Ken O’Neill-Interview with the Author

TRC: Hi Ken and welcome to The Reading Cafe.  We would like to start with some background information.  Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Ken: I have been an actor, a massage therapist and now a writer. I’m very much enjoying the writing. I live in New York City with my partner. And can’t really imagine living anywhere else, though spending a couple of years in a foreign city like London or Rome sounds very fun to me.

TRC: As a child, what were you aspirations and dreams growing up?

Ken: I remember wanting to be a member of the Royal Family. When I learned that as an American that was going to be tricky goal to achieve, I dreamed of being an actor.

TRC: The Marrying Kind is your first novel. Would you please tell us about the premise of the novel?

Ken: The Marrying Kind is about a gay wedding planner, Adam More, who realizing he has devoted his work life to creating events he and his partner Steven are forbidden by federal law from having for themselves. So he quits the business and organizes a boycott to get all gays to stop working in the wedding industry. They even decide to stop attending weddings, which is fine until Adam’s sister becomes engaged to Steven’s brother.

TRC: Did you learn anything from writing this particular novel?

Ken: Patience and discipline. Two things that are essential if you are going to write. And, since I’ve written a comic novel, I learned to focus more on the story and less on the jokes.

TRC: What message are you trying to convey to the readers?

Ken: I didn’t really think about a message while I was actually writing—aside from wanting to say something positive about marriage equality. But the more I read my book the message I find is that we must all stand up for what matters to us, even when it’s hard.

TRC: How much of the novel is based on your own experiences?

Ken: 13 and a half percent. (That’s an estimate.) The novel really is a work of fiction. I’ve never worked in the wedding industry. Though I am gay and have been with my partner for 15 years. I would like to be able to be married. And I am half Romanian. (Also see pet question below.)

TRC: What or who was the catalyst that sparked your desire to write?

Ken: I received a great deal of encouragement from teachers over the years, who often had very positive things to say about papers I wrote. But I was not very interested in being a writer. When I was younger, I didn’t have the patience for it. The catalyst for writing The Marrying Kind came when I saw a wedding planner on Oprah. As Oprah would say, I had an “Aha moment.”

TRC: What challenges have you faced as a writer?

Ken: Like most artists there is the challenge of finding time, especially when you are not being paid to write.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties have you faced getting your novel published?

Ken: Oh my. I might win the prize. My agent sold my book several years back and then the contract didn’t arrive. She learned that everyone at the company had been fired and replaced with new people! So she pitched the book again to the new people and they bought it (again). Then about five weeks before it was to be released they went bankrupt. So my agent shopped my book yet again! And thankfully it was acquired by Bold Strokes Books and is now, finally really for sale.

TRC: Do you have a specific writing style?

Ken: While I would love to write a dark, edgy thriller, I seem mostly to be drawn to comedy.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas with other authors, or between family and friends. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Ken: I tend to be very closed until I have a lot written. I talk to my partner about it. But even with him I’m pretty vague until I have a first draft.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Ken: Here’s an example of me being vague. I’ll just say I don’t think you have seen the last of Adam and Steven.

TRC: So… a sequel!!

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Ken: It’s so hot here in New York today. It would be a perfect day to escape to the beach with a really funny book. Might I suggest The Marrying Kind? Please don’t forget your sunscreen.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
A really good thin-crust pizza.

Favorite Dessert
Flourless chocolate cake

Favorite TV Show
I don’t watch TV as a rule. I don’t have cable. BUT I discovered Downton Abbey on DVD and think it is amazing. I cannot wait for season 3.

Favorite Movie
There is a very small list of films I have seen more than a half dozen times. They include, Harold and Maude, The Pink Panther and Bringing Up Baby. But, for my favorite, I’m going to go with What’s Up Doc.

Last Movie you saw
Headhunters based on the Jo Nesbo thriller. (A little bloody but very good.)

Dark or Milk Chocolate
All Dark all day.

Do you have any pets
Okay so as I hinted above I did steal from my real life for my novel: Like the characters, I have two cats. Theo and her one-eared brother, Vincent.

TRC: Thank you Ken for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish you all the best with your writing career.

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