What is Your Greatest Fear? by Kimberly Killion
- Author: admin
- Published: Jul 22nd, 2008
It’s Kimberly Killion day on Romance Novel TV. First, take a look at Buffie Johnson’s Review of Her One Desire (just below). Secondly, check out the book trailer for Her One Desire on our video page. If that’s not enough, you can read an excerpt of the book. Lastly, help me welcome debut author Kimberly Killion who writes Sexy Medieval Romances for Kensington Publishing/Zebra. She found her love for all things tragic, passionate, and historic after taking a mythology course in college. The book wasn’t Romeo and Juliet, as you might suspect, but Dante’s Inferno, Oedipus, The Iliad, and a few other Greek tragedies. An artist by profession, Kimberly traded her paintbrush for a pen and began to explore the realm of romance. Sharing her passion for words by teaching college, Kimberly lives in Illinois with her husband, two children, a dog, three cats, and two dozen chickens. You can visit Kimberly’s website to find out more, but for now – let’s join Kimberly as she talks about FEARS.
What is your greatest fear?
As a new author, one of my greatest fears right now is failure. That hasn’t always been the single most terrifying thing in my life. First and foremost, I fear spiders. Ever since I pulled a wolf spider (the size of my hand, I swear) out of my tennis shoe when I was ten, I have been terrified of spiders. The fact my older sister used to chase me with daddy-longlegs when we were growing up didn’t help with this life-long phobia.
I’m not a fan of the dark, or scary movies, or balloons. That’s right – balloons. I don’t like the fact that air is trapped inside a thin plastic element guaranteed to explode at any moment with a heart-stopping-pulse-pounding-loud (((BANG))). Breathe, breathe…give me a moment while I regroup. 
Creating fears in a character can build on the three-dimensionality of a hero or heroine. As an author, it is my job to build strong characters, but without weaknesses, a character has nothing to overcome. It is easy to create a character and say, ‘poof’ you are afraid of the dark, or ‘poof’ you are afraid of heights, but to give that character a sense of reality, an author has to give that character reasons for those fears.
In my debut book, Her One Desire, my heroine has a slew of fears. She fears the dark, water, small areas, actually, she is pretty much terrified of her own shadow. But she has reasons for those fears. She is the executioner’s daughter and wasn’t exactly raised in an environment becoming a princess. What I think is the magical part about writing is helping those characters overcome their fears, and who better to fulfill that job than the hero. Bring a man into the scene who wants to help this woman overcome her fears, give him a set of abs to die for, dress him a kilt, and you have yourself a romance. Am I right?
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cyclops8
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 12:41 am:
Welcom Kimberly,
I’m afraid of dogs and heights. If I were Lizzy, I would be afraid of many things, too. I can’t imagine the hardships of being the executioner’s daughter. Were the executioner and their family considered outcasts? I look forward to reading “Her One Desire.”
Marisa
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 4:18 am:
Welcome Kimberly and congrats on Her One Desire – terrific book!
I’m with cyclops8 – I’m afraid of heights – so much so that I have to prepare myself to cross bridges. And if I’m crossing a bridge and there is traffic and I have to stop on the bridge for any length of time, I start to break out in a sweat. Oh yes. Heights can do me in. However if there isn’t a strong man with 6 pack abs around, I usually hold on tight to the nearest body and sing to myself. I find it helps.
Of course, if there were a man such as Broderick standing by I wouldn’t say no to him if he tried to get my mind off my fears.
Maria Lokken
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 4:27 am:
Welcome Kimberly – Congrats on your new release.
I’m talking out of school here – but I want to vouch for Marisa’s fear of heights. Once while on a vacation in Arizona – we arrived at the top of the Grand Canyon and my dear sister wouldn’t get out of the car! Oh yeah, heights is definitely not her thing. Me, I could totally live without ever being in the wilds… big animals…not my favorite.
Kimberly Killion
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 4:51 am:
Cyclops8: Thanks for stopping by. I would definitely say those related to executioners throughout history suffered many hardships. They were shunned and stuck mainly to the company of their own families. While researching Her One Desire, what I found interesting was the ‘mercy money’. It was coin given to the executioner (think of it as a tip) so her might perform his duties swiftly and with skill. If an excutioner’s axe was not sharp, it might take more than one blow to complete his mission. So it was to the benefit of the accused that this man had ’skills’. Terrifying isn’t it?
Kimberly Killion
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 4:54 am:
Marisa: I’m afraid of hieghts as well and I share your fear of bridges. In fact, when I drive over one, I sometimes take off my seat belt and put the windows down. You know, just in case I drive off and have to escape my vehicle. LOL And there usually isn’t a HOT guy in a kilt there to console me. DAMN! :c)
Marisa
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 4:56 am:
Marisa: I’m afraid of hieghts as well and I share your fear of bridges. In fact, when I drive over one, I sometimes take off my seat belt and put the windows down. You know, just in case I drive off and have to escape my vehicle. LOL And there usually isn’t a HOT guy in a kilt there to console me. DAMN! :c) Kimberly, I’m going to have to use that technique – I’m all about a quick exit.
Kimberly Killion
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 4:58 am:
Maria: I can sympathize with the Grand Canyon thing. I (bravely or foolishly) went up in the arch in St. Louis once. I got off the little ‘egg’ elevator and ran across the top of the arch and got back inside the little ‘egg’ elevator and held tight until we were back down. As for big animals…never had an issue, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be leery.
Buffie
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 5:39 am:
Hey Kimberly!!!! You already know how excited I am about you being here today
First and foremost, for all you readers who haven’t read HER ONE DESIRE, please check out my review (totally, totally loved the book) and then GET THEE TO THE BOOKSTORE!!!! This book brings together all the wonderful reasons why I love medievals. The intrigue, the suspense, the fears of a woman, and the strong arms of a Scottish man (oh yeah, I couldn’t leave that part out!).
Now on to fears. Yes, I too am afraid of spiders and bugs and all those things that go bump in the night. I can’t watch trailers for scary movies. Heck, I usually can’t see a tv commercial for Law and Order or CSI without getting the hebbie gebbies (I have absolutely no idea how to spell that). But if I dig way down deep into my psychi I think my biggest fear would be failing my children. Yep, that is what all we mother’s fear.
Buffie
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 5:39 am:
Oh Kimberly — I forgot to say that I really like the book trailer. Definitely fits the book perfectly!
Gannon
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 5:59 am:
Welcome, Kimberly! I think all fears would disappear in the arms of a hunky Scot who is dressed in a kilt and has abs of steel. *sigh* I feel better already.
I’m not terribly afraid of a lot. Extremely large spiders and roaches (palmetto bugs if you’ve ever lived in Florida–yuck!) gross me out, and I prefer someone else (my husband) to dispose of them. My worst fear is something happening to my children. I’m sure that is the universal fear of all mothers.
After reading Buffie’s review, I’ll be getting your book…pronto!
Buffie
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 6:04 am:
Gannon, you should get it pronto!!! I can’t say enough great things about it. I devoured it quickly!
Rachel
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 6:32 am:
Hi Kimberly, I have your book on my TBR pile, and after reading Buffie’s review, it just got bumped up! I haven’t read a good medieval in a really long time, so I’m really looking forward to this one.
Fears… well I have terrible claustrophobia. Tight spaces make me tremble. I could be 20,000 feet up in the air without a net and it wouldn’t bother me. Bugs, balloons, spiders, I say bring them on, but don’t make me get into a small space. That would definitely call for a Scottish hero in a kilt doing some fast talking.
Buffie
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 6:39 am:
Hey Rachel, I bet if that Scottish hero did something other than talking you really wouldn’t mind the tight spaces
CrystalGB
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 6:51 am:
Hi Kimberly. I am afraid of deep water, snakes, bees and heights. Her One Desire sounds great.
Eliza Knight
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 6:59 am:
Kimberly, you are so right!!!! Love the abs, kilt and a guy who can help her overcome her fears!!!
I am afraid of ghosts, attics and wild animals.
cheryl c.
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 7:14 am:
This book sounds so good! I have read several awesome reviews, and the trailer is great. I simply must get this book! I enjoy reading a story where someone is forced to overcome a fear when a loved one must be saved/helped.
Buffie
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 7:15 am:
Oh, CrystalGB, I totally forgot about snakes. Yep, don’t want to see or hear or even think about those things!!
Kimberly Killion
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 7:21 am:
Buffie!!!
Hi, hi, hi…thanks so much for your excitement!!! After reading your post, I think we might be connected some how:
You said: Yes, I too am afraid of spiders and bugs and all those things that go bump in the night. I can’t watch trailers for scary movies. ]
I totally cannot watch scary movies. When my daughter was about 10 or so, we went to pick out a chick-flick to watch since the men were gone. I picked up ‘THE RING’. Holy crappers!!! We are watching it and this ‘thing’ comes crawling out of the tv (in the movie) My daughter looks at me and says, “I don’t think this is a chick-flick, mom. Ack!!!!
Buffie
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 7:25 am:
OMG, Kimberly! That would totally freak me out!!!! Nope, can’t do those at all.
Kimberly Killion
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 7:28 am:
Gannon: Thanks for sharing and also for picking up the book.
Rachel: Yeah!!! Always happy to move to the top. If your TBR pile is anything like mine, well, let’s just say I appreciate the move!
Eliza: Ghosts and attics???? Well, that’s understandable. I wonder if there is an interesting story there??? hmmm…
Hi Cheryl! YOu are going to win this book yet, aren’t you.
I’m all over the promo and giving away books like crazy, so keep tracking me down.
Hey, we are giving away a book here aren’t we???
I just looked at my post and it doesn’t say anything, sooo…if it’s all right with you all, I’ll pick a couple commenters to win an autographed copy of Her One Desire.
Good Luck!!!
Maria Lokken
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 8:00 am:
Oh yeah Kimberly – totally great – your book as a prize for posting!!! Yes!!!
MaryKate
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 8:05 am:
Hi Kimberly – Congratulations on the release of HER ONE DESIRE, sounds like Buffie enjoyed every moment of the book, which is wonderful!
I have two very strange fears: I’ve never in my life seen an alligator in the wild, and yet, in almost every nightmare I’ve ever had, an alligator shows up. I’m also terrified of tornadoes. Again, never actually been in a tornado, and yet, I’m completely petrified of them.
I joke with my sister that in past lives I must have been eaten by a gator and killed in a tornado. I have no idea why I’m afraid of them.
I know alot of people who are terrified of bugs or mice or snakes. I don’t really have that, but I think at least part of the reason for that is I’m a single girl, if I find a mouse in my house, I’ve got to take care of it. If there’s a bug, I’ve got to kill it. It’s on me. So I’ve just kind of gotten over the whole terror of them thing. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love a man with great abs (or really, any abs) to come along and take care of these things for me. But so far, it’s on me to do it. And I don’t do a bad job, if I do say so myself.
keoweegirl
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 8:26 am:
Welcome Kimberly and congrats on your debut release! I love medievals and, after reading Buffie’s terrific review, I’ll definitely be buying this one. It sounds wonderful!
Add me to the growing list of those afraid of open heights. I love flying but break out in a sweat if I have to stand on a balcony or walk along an open corridor, like in hotels that have center atriums. You’ll find me hugging the outside wall the entire way. I used to be afraid of bridges but I’m much better about that. Living in a city of bridges for 10 years and having no choice but to cross them every day helped but I still do the door unlocking/window opening trick. Did you know there’s a little tool you can buy that will break your window if you go into the water?
~PJ
AndreaW
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 8:37 am:
Welcome to RNTV, Kimberly! We’re so happy you could blog with us today! Huge congrats on your debut! Buffie and I have very similar tastes, so if she loves it, chance are I will, too.
As for fears, I used to be very afraid of spiders. Now, I’m just afraid of BIG spiders. I see enough of little ones that I’m okay with taking them out myself. LOL I also am afraid of really deep water, like in the ocean. I’ve never been out too far, but something about sharks just scares the crap out of me. I can do scary movies, but prefer to watch them in the daylight.
Question: Did you do anything special to mark/celebrate/remember your debut release?
Buffie
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 8:56 am:
Andrea, you will definitely like this book! It’s fabulous
Holly
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 9:15 am:
Hi Kimberly, I love the book trailer, it’s terrific! After reading Buffie’s review this one sounds right up my alley.
Funny about the St. Louis arch, I too have gone up in those tiny little elevators and it scared the bejeesus out of me. I didn’t even look when I got to the top, just kept praying I’d make it back down again in one piece.
cheryl c.
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 11:51 am:
LOL
So you noticed that I am stalking you from blog to blog? Don’t you want to reward my persistence? 
Kimberly Killion
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 2:12 pm:
Sorry to have abandoned ya’ll. I was able to reply once from my cell phone, but after that I needed login info. Never fear…I found internet.
MaryKate: Alligators and tornadoes??? OK. We all have strange little fears. See it isn’t bizarre that our characters have odd fears, but we do have to explain why. Maybe you should see a shrink. It would be interesting to see what he had to say about your fears.
Andrea asked: [Did you do anything special to mark/celebrate/remember your debut release?] I wish I could say I took a trip to Scotland or something really cool, but the truth is, I stayed home because I scheduled so many blogs and book signings, I had to prepare. (6 signings and 11 blogs this past 3 weeks) Not to mention I’m trying to finish my current WIP that has run about 7,000 words over (sheesh) before I go to San Fran for the RWA conference.
I am, however, taking off the months of September and October to start a new book.
Kimberly Killion
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 2:14 pm:
Thanks for the kudos on the trailer, Holly. I did it myself.
and, yes, Cheryl, I bet you are getting close to being a winner…
I really appreciate the support, so stalk away, and send your stalker friends over, too. I’m too new to the publishing world to not want the attention.
Thanks!!!
Buffie
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 2:48 pm:
Kimberly, you absolutely MUST tell us a few things about your current WIP and the book you are planning to start in October. Note to Marisa and Maria, I want dibs on reviewing Kimberly’s next book
Buffie
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 2:49 pm:
Cheryl, I have been known to stalk a few authors. Yep, sure have. And let me tell you, persistence does pay off
Good luck on getting an authographed copy.
Megan Kelly
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 3:05 pm:
Kimberly, Your book is wonderful. I couldn’t put it down. I’m a regular chicken about most things, but the biggie for me is water over three feet deep (or any water with critters, no matter the depth). I suffered along with Lizzy during parts of the book.
Angie Fox
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 3:16 pm:
Congratulations on the new release!
As for fears, I can’t do dark staircases at night. Can’t walk them – I have to run them, convinced something is behind me the entire time. Maybe I read too many paranormals.
Dina
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 4:37 pm:
Hi Kimberly,
Heights would be the one that scares me and maybe to be in a very small area and your air would be very limited.
Don’t enter me for your book, as I am waiting for my copy from you.
(thank you again)
Diana Cosby
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 6:10 pm:
Kimberly,
Congratulations on it being “Your” day on RNTV!!! ^5 Her One Desire sounds fabulous, and I wish you the sincere best!
Diana Cosby
http://www.dianacosby.com
Buffie
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 6:29 pm:
Kimberly, thanks so much for being here today. You know how thrilled I was
I wish you much success with this book, so that there will be quite a few more from you.
AndreaW
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 8:18 pm:
Kimberly Killion said: I am, however, taking off the months of September and October to start a new book.
Good for you!! After all those signings and blogs, you deserve it!
Thanks so much for visiting with us today. I wish you much success with Her One Desire!
Nancy Haddock
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 10:20 pm:
Kimberly, I’m sorry to be so late to the party, but BIG congratulations on your debut book! HER ONE DESIRE sounds fantastic, and I wish you sales thru the roof!
I have a strong fear of spiders, too. Wolf spiders? Major nasty! It so happens that I’m allergic to spider bites, so the fear is somewhat rationale, but I still get cold sweats when I see a spider bigger than a pencil point.
Hope you had a wonderful time celebrating YOUR day on RNTV, and all the best in your career!
Light,
Nancy Haddock
Barbara Scott
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 10:32 pm:
I’m with you on the spiders, Kim. I was bitten by a brown recluse spider on my shin when I was a kid. No one knew the cause of the large ulceration there, it spread from my ankle to my knee until a nurse recognized it as spider bite poisoning.
But don’t fear failure, Kim. It’s not in that creative DNA of yours.
Kimberly Killion
on Jul 23rd, 2008
@ 11:04 pm:
I just wanted to thank Buffie for being a great host and also, thank you, Maria and Marisa for having my on RNTV today. I wish I could have been on this evening to ‘play’ more, but I was polishing my proposal at a pitch/proposal session my local RWA chapter set up.
Ya’ll have been great today. (((Big Hugs!!!)))
(I’ll check with Maria to see how we will go about picking winners. Check back tomorrow…)