Author Interview: Meet Kay Smith-Blum

Feisty Deeds Anthology Author of "The Calf"

Kay Smith-Blum is a member of the editorial committee for Feisty Deeds: Historical Fictions of Daring Women and helped shape the direction of the anthology. Kay is an Austin, Texas transplant who writes from her bayside perch in Seattle. Named Woman Business Owner (NWWA) of 2013, her wit, humor, and resourcefulness helped her high-end retail fashion business endure multiple economic shifts in a decades-long career. She now writes full-time.

Kay’s short story, ‘The Calf’ delves deep into her Texas roots. When the US Army threatens to take her land, a West Texas woman shows her vulnerability and staying power. This story adds themes of motherhood, survival, and a woman’s strength. It had me close to tears. Kay’s debut novel, Tangles, is historical suspense and will be published November 12, 2024. It will be available for preorder this summer. Check out her website for more information: https://www.kaysmith-blum.com/

Kay’s Interview: “The Calf”

1.    How did this story come to you and how did you get the idea for your Feisty Female Character?

My main character in “The Calf” is an actual relative, Myrtle Mendel, who did in fact lose her first and only born son very shortly after his birth. I’d been wanting to write about her for a while, and also wanted to create a companion story to my debut novel, TANGLES, which is centered on the little know Manhattan Project site, Hanford, in eastern Washington State. “The Calf” highlights how the well-known Los Alamos affected an entire region as well.

2.    What’s your writing process/routine?

I’m an early riser - usually around 5 or 5:30 in the morning - and write on a work in progress almost every day - rain or shine - seven days a week. Sometimes it’s only an hour and I move onto other writing commitments - but I try to keep my head in my current story each day. I love watching the sunrise out my window and the bay before me come to life. It always inspires - my pals joke I could write travelogues if I give up fiction.

3.    What was the hardest part of writing this story?

Going into the mind of a woman who has lost a child - fortunately, I have never - but I’ve had several friends who have and they graciously recounted their experience of processing and healing - all of them cited a day or moment where they knew they would be able to live with the loss - just never forget.

4.    How do you select your character’s names?

Easy - Myrtle Mendel is an actual relative of mine - but everything else in my tale is imagined.

5.    Describe your writing space.

I write in my bedroom - with lots of pillows pushed up behind my back and a portable desk - which also has a spot for my daily latte. The bank of windows in our master bedroom offers up a sweeping and intimate view of Elliott Bay and Seattle’s waterfront, West Seattle and in the distance Bainbridge Island and the Olympic Mountains. I am a very lucky girl to have such a perch.

6.    Do you only write only Historical Fiction or do you write other genres?

I have some success writing contemporary short pieces. My short story, “Ten Days,” won the Black Fox Lit’s contest in 2023.

7.    What question do you wish someone would ask you about yourself and/or your story and no one has?

I’d love it if someone asked about strong women. It’s a term used quite often - even a category on Amazon - but a deeper discussion of strong female characters. Who inspires them and how? That would be an interesting topic to explore.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on Kay’s interview and her story, especially if you’ve read Feisty Deeds: Historical Fictions of Daring Women on NetGalley. Please sign up for our giveaway open June 8-July 8, 2024. It’s available by adding your name to our mailing list at Contact - DW Hogan (She’s collecting the entries.)