Wattpad Interviews

@KenzDyer

KenzDyer is a brilliant writer on Wattpad, who has written books such as 'Blood and Honey' which has 286k reads. It was great to interview them, and here is what she had to say!

Why did you start writing on Wattpad?

I started writing on Wattpad when I saw the competition for the 2017 Watty awards. I had heard of Wattpad before then but was never brave enough to actually post on a platform that has instant feedback. That thought alone was nerve-racking, but entering a competition made it seem a little easier. I figured what's the harm in trying and, heck, maybe it will lead to some crossover exposure for my self-published works and boost a following. I've always been the type who fears failure and fears success. Wattpad's community gave me a safe outlet to throw my fears to the wind and say, It's now or never.

What's been your proudest moment on Wattpad?

My proudest moment on Wattpad, this is a toughie. Being selected to be a Featured Story was a very exciting moment. However, I think my proudest moment is a collection of moments. It's when readers reach out to me in the comment section and tell me Blood and Honey has touched them on an emotional level. That they have laughed, hated Tristan than loved him, and cried because I ripped their heart out. It's wonderful to know this world and characters I have created can impact people on an emotional level. If plot and characters are the backbones of a good story, being able to give readers "the feels" is the heartbeat.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I assume my inspiration comes from the world around me, yet there is no way I can pin that down to an actual something that has inspired me. Each book starts as a small clip in my head. A one-scene shot like in a movie. It will linger in my mind until it demands to be written. That's when the magic happens. As I'm typing, voices spring forth in my head and these voices are what guide me and inspire me. Each character claims themselves. They have their own feelings and thought process within me. I am merely a vessel for the story "they" wish to tell. In other words, I have what you call, MFCPD, Multiple Fictional Character Personality Disorder. I've learned to embrace the crazy that lives within me.

Which book has been the most fun to write?

I would say Blood and Honey as it's the first book I have completed here on Wattpad so I've gotten the full Wattpad experience with it. It's also the fastest I have written a book to date. I started it in July and completed it in the beginning of October. That is just crazy. I think what was so fun about this book in addition to how quickly it came together is that I wrote it from the point of view of a male vampire who is, in short, a true monster. Tristan Darkos presents a unique challenge that is sure to make readers feel conflicted. I'm asking readers to get into the mindset of a merciless, bloodsucking killer and then I am asking them to feel for and understand him. He was a fun challenge to write and I look forward to exploring this world of Blood and Honey and the rest of the story the characters in this book have to offer.

What's the hardest part about writing on Wattpad?

Pressing that "Publish" button. Each time I have to press it, I get more nervous. Your work is out there for the readers to read and comment on. As the books on here are my first draft that means they haven't been beta read. I have no clue how people will feel about them. It's scary to publish blindly, yet it is slightly addicting. Without readers' comments and the encouragement I received, I never would have finished Blood and Honey so quickly. So, thank you to all who reached out to me to let me know you loved this dark, bloody world Tristan lives in.

What type of chapters are the most fun to write?

This is a trick question. All characters are fun to write. They are just fun in different ways. Some are fun in that cute, innocent, yet feisty way. Others are fun in the vile murderous way. And then there are some who are fun in the make you drool and swoon kind of way. Fun comes with variety so why limit yourself!

And finally, what advice would you give to a new writer on Wattpad?

As my journey on Wattpad began on July 7, 2017 when I published the first chapter of Blood and Honey, I still consider myself a new writer. I'm still learning how everything works on Wattpad so take my advice with a pinch of salt. Becoming a great writer doesn't happen overnight. It takes years of practice and lots of living through different life experiences. There is no quick way to develop the skill. You just have to keep at it and develop your understanding of all the components that encompass writing and storytelling.

The best advice I can give a new writer who wants to see their work on a coveted spot on the Wattpad's Hot List is you must first establish intention with your story. If you want to achieve a spot on that Hot List then be prepared it may not be the story you are wanting to tell. You may have to start with another or alter your story to fit in with the current demands. That is not to say unique or original stories can't succeed. They can, but they will be harder to entice people to read. For that, I say play around with the book cover and blurb.

First impressions matter. If you aren't seeing any interest in your book, and it's a new book you published, then change up the cover or blurb. Don't sit there and wait for people to find you. They won't. There are too many books on here and you will be buried.

If you have tried multiple different covers and blurbs and still aren't getting the traction you want to see, it's time to take a hard look at your opening chapter. There is no shame in having to re-write a full chapter. First chapters are the hardest to write because they have to do so much. They have to hook the reader in the first few lines, introduce the main characters, make readers feel connected to said characters, and they have to introduce some sort of conflict that will be the theme throughout the story. On top of that, you have style and flow to be concerned about.

No amount of sitting will help you in a day and age where so many books are published, here or elsewhere. Each minute that passes equals more books you will have to compete with. Take advantage early on with the way Wattpad helps new books that are published on its amazing platform. It's the only tool a new writer truly has to help them get discovered.

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That was my lovely interview with KenzDyer !

Comment who you'd like to see interviewed next!