To celebrate 13 weeks of winter, Hàlön Chronicles will be conducting one interview a week for 13 weeks. We’ve also partnered with additional artists and authors for a few surprises throughout the winter. Join us on the hashtag #13Winterviews, or check out our blog hop for a sneak peek at who’s on the roster in the coming weeks.
Hosted by: K. J. Harrowick
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
As a stay-at-home mom, I’m living proof that too much child programming leads to a few loose screws. Or maybe they were always loose, I can’t remember anymore! When I’m not a pregnant hermit, I enjoy blues dancing and metal concerts, but life these days consists of some writing, a little reading, raising a vibrant 4 year old, and binging bad superhero spin-offs on Netflix.
2. What types of books do you write, and why?
I write adult fantasy. It’s my happy place, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else, though I’ll always write whatever possesses me. The world can be overwhelming, and fantasy offers me the ability to deal with real issues in a wondrous world where anything is possible, frequently with elements of humor.
3. What were your early influences, and how does this manifest in your work today?
Strangely, as a teen, I only read classic literature and poetry with some trysts into metaphysical studies. I didn’t branch into genre fiction until college, and I still feel like I’m playing catch-up. As a result, my influences are cross-genre. Favorite books include The Alchemist, The poetry of John Donne, The Count of Monte Cristo, Mistborn trilogy, The Secret Garden, and The Lies of Locke Lamora. I also take inspiration from music and movies.
4. Are there aspects of the craft that excite you more than others?
I’m a pantser who drastically underwrites the first draft, so the most exciting part for me is when I finish the bones and start adding meat. The novel taking shape is the biggest thrill for me, and it’s what drives me. I can’t stand having to be derailed for note-taking and research, unless that research involves watching heist flicks with my husband and a hoppy IPA (true story). Other than that, querying is pretty awful, but I think that’s the general consensus.
5. What books or websites are your go-to places while editing?
I go back and forth between Scrivener and Word. I like seeing my text in different formats to allow it to feel fresh.
6. Tell us about your writing space (music/snacks/interruptions/etc.)
I have a desk in the corner of a quiet room, but I rarely use it. Most frequently, I sit at the table or on the couch with my laptop while my kid plays in the yard. Though I’m a music lover, I can’t write with music or I’ll find myself belting out Broadway tunes or head-banging instead of focusing. So, I guess my writing space is my pub-inspired dining room.
7. Tell us about your current WIP or your latest book release.
My current WIP is jokingly entitled Fairy GodMURDER on my desktop. It’s about a fairy godmother going rogue to avenge the death of her first charge at the hands of a serial killer. I’m still in the laying bones stage, so it’s slow-going, but once I get through the first draft, I expect to have the rest knocked out within six months or so.
