Do you love meeting new authors?
I do!
I want to introduce you to a fellow Scrivenings Press author, Kimberly Banet!
Kimberly Banet holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University. She started writing in 2020, and in 2023 Just Another Home was a Genesis Finalist. Kimberly and her husband Jeff have been married more than thirty-six years and have raised two grown children, Nicole and Brandon. They live in beautiful Starlight, Indiana with their two dogs, Daisy and Winnie.
Christina: Welcome, Kimberly!
Let’s talk books! What is your book called?
Kimberly: Just Another Home
Christina: When was it released?
Kimberly: May 7, 2024
Christina: Just last month! How fun. Is it a series?
Kimberly: Yes, this is book 1 in the Family Forever Series
Christina: Can you share your book blurb with us?
Kimberly: Yes!
Sixteen-year-old Sam Keller has lived in foster homes and group homes most of his life and has long ago given up on the dream of a stable, forever family. Adults have always let him down and so has God, and he has no use for either.
John and Abbie Grayson are a respected, successful couple in their fifties with two grown children. They live in their dream home in Franklin, TN, an idyllic suburb of Nashville, where John is a successful college basketball coach, and Abbie works part-time at their local church. But Abbie feels something is missing from her life and convinces John they should become foster parents.
Their worlds collide when Sam is placed in the Grayson home for a few days. Days turn into months, and Sam thrives with the Graysons and allows himself to dream of a forever family, while John and Abbie realize the teen has found his way into their hearts.
As the Graysons begin to investigate the possibility of adopting Sam, an evil agenda emerges, and a secret past is revealed. Nothing short of a miracle can save Sam from a harrowing ordeal and keep the Grayson family together.
Christina: That sounds like it could pull at the heartstrings.
What is the inspiration behind your story?
Kimberly: God’s love for orphans that is expressed throughout the Bible is my main inspiration, as well as the theme of the book, Romans 8:28.
Christina: I love that! What’s your favorite part of your writing process?
Kimberly: When I create my first draft, I just hit on all the major plot points from beginning to end. Once the first draft is complete, my favorite part is going back and inserting more scenes and conversations. This is where I really see my characters come alive and develop beyond what I could have imagined. When I’m in this stage of writing, I can’t wait to get back to it everyday just to see what happens.
Christina: I love that.
If you could give one piece of advice to budding creatives, what would it be?
Kimberly: Enter contests! Even if you know in your heart you won’t be a winner, the critiques you receive can be extremely valuable. I learned so much through contest critiques, and several judges even recommended books for me to read along the way. Once your writing improves, contests are a great way to get your writing noticed. That’s how I ended up with a publishing contract!
Christina: Great advice! Contest input is so valuable.
Okay, now for some fun! Name something quirky in your workspace.
Kimberly: I have a small, plush Lorelai Gilmore doll and some Rory Gilmore bookmarks on my desk, gifts from my daughter Nicole who lives 2800 miles away in Seattle. She has the Rory doll on her desk.
Christina: That’s so fun! Can you give a little backstory about these dolls?
Kimberly: These are from the TV show, Gilmore Girls, about a mother and daughter living in a quirky little town. I hated the show when my daughter watched it as a teen, but years later I found I loved it, and now it’s our favorite show to watch when we’re together. My husband gets us cheesecake so Nicole and I can drink coffee and eat cheesecake while we watch Gilmore Girls.
Christina: That’s great!
Speaking of snacks, what is your favorite snack to get your creative juices flowing?
Kimberly: I don’t really eat anything while I write, it’s too distracting to me, but I do love to drink coffee when I write. Just black.
Christina: I like it, caffeine keeps that writing flowing!
From writing to reading, what book are you reading right now?
Kimberly: I’m currently reading Forever Free by Hope Toler Dougherty. I’m about halfway through. It’s such a great story, and I love the flower farm setting.
Christina: Hope is a great author!
Here’s a fun question: You just won free tickets to anywhere in the world! Where are you going? And who are you taking?
Kimberly: That’s tough, because I’m honestly more of a homebody, but my first choice would be Seattle to see my daughter. And of course I’d take my hubby, son and my son’s girlfriend.
Christina: I haven’t been to Seattle in ages, but the scenery and the weather are wonderful! Fun choice!
Can you tell us what you’ll be working on next?
Kimberly: Right now, I’m working on book 2 of the Family Forever series and hope to have the manuscript completed by the end of the summer.
Christina: That’s great!
Let me ask you this, what are you looking forward to—and it doesn’t need to be writing-related—over the next few months?
Kimberly: I’m getting ready to do some fall craft shows where I’ll sell my book along with craft items. I haven’t crafted as much as I used to since it’s taken a backseat to writing, so I’m looking forward to that.
Christina: Craft shows are a great way to meet new readers!
Can you tell me what childhood story has stuck with you through adulthood?
Kimberly: Not a single story, but the entire Nancy Drew series. I couldn’t read them fast enough when I was growing up.
Christina: I love Nancy Drew!
How many unfinished writing projects do you have?
Kimberly: Just my current work-in-process. I’m not a good multi-tasker when it comes to book writing.
Christina: I can understand that!
I need to ask this because every writer gets asked this question: Are you a Plotter or a Pantser?
Kimberly: A little of both. I start with my major plot points, but a good deal of the story develops during the writing process, often even changing a major plot point.
Christina: Thank you for sharing with us Kimberly! I’ve enjoyed getting to know you and hearing about your new release, Just Another Home!
Kimberly: THANK YOU so much, Christina, for introducing me to your readers. This has been fun!
You can connect with Kimberly Banet through these social media sites:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyBanet.Author
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kimbanetauthor2023/
Twitter https://twitter.com/kimbanet_author
You can find Kimberly’s book here:
https://scriveningspress.com/book/just-another-home/