Made It Moment: Kate Thornton
I love it when a Moment-er also happens to be an author whose work I know. I recently reviewed Kate Thornton’s short story “It Doesn’t Take a Genius” on Amazon and can honestly call it an absolute kick. I love a good vigilante story, and Kate nailed this one. Her INHUMAN CONDITION is high on my TBR pile, so if you love short story collections, please check it out. And now–without further ado and all that–let’s hear what Kate has to say about success in this biz.
There have been several moments when I really felt like a writer–Made It Moments that have defined and shaped the direction of my writing.
The first time was way back in the mid-to-late nineteen nineties when I was just starting to write short stories. You see, I knew someone who really could do with killing. This person had done something quite terrible and I knew I wouldn’t really feel quite the same about the world until I had set the balance of things right.
But I had a very good job, which I loved, and a security clearance to go with it. I knew that murdering someone would take away everything for which I had worked so hard.
What to do?
I sat down and wrote out a satisfying scenario in which I let the s.o.b. have it with a variety of weapons. Then I started to take my little scenario a bit more seriously.
Finally, I wrote it up as a vignette, eventually fashioning my first real short story.
It did not feature paperweights or even that awful person – but when I saw it published in David Firks’ legendary Blue Murder Mystery Magazine, I felt like a writer.
I felt like a real writer when I received a check for the story, my first payment for writing anything. Okay, that was a Made It Moment if there ever was one.
The story, Just Like in the Movies, is a favorite in my new collection, and holding a print copy of INHUMAN CONDITION in my hands must be the best Made It Moment yet. But I like to think life holds a lot of wonderful Made It Moments and that we Make It in many ways.
I can’t help but look forward to the next one.
Kate Thornton spent 22 years in the US Army before deciding on a more dangerous career in short stories. With over 100 in print, she continues to write mystery and science fiction and is currently working on a cozy novel featuring dead bodies and a cute doggie.
That’s fantastic. I have to check out your short story! Sounds right up my alley. Congrats on all your success!
Comment by Savvy — May 5, 2011 @ 10:55 am
Kate, I love how your initial need to write to exorcise your feelings turned into a fabulous short story that you were able to publish! It really resonates with me, since I first turned to writing fiction as a child in order to try and make sense of the people around me, and later discovered that my writing had turned into more than that. Plus, I’m pretty terrible at structuring short stories, so I have a real admiration for authors who excel in that format. Congratulations on your increasing number of Made-It Moments, and hopefully there will be even greater ones coming up very soon!
Comment by Becca — May 5, 2011 @ 2:58 pm
That’s great, Kate.
Congrats,
Pam
Comment by Pamela DuMond — May 5, 2011 @ 5:08 pm
Good stuff Kate. Short strories are an art to themselves and it looks like you’ve mastered it. Keep chasing those lofty goals.
I wish you continued success.
Rick
Comment by Rick Murcer — May 5, 2011 @ 5:20 pm
Thank you all so much for your kind comments – and a big thank you to Jenny for her wonderful site!
Kate
Comment by Kate Thornton — May 5, 2011 @ 6:31 pm
Kate, I finally have a copy of INHUMAN CONDITION and look forward to diving into it. You may know how much I love to read (and write) short stories, and I’m a big fan of yours in particular. Best wishes for continued excellence.
Comment by Earl Staggs — May 5, 2011 @ 7:39 pm
Having read and reviewed Kate’s book awhile back, I highly recommend it. It is very good.
Comment by Kevin Tipple — May 5, 2011 @ 9:24 pm
So nice to get to know more about you, Kate. I have known a couple of people who I thought deserved killing, but haven’t written a story about them. I might give it a try. And I will check out your short stories. I happen to like them quite a lot.
Comment by Maryann Miller — May 6, 2011 @ 5:50 pm
Thank you all!
Earl, please let me know how you like it – I’m a big fan of your stories.
And Kevin, your review is a stunner – everyone, check out Kevin’s site for a truly honest review.
Maryann, give the story idea a go – it will help your feelings and you’ll end up with a story into the bargain.
Comment by Kate Thornton — May 8, 2011 @ 1:02 pm