BOOK—Author Kathy Cross (right) reads an inscription in the front of her book for Debbie Brewer with Alleghany County Library. Cross donated a signed copy to the library.

Local author publishes first book

Originally from Mooresville, current Alleghany resident Kathy Cross recently published "Everyday Secrets Lead to Chaos," the first of a two-part series.

The part-time student worked on the book on a sporadic basis

"It's something that came to me naturally," Cross said of writing. It took about 11 months to piece the book together, she noted. "It was a mixture of going to class and trying to concentrate on studies and then working on the book at the same time which was a juggle for me. It wasn't very easy, but it was an experience I think every new writer could learn from. It kind of put me on the edge because it was a distraction from education…I wanted to get a story out without going over my limits."

Speaking of the book, Cross remarked the idea for it "had something to do with the recent presidential election, how our economy was going up and down, the stock market and how important going back to school was for a lot of people who needed it and it was basically a story that came to me in a natural way that I guess no one else can claim. It was kind of difficult because it would kind of come in bits and pieces at a time. I had two or three-hour increments and I would sit there and write. I'd use pen and paper for part of the time and I also used word processor on the laptop and saved my work. Eventually I had to piece it together from beginning to end…"

After the second book is published, it is unsure as to whether or not Cross will write additional books. "I'm going to wait and see how everyone out there responds and if anyone out there at least 18 and older are interested in reading it books like this, suspense and politics, I would encourage them to give it a chance…"

Of publishing, Cross referred to it as "aggravating" and "disappointing" because she was turned down by publishers. However, despite the experience, "I think along the way I was able to learn on what agents do and don't want in a writer." Mentioning the lead character in "…Chaos," Cross said, "I see myself slowly getting into that character…(but) I'm more of a quiet, shy type person."

When asked what she hopes to accomplish through her book, Cross stated, "I hope to find an audience who enjoys reading those kinds of suspense stories, who would like to see more of those on the shelves."