Here on the YA profile, we want to celebrate all the awesome writers out there who have made it their sole mission to come up with amazing YA stories. In Chit Chat, the YA team will be interviewing and showcasing some amazing writers and their accom...
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In this interview, we caught up with SilviaKrpatova and got some insight into what makes a young adult writer tick. Check out SilviaKrpatova's answers below from our first-ever interview.
1. In 3 - 5 lines, please describe yourself briefly.
I'm a dreamer, and an incurable romantic. I think it reflects in my stories--they are all about love. Love, friendship, second chances and new beginnings, things that the real life offers us very little of. I'm an insatiable reader too, getting lost in books is my favourite pastime, just like writing.
2. How did you discover Wattpad?
I discovered Wattpad some four years ago, as a reader-- I was looking for a book and found it here. I did not start writing until a year later though, when I realised that it was a site for aspiring writers as well as readers.
3. Tell us what inspired you to start writing?
I think I can say that it was Wattpad, actually. I didn't know writing sites like this existed, before I found this one. Coupled with my love of books, and seeing how many people write as a hobby, the temptation to try it myself was irresistible.
4. Can you tell us more about your main YA story?
Let me tell you about What Lies Beneath the Fog. It is a young adult fantasy complete with a ghost. Liam, who moves to a small island with his parents, following their dreams, finds his own dreams to pursue there, in form of an old mystery to solve, and a nice local girl, Emma, who becomes his companion in the adventure.
5. Who is your favourite character in your story and why?
Both Liam and Emma are my favourite characters. I like Liam because he loves and respects his parents just as they love and respect him. Also, I like his love of watercolour painting-- I used to paint too, at his age. Emma is a free, fearless spirit and adventure runs through her veins. In a way, she is the opposite of Liam and I like how they complement each other.
6. If you had to pick your favourite trope, what would it be?
Friends to lovers.
7. Would you rather read about YA for the rest of your life or write YA for the rest of your life?
Read about YA.
8. Would you rather live out the stories you write or be writer of your own life?
Be the writer of my own life.
9. Would you rather write YA or NA (new adult)?
NA sounds good.
10. Besides YA, do you have any other favourite genres?
I really like to experiment with genres-- romance, historical fiction, fantasy, retellings... Generally I use young characters as protagonists, because, well, being a young adult is the beautiful moment of our lives when we still believe in magic, and think that nothing is impossible if we really try hard enough. My newest story, Let it Snow!, a Christmas novel, is set around an older protagonist though.
11. Have you based any of your characters on real life people?
Not exactly. But each of my protagonists has a piece of myself.
12. What's your favourite part about writing YA stories?
I feel that young adult gives me the liberty to include elements of fantasy-romance which an adult audience might not appreciate. Like magic. Ghosts. Angels. Vampires. Wizards. Those creatures that only (probably) populate fictional worlds.
13. Who are your favourite YA authors and books?
I like Hunger Games, Hush Hush series, Miss Pererine's Home for Peculiar Children. I love Harry Potter, and many, many others.
14. What are some of the challenges you've faced when writing and how do you overcome it?
My greatest struggle has always been the battle against my real life, to find some quality, alone time to write. Writing is only a hobby, so, unfortunately, it must come as the last thing.
15. Is there any advice that you have for fellow writers who might want to start writing YA?
Remember how you were as a young adult, and breathe a little of that person into your characters. It will make them relatable for the readers.
Want to join in the conversation? Add a comment below with your answers to some of the questions. We'd love to know what you think!
