In a candid and lively conversation with James from the California Herald, author Kyina Routt opens up about her latest romance novel, titled The First Lady’s Game, a blend of comedy and faith, and the inspirations behind her writing. As she navigates through the interview, Kyina’s passion for storytelling and her commitment to leaving a legacy shine through, offering readers a glimpse into the heart and soul of her creative process.
A Dream Realized
Kyina’s journey into fiction writing was driven by a long-held desire to craft a novel. “I’ve always wanted to write a fiction novel,” she shares, revealing that it was a goal on her bucket list. The genre and subject matter were initially unclear, but inspiration struck during a casual moment with her husband. “We were sitting in bed, watching videos online, and I saw some of the craziest things with the church aunties,” she recalls. This sparked the idea for a story that would blend humor with a meaningful message. Then, all it took was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears that culminated in this exciting, intense, and engaging novel.
The Heart of the Story
Kyina’s novel is not just a romance; it’s a comedic exploration of life within the confines of a country church, influenced by her upbringing as a pastor’s kid. “Being surrounded by church and all the church mothers who always have a plan for your life that’s not your plan, not even God’s plan, but their plan,” she explains. This dynamic inspired her to write a story that challenges the notion of fitting into someone else’s mold. The central theme of her book is about living with purpose—your own purpose, not dictated by others.
Legacy and Representation
A recurring theme in Kyina’s work is legacy, a concept she feels is often overlooked in African American families. “They don’t talk about legacy. They don’t try to build a legacy,” she notes. Through her writing, Kyina aims to embed this idea subtly yet powerfully, encouraging readers to think about what they leave behind for future generations. She is on the way to building a powerful legacy, especially after she gets done with her fifth book. There is so much scope for the kind of novels she is writing, and we can see that scope from the very first novel that she has delightfully talked about in her candid interview.
Challenges, Tragedies, and Triumphs
Writing her first fiction novel came with its own set of challenges. Kyina admits that finding the right audience to engage with her book was a significant hurdle. “I hope I don’t offend any church folks,” she says, highlighting the delicate balance she had to maintain between humor and respect. Another challenge was phrasing certain things in a way that wouldn’t be offensive, given her tendency to be blunt.
The most difficult part of the book for Kyina was writing the intimate scenes. “How far or how deep should I go into this?” she pondered, mindful of her readers’ reactions, especially those of her mother and mother-in-law. This struggle reflects her desire to maintain authenticity while being considerate of her audience’s sensibilities. It is pretty clear that Kyina’s first book has something for everyone and therefore can attract a wide range of readers thanks to its intelligent blend of romance, drama, and suspense. This book is truly hard to put down once you start reading it.
Characters That Come Alive
Kyina’s characters are vibrant and dynamic, each with a life of their own. “I have about six characters, maybe more, that took on a life of their own,” she enthuses. These characters are not just confined to one book; they will journey through all five books in the series, ensuring continuity and depth in her storytelling.
A Personal Touch
Interestingly, Kyina’s mother-in-law believes the book is centered around Kyina and her husband. While Kyina initially dismissed this notion, she later found herself reconsidering. “Maybe it was about us, and I didn’t realize it,” she muses, acknowledging the subconscious influence of her own experiences on her writing. Sometimes, we write fictional books but unknowingly borrow elements from our personal lives, and that is perhaps the case in The First Lady’s Game.
Casting Dreams
If her book were to be adapted into a film or series, Kyina has clear ideas about the cast. Tamar Braxton would be her choice for the lead character, Val. “My husband thinks I act too much like her sometimes,” she laughs, appreciating Tamar’s willingness to stand her ground. For the main male character, Dalton, Kyina envisions Michael Ealy, whose mild-mannered yet assertive demeanor fits the role perfectly. This dream casting may just be a reality once this book creates the kind of traction it needs to get television and movie studios, and even networks jumping for a chance to take it on the big or small screen.
Future Projects
Kyina is not resting on her laurels. With Book Two already completed and work underway on Books Three, Four, and Five, she is also exploring other projects outside the church setting. “I’m like an onion. I have multiple layers,” she says, eager to showcase her versatility as an author. The first book has all the makings of a feature film or television series, and deservedly so; I would personally love to see this book come to life on either the big or small screen.
A Broad and Diverse Reach
Kyina’s book will be available on multiple platforms, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Google Books, ensuring wide accessibility for readers. An audiobook version is also in the works, catering to the growing demand for audio content.
Kyina Trudging on the Road to Success!
Kyina’s interview reveals a passionate author dedicated to her craft and committed to leaving a lasting legacy. Her novel promises to be a delightful blend of humor, romance, and meaningful messages, inviting readers to live with purpose and embrace their true selves. As Kyina continues to write and expand her horizons, her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring authors and readers alike. If her upcoming books in this series are anything as exciting and intense as The First Lady’s Game, then we are all in for a treat.
Having read her book myself, I loved how she went no-holds-barred and kept my attention throughout the entire span of the book.