Kathleen Fuller: It’s Always Fun When the Story “Tells Itself”

With over two million books sold, Kathleen is a USA Today bestselling author of over 70 novels and novellas. Her novel, Written in Love, won the 2018 Romantic Times Inspirational Romance of the Year. Many of her books have also hit the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists.

A retired special education teacher, Kathleen and her husband, James, are the parents of four adult children and live in central Arkansas. When she’s not writing you can find her reading, crocheting, and watching classic movies—usually at the same time. She also enjoys traveling, football, and collecting recipes, even though she hates to cook. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

In this interview, Kathleen discusses the differences in writing a series and a standalone novel with her new romance, So Into You, her advice for other writers, and more.

Name: Kathleen Fuller
Literary agent: Nalini Alekolar, Spencer Hill Associates
Book title: So Into You
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release date: December 3, 2024
Genre/category: Contemporary Romance
Previous titles (if any) by the author: Mistletoe Season; Two to Tango; Sold on Love; Much Ado About a Latte; Hooked on You
Elevator pitch: Opposites attract when an introverted vlogger and a reformed party boy exchange lessons on art, confidence, and yacht rock.

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What prompted you to write this book?

I wanted to explore a character who was successful on camera (vlogger) but had social anxiety in her personal life, and how she challenged herself to move out of her comfort zone with the help of a reformed bad boy who’s also finding his way.

How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?

Probably about five or six months, that’s usually how long it takes me to write a full-length novel. This was a rare book for me—it came to me almost fully formed, and the idea stayed the same throughout the writing process. I’m a pantser with a dash of plotter, so typically my stories go through several changes before I land on the final form for the first draft. It’s always fun when the story “tells itself”.

Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?

Almost all my novels have been three book series, so this was the first time in more than seven years that I wrote a standalone novel. I did feel some freedom writing a self-contained story without having to think about the book that came before it or after it. It also helped me to write a more expansive story, since this was my one and only journey with Britt and Hunter.

Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?

I mentioned it above—the story easily flowed, something that almost never happens when I write. I’m more of a rewriter than a writer, so the first draft is like climbing out of quicksand to finish. But once it’s done, the fun begins. With So Into You, the writing was fun from the first sentence.

What do you hope readers will get out of your book?

I always say this, because it’s always true—I want readers to be entertained and to feel that by the end of the story, their time was well spent. If they can find some inspiration from Britt and Hunter’s journeys, that’s a bonus!

If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?

Persevere. It’s trite, but true. As long as you have words on a page, you have something to work with. I heard that from Nora Roberts years ago, and it’s stuck with me ever since. Keep writing!