Writing is therapy for the soul
~ K.N. Lee
In October, I am writing about all things autumnal: from art
to spooky books, author interviews, recipes, and autumn-inspired writing
prompts AND participating in the Two Pages-a-Day writing challenge.
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his week, we get to
know Chronicles of Koa author K.N. Lee
and her wonderfully imaginative brain!
Nycole and I were
introduced to each via a mutual friend on the Book of Face and she is an
encouraging and uplifting gal with a lot of sass!
She always has something inspiring to say about writing or a fantastical
writing prompt on her blog.
Why do you write?
I write because nothing brings me more
joy than the power to create my own world, one in which I can retreat to.
Writing is therapy for the soul. It has been my passion since I was a child,
and it is the one thing that I can always count on.
Name two mentors who
influenced your writing.
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Image Credit: K.N. Lee
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My
grandmother, Brenda Lee! She introduced me to Star Trek and Star Wars, and
encouraged me to read and seek out knowledge wherever we went. We could take a
walk and she would teach me about the different trees and plants, something
that taught me to look deeper at our world.
Another
mentor would be my creative writing teacher, Ginger Fox. She was the person
that broke me out of my painful shell. For years I wrote novels and stories and
I was too afraid to share them with anyone outside of my immediate family. Her
encouraging and positive feedback helped me get over my fear and share a few
stories with the class. The positive reception from my teacher and classmates
lit a fire within me, making me determined to get published.
That
was a major turning point in my life.
Name 5 writers you
recommend.
Stephen
King
Anne
Rice
Terry
Goodkind
Brandon
Sanderson
Alexandre
Dumas
What do you like to do when
you’re not writing?
When
I am not writing, I am always reading! I also love to travel. My trip to South
Korea influenced the main character of my novel, The Chronicles of Koa. I love
drawing inspiration from new places, cultures, and people. I also enjoy
learning different languages!
Describe your writing
process.
My stories almost always come from
dreams. I write my dreams down every night in a journal, and many of them are
my main pool of inspiration. My stories are character driven, so I start from
the first line and while I may have an idea of where the story is going, my
characters usually take charge and lead me.
Whenever I feel as though the story is
losing its focus, I will then create an outline, character list, scene list,
etc. One thing that seems to work for me when I am writing is to turn on
Pandora and listen to either Celtic music, or movie soundtracks.
It may be distracting for others, but
music and the scent of incense or candles transports me to another place…a
creative place.
Which character is most
like you?
This is easy, although sadly my fans may
not know of her yet. Lilae, the main character of my fantasy trilogy, Rise of the Flame is most like me. Many
of her childhood experiences, fears, doubts, and thoughts come from moments in
my life.
Second to Lilae, I would say Halston, one
of the main characters in The Chronicles
of Koa. He struggles with morals and what he knows is right versus what his
heart tells him. I understand Halston and that is why it was so easy to write
his chapters and figure out his role in the story as Koa’s best friend and
boss.
Your book, The Chronicles
of Koa, is a paranormal fantasy. Why were you drawn to this genre?
I’ve
been reading fantasy since I was a very small child. Now that I think about it,
I probably shouldn’t have been reading Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles in the fifth grade, but alas, I was drawn to it,
and I’ve never been able to shake myself from the wonders of the fantasy genre.
It is one that I am comfortable with.
Nonetheless,
The Chronicles of Koa is more of an
urban/paranormal fantasy, when I usually write high fantasy (swords and
sorcery) stories. It was a challenge. You’d think writing in modern times and
in a modern setting would be easy, but it was an experiment, and sometimes a
struggle for me. I suppose I’d rather create my own world versus following the
constraints of the ‘real world.’
Are you working on a new
book? What is it?
Right
now I am working on “Lyrinian Blade” (The
Chronicles of Koa #2) which is set to release this December! Other than
that, I have started a sci-fi/steampunk novel that has me enthralled at the
moment.
One
thing I’ve realized is that I have a plethora of ideas that I feel that I must
crank out at full speed, but I am learning to take my time and devote the
necessary attention to one story at a time. It is a hard lesson, but I can see
its importance.
What does your writing
space look like?
I
write wherever I am. I carry a notebook and pen with me always. I do have a
desk in front of a large window at home. I turn on the music, light a candle
and get to work. It’s a little cluttered right now, with notes and drawings,
but it works for me.
Give 2-3 pieces of advice
for writers.
·
Never stop writing or give up on your dreams.
·
Write every day. Even if you don’t feel like it, you must
set either a word count goal or a time limit and sit down and get to work!
·
Read! Writers must write…and read. How else will you know
what works and what doesn’t? Reading can fuel your inspiration; don’t let such
an excellent tool go to waste.
Favorite Doctor?
Easy!
David Tennant! He is the best!
Jeremy Brett or Benedict
Cumberbatch?
Oh
my. Oh my. Benedict Cumberbatch. No one can compete with his quiet, calculated,
charisma and intelligence. He is my favorite.
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Image Credit: K.N. Lee
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Nycole didn’t mention specific
Celtic music she listens to while writing, but I know for a fact that Loreena
McKennitt is one of her favorites. Sound familiar, dear readers?
Thanks for stopping by
La Belle, Nycole! And best of luck with
Lyrian Blade ~ we can’t wait to see how things turn out!
Stay tuned tomorrow
for my review of the Chronicles of Koa!
Oremus pro invicem,
~ Mikaela
Have you
read the Chronicles? Weigh in!
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