. I was frustrated, anxious and angry. So I channeled all my violent impulses and wrote a murder mystery in which I killed off a bunch of men. Seriously though, it was while writing that book that I realized I had found a new direction for my life. Writing saved me. That murder mystery ended up being my first published novel, Sex, Murder And A Double Latte.
2. How do you usually find your ideas?
The news, social observations, art, my life, you never know where a great idea will come from.
3. Where do you write from? (home, office etc.)
I have a home office which I share with my dog (she hangs out under my desk and give me emotional support and valuable advice).
4. How long does it take you to write a book?
Totally depends on the book. For me, to craft a novel with really strong prose, interesting complexities and originality requires at least four months. But I do miss the days when the standard was a book a year. That really allowed authors to be artistic and thoughtful with their prose and approach and gave much more time for research in order to establish true authenticity.
5. What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
I try to keep my writing confined to relatively normal working hours, finishing up by 6 or 7 at the latest so I can spend time with my husband and son. But when a deadline is approaching I frequently work until all hours of the night.
6. Do you have any suggestions to help become a better writer? If so, what are they?
I strongly believe that to be the best writer you can be you have to expose yourself to great authors of many different kinds of genres, not just the genre you're writing in. It will expand your mind, open you up to unique approaches and perspectives and push you creatively.
7. Something personal about you people may be surprised to know?
Honestly, I'm so open about my life I don't know that much would surprise people at this point. Maybe that I have strong convictions in regards to politics, social issues and social evolution. I read up and seek out sources of different biases and political ideologies so I can get the whole story. These are the kind of things I don't post about on my Facebook fan page. I'm there to have fun with readers, not to start debates.
8. What is your greatest weakness?
Probably my poor organizational and time-management skills
9. What is your greatest strength?
I generally give good advice to friends and family and am able to help them see things from different perspectives.
10. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
An actress. I used to imagine what it would be like to get my Academy Award
Quick Q&A
1. Favorite movie. It's a tie between two of my husband's movies: The Contender with Jeff Bridges and Nothing But The Truth with Alan Alda, Kate Beckinsale and Vera Farmiga
2. Favorite website. Oh I don't know...I spend the most time on Facebook
3. Favorite color. It changes. Right now I'm kind of into pink.
4. Favorite book. Too many to choose from!!! Maybe Toby Barlow's Sharp Teeth or Anne Rice's Feast Of All Saints, but I'm a big Edith Wharton and Fitzgerald fan too...and then Toni Morrison, Liane Moriarty...don't make me choose!!
5. Favorite country. U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!