A genuinely talented and wonderful author took time out of her very busy schedule to sit down and answer a few questions for us here at Joyfully Reviewed.  So, without further delay…let’s hear from

Midnyte Dupree a.k.a. K.L. Bjork

Did I read that you have only been writing for a few years?  Before this did you ever want to be a writer of did you have a different plan for yourself?
Hi Gracie!  Yes, I have only been writing for a few years.  I started writing in 2004 when I came across writing.com.  I wanted to write before then, but when I found all the support and information on writing.com I really got the boost I needed to start seriously.    I never set out specifically to be a writer, but in the back of my head I wanted to get published.  I use to be very career oriented before I had children, so my main focus was working at my day job.  When I had children my focus shifted to them and I found I had a little more time away from work and them when I could explore something else in my life.   Thus, my writing career blossomed.

How do you find a balance between your family, your writing, and your full-time job as a telecommunications analyst?
Balance?  That’s a very good question.  It’s very difficult and often my writing is pushed to the side.  I try to write a little something everyday, but the kids and husband are often demanding and unfortunately my writing suffers.  But every chance I get at lunchtime, I pull out my laptop or my notebook and write down something for my characters.  They are never far from my mind though.

When you first started writing you used the name K.L. Bjork, but now you are writing as Midnyte Dupree. Why the change?  Will you still use K.L. Bjork?
K.L. Bjork was a name I used before I thought to use a penname.  LOL.  After talking to some editors and other authors, they suggested I change my name to something a little sexier.  So I went with it and Midnyte Dupree was born.  I doubt I'll ever go back to K.L. Bjork.

Tell us a little about Midnyte and who she is.
Midnyte believes in happily ever after and the challenge to get there makes its more deserving.  She wants to think that everyone has a soulmate out there waiting for the right time to show themselves.  Love, magic, faeries, vampires, and anything else paranormal or extraterrestrial is believable to her and she wants those worlds to come alive for others. 

What are some of your favorite foods, movies, authors, and music?
I absolutely love Mexican food.  There is a little Mexican place by our house we love to go to…often.  LOL.  I don’t get a chance to go to see movies very much, but some of my favorites are You’ve got Mail and Must Love Dogs.  Love stories, of course.  Favorite authors are Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan, JC Wilder, Shiloh Walker, and gosh, there are so many others.    I love all sorts of music.  I don’t really have a favorite right now.  But some songs that are on my iPod right now are Smashing Pumpkins, Shinedown, Three Doors Down, and Linkin Park.  I also have some Celtic music on there as well.  I love of sorts.  LOL

Your stories all seem to have a paranormal element to them. Do you see yourself writing something different in the future?
I have always loved to think about the possibility of more out there in the world.  Life would be truly boring if we were all there was with no possibility of anything else.  That’s why I love to write paranormal, because it really brings to light the idea of more.  If I were to write something different, I would love to explore writing something about Scotland or Ireland.  I love the idea of the Fae and Goddesses. 

What is your perfect writing environment?  Do you prefer quiet or do you need noise?
Actually I can write in perfect silence or with a room full of yelling children.  LOL  I’ve learned to adapt a little in that department.  I guess though, I would prefer absolute silence, but I don’t get that too often. 

How do your stories develop?  Does the whole story come at once or does it develop as you are writing?
Usually the characters show themselves to me first, sometimes in the heat of a battle with the bad guy.  The story usually develops as I write, but every once in a while I’m able to outline the whole thing.  I actually like doing that better even though most the time it doesn’t end up the way I originally planned.  LOL

What are you reading right now?  Do you have a favorite author that is a must buy for you?
Right now I’m reading Megan’s Mark by Lora Leigh.  It’s a great read so far. 

I have a lot of authors I simply must have.  Some are Kresley Cole, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan, Laurell K. Hamilton, Cherry Adair, and JC Wilder to name a few. 

If you could bring any character from one of your books to life who would it be and why?
Oh goodness, probably Eli from Thorn of a Rose.  He is such a tortured soul I just want to bring him to life and give him a huge hug.  He needs it.  Thorn of a Rose is coming out in December at Twilight Fantasies.  It’s the third, never before published, story in my Elixir series.  It’s a vampire paranormal.  By the way, the first story in the Elixir series will be re-released in October; In My Hands is the title.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Yes.  The absolute best advice I ever received was to write.  Write everyday.  It doesn’t matter if it is for five minutes or 5 hours, but write something down everyday.  It will improve and advance your writing skills.

Do you ever get writer’s block and how do you handle it?
I don’t necessarily get writer’s block, more like story block.  LOL  When that happens I take a few days away from the story or I take the story in a completely crazy direction just to get my mind on something else for a little while.  I like to the leave the characters for a few days though then come back to them fresh.  The story seems to come easier that way.

Do you enjoy hearing from your readers and how should they contact you?
Yes, absolutely.  My readers can email me or they can find me on myspace .  They can also leave me a comment (which I love to get) on my website

Do you have someone who you consider a mentor?  How have they influenced your writing?
I don’t really have a mentor, but the girls that influenced my writing the most and got me started in this direction are the ladies at writing.com.  I haven’t visited them in a while, but they include Carol McKenzie, Frankie Belleville, and S.D. Grady.   They are a great group for encouragement and gave me helpful tips.  I miss you ladies!

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Yes, I just released my first and probably my only ménage story at Twilight Fantasies, titled Finding Her Place.  It got released on the 4^th of July!  It’s a really fun story full of adventure and love.  Also, my story Witch, that was released at Mardi Gras Publishing went all the way to number 3 on the Fictionwise (Mardi Gras) bestseller’s list.  I was very excited about that and thank you to everyone who bought it.  I truly hope you enjoyed it. 

Thank you so much Gracie and Joyfully Reviewed for the interview.  Great questions and I had a blast!