Kirsten Pursell
Author Interview - Kirsten Pursell
Author of Long Enough to Love You
Jenn Powers is about to embark on the journey of a lifetime as she tackles an empty nest that has her wondering where her place is anymore. One choice is to stay in her marriage because it is safe and easy but devoid of love and joy. The other is to take a leap of faith and travel that unknown road of self-discovery that could open doors but just as quickly leave her wishing for what she had. Jenn first learned of love at seventeen. Love with Tripp was unfiltered, raw, deep, extraordinary…but constricted by the bounds of time. They would go their separate ways, leading lives independent and unknowing of the other. With lifetimes in between, they never expected their paths to intersect decades later, begging the question: Do you ever really let go of that first love? And, if given that second chance, do you risk everything to take it? LONG ENOUGH TO LOVE YOU is about being willing to be true to yourself in difficult moments while also embracing that it's never too late for second chances in life and love.
Author Interview - Kirsten Pursell
Author I draw inspiration from: I think it's hard not to be inspired by Colleen Hoover's story especially as a self-published author. She's true to her stories, has made reading cool, and she has a great ability to not take herself to seriously.
Author Interview - Kirsten Pursell | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book: While I love to read in bed, I usually fall asleep so it's not the most productive reading. But if I can find the time and quiet, I love finding a corner on the couch with a warm blanket, cup of coffee, and a book to read.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with: I would love to be stuck in an elevator with Holden Caulfield from Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger. There was no other character I ever imagined as my alter ego in my teenage years. That book and that character were such a part of me. I related to him and having those few minutes in an elevator would be mind boggling.
Author Interview - Kirsten Pursell | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author: I have always loved writing. I have handwritten pages of my first attempt to start writing a novel going back to my teenage years. I have always loved telling stories so I'm guessing I never outright told myself I'm going to be an author, but always had this deep repressed inkling that I would be one. I really wanted to be a screenwriter. I wrote one and realized I couldn't self-make movies but, with writing, I could self-publish. At least then I wasn't keeping my stories to myself!
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook: Paperback, hands down! I love the feel of a book in my hand and the flexibility (literally) of a paperback book can't be beat.
The last book I read: I just finished Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I was reading and watching the series simultaneously. I loved discovering all the ways the book and TV show deviated from each other.
Author Interview - Kirsten Pursell | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer: Computer! The ideas translate to paper so much faster than handwriting it, which ultimately has to be typed out anyways. I also love how you can jump all over on a computer, simply hit the return key to insert new ideas, scroll up and down, delete. It's so easy.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with: I don't think I could ever just pick one. I like women that are strong with an edge of vulnerability (think Francesca from The Bridges of Madison County or Kya from Where the Crawdads Sing).
Author Interview - Kirsten Pursell | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a: Being an author is new to me! I worked in the corporate world doing marketing at the start of my career. And then I focused on being a mom to three overachieving children. I dabbled in writing during those years. I still have a tiny sliver of hope to be a screenwriter or at least write a couple more screenplays or TV shows. Or I'd be a motivational speaker. I love getting up in front of people and talking about just about anything. I'm always a work in progress!
Favorite decade in fashion history: The late 60s and 70s. I loved the bold colors and figure flattering styles.
Place I’d most like to travel: Europe is my go-to travel destination. I love the cultures and how much they can vary within such close proximity. The former Eastern European countries are high on my list of travel with Prague and Dbrovnik topping the list. I'd also like to see Machu Pichu.
My signature drink: I always enjoy a glass of pinot noir. It shouldn't be a surprise that the main character in Long Enough to Love You does too! Moscow Mules are also so simple but so satisfying.
Favorite artist: That's a loaded question! Music artist is Post Malone. I really think he's a genius. I saw him in concert (yes, I was the oldest person there!). He genuinely seemed to love what he does and was so appreciative of being there. As far as art goes, I love impressionism art and Claude Monet would be high on that list.
Number one on my bucket list: I recently took two of those off my list: drive across country and shoot a gun. I like physical challenges and have started competing in long distance open water swims. I'd like to do the 10K swim in Bermuda. I'd also love to climb Kilamanjaro.
Anything else you'd like to add: As an indie author, I appreciate opportunities like this to have a platform to share my writing. I believe strongly in Jenn's story in Long Enough to Love You. I also know that not every story we write resonates with every reader. I think that is the beauty of literature. There are so many genres and subgenres and approaches to writing. Having this opportunity to share about myself and potentially expose readers to my writing is a gift. Thank you, Ashley!
Find more from the author:
https://www.instagram.com/kirstenpursell/
https://www.facebook.com/KirstenPursellAuthor/
www.kirstenpursell.com
Twitter: @kirsten_pursell
Author Bio: Kirsten Pursell is an American author and sometimes blogger. Released on January 1, 2023, Long Enough to Love You is her fourth book. Previous works include her memoir, On Becoming Me: Memoir of an 80's Teenager, released in 2021, and two other novels: Harvard and Company Clown. Her memoir has been #1 on Amazon's women's biographies and memoirs and Company Clown has been #1 in Satire Fiction and Two-Hour Literature & Fiction Short Reads. Her books were downloaded over 10,000 times in 2022.
She considers raising her three now adult children her greatest accomplishment. She is a Master's swimmer competing at the national and international levels. In addition, she occasionally finds herself being a voice for women in their fifties with the message that you are never too old to reinvent yourself. She lives in Oceanside, California.
