1. Q: What do you, as the writer of your works, like about your book (placed) the most?
A: What do I 'like' about "The Grim"? I enjoy the immersion it brings me out of the real world. Yes, there're a lot of dark/gritty undertones in this book, but it's still different enough that it breaks me away from the dark/gritty realities of here.
2. Q: What inspired you to write your book?
A: I was originally inspired while camping with my family in Oregon about 15 years ago; I was in Jr. High at the time. I started to write a scene to completely immerse myself in the beauty of the mountains and lakes that surrounded me. It took me away from a lot of the trauma I was actively facing at the time. What morphed from a stereotypical "Chosen One YA Fantasy" into now was simply my maturity, as well as the characters that I'd created to develop more of their own minds lol.
3. Q: How many books have you written, including the ones you have not completed?
A: Oh gosh, lots haha. I've started writing at least 10, if not 15.
4. Q: What was the first thing that drove you to start writing?
A: I started writing when I was really little. I think I was 7 or 8 when I wrote my first story. I had a horrible attention-span, so it was only a couple sentences long. I think it was something about unicorns and dragons lol.
5. Q: Do you get writer's block frequently? If so, what do you do to combat it?
A: I get writer's block all the time. I think it's a "write" of passage (ha!) for any author to learn how to combat it in their own, unique way. I suffer from C-PTSD, so my writer's block usually stems from getting triggered by something that reminds me of my traumatic past. What I tend to to with writer's block is either watch something fantastical (my go-to is the Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones), or read (I'm currently reading the Gentleman Bastards' Sequence). Sometimes, I'll break into my characters' voices/accents and "act" out the scene, so I can get a feel for where the conversation goes. A lot of my stories are heavily character and dialogue-driven, so it helps to feel for how they'd react.
6. Q: Does your writing reflect your own thoughts intimately, or are you detached to some extent?
A: It depends on what I'm writing, to be fair. "The Grim" has been very cathartic to write, since my MC is like a Latino Male version of myself. We're both bisexual, we've been through a lot of the same types of trauma (we were both raped/trafficked by our father- figures. His step-dad vs. my bio dad), and we both went into careers that dive into helping people. (Solan: slave scouting; me: ICU nurse). However, some of my other stuff, like my YA paranormal romance, has nothing to do with me lol.
7. Q: What was the name of your first work?
A: I can't remember, to be honest! I think it was called "The Dragon Pirate Rides a Unicorn", or something like that lol. I was only 7 or 8 when I wrote it.
8. Q: At what time are you usually more productive? Why so?
A: I'm much more productive around 1AM-4AM Pacific Standard Time. I live in California, and I work the night shift (7p-7:30a) at two different hospitals, and I always get a massive burst of energy about halfway through my shift until closer to shift- change. I like to maintain my sleep schedule on my days off, so I'm not fighting with as much insomnia/sleep deprivation.
9. Q: What would you like to say to your readers as a token of appreciation for reading your book?
A: I seriously couldn't do this without you. Yes, I know I'm a full time nurse, and I know I'm not getting compensated for my writing, but that stuff is trivial. I just feel incredibly honored to be able to share my story and touch people's lives with my words. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be continually inspired to keep doing what I love doing!
10. Q: What do you like most about writing? Why do you like it?
A: I just love immersing myself into my settings! It's a world that I have spent years developing and creating, to the point that I feel like I can finally brag about it lol. It's been incredibly therapeutic, as well. I have a lot of pent-up emotions from a lifetime of trauma that started when I was really young. Now that I've survived the worst of it, I can finally start focusing on healing, and a big part of that is getting the emotions out on paper without the need to self-medicate with things that could physically harm me.
11. Q: What are your hobbies, besides writing? Why are they so?
A: I love to hike (haven't done much of it lately, but...I digress), trail-ride with my mother- in-law on the horses, draw, paint, and study in Brazilian jiu jitsu. Of course, with the coronavirus pandemic, a lot of my usual hobbies have been placed on the back-burner, but I still enjoy rolling with my husband, and we both love to paint.
12. Q: What, according to you, are the disadvantages of writing?
A: I'm not sure there are any, except writer's block. The thing I love about writing is that you can completely create a brand new world, person, religion, language, etc. without having to tell anyone about it! I wrote a lot of poetry in high school, and I'm just now courageous enough to post it on WP, nearly 11 years later. It's a wonderful outlet to get emotions out without self-destructing.
13. Do you find writing to be something you would pursue as a career, or only as a hobby?
A: I'm currently at my ultimate dream job right now: ICU nurse at a cardiac and trauma center in rural California. However, I would love to pursue writing as more than just a hobby. I eventually want to get published. Even if I become little more than a mid-list author, I would love the opportunity and experience to query, edit, and publish a book. Maybe not "The Mortal Elves" saga, but, perhaps, my dark comedy or paranormal romance.
14. Q: Give us a small description of yourself!
A: Not sure exactly what you're looking for, but I'm a white, cis-gender, bisexual female who is married to an amazing man who's been through thick and thin with me. I had an extremely rough childhood, followed by an even rougher young-adulthood, but I came out on top! I'm the proud mama of two fur babies, and trying for a human one with the hubs, as well! I have a deep relationship with God, and wish to spread His Word across the world, whether it be through my writing, my nursing career, or my future motherhood. I am a firm believer that actions speak louder than words, and I pray to emulate the Love of God through my actions and my writings, rather than through preaching and judging!
15. Q: Do you have any thoughts, any comments you wish to say upon winning in the Ace Awards?
A: Of course! I feel so incredibly honored by being placed second! I haven't entered a writing contest for an actual story, I think, ever! Most of the contests I would enter would be poetry-based. I feel so empowered - and honestly shocked - at placing how I did! (I'm my biggest critic!) To the host: Thank you so much for the opportunity to enter!
Interviewing KaitNelson.
YOU ARE READING
ACE AWARD SUPREME - INTERVIEWS
RandomA record of interviews for the talented winners, interviewed by the sole host of the Ace Awards.
