My first post this year continues my current fantasy theme with a new feature on my blog, an Author Spotlight, where I hope to interview authors from the genres I write in, as well as those from other genres. (And, yes, I'll be calling in those favors soon!)
My first interview of 2016 is with the bright upcoming author, Kellie Steele, who published her debut novel, White Ghost and the Poison Arrow, last September.
I live in Harrogate in England, and I grew up here too. It’s a quiet town normally, close to the country side. I work as an administrator at a charity for blind and disabled young adults. I’ve been an administrator since I was 17, so that’s nearly 5 years and I really enjoy it. My hobbies funnily enough are reading and writing, but I also like watching fantasy TV shows and watching youtubers play games. This is sad I know, but I love it.
Where did your love of reading come from?
I’ve been reading properly since I was 11. The first book I remember reading all the way through is Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. I started reading this and the other Harry Potter books after seeing the first film in the cinema, from then on I was hooked! When I read a book, it is almost like the words disappear and on the pages I see the scenes unfolding, the characters talking and I’m totally engrossed in the book.
How long have you been writing?
I published my first book in September 2015, and it took me about 6 months to write, so under a year. Here’s to many more years of writing!
Why attracted you to write in your particular genre?
I’ve always loved fantasy/young adult books, they’re what I read most, and where my imagination is strongest!
What part of writing do you find the most difficult?
I find the editing the hardest part of writing. I hate going through and finding mistakes in my writing, or bits that make no sense at all and need re-writing. It needs to be done. The first draft of my books tend to be lacking description and information, but I really hate doing it.
What part of writing do you find the most enjoyable?
The best part of writing for me is writing fast paces scenes or ones that get my heart racing. I live and breathe my characters, and feel what they feel. If the character is scared, then so am I, if they fall in love, then I do too. This is my favorite part of writing by far!
What inspires you?
My own imagination I guess. I’ve always been told I have an over active imagination. It’s nice to be able to put it to good use.
Are there any particular writers whose work has influenced you?
I don’t really know who has influenced my writing. There isn’t another book out there like the White Ghost series as far as I can tell, but I do know who it was that inspired me to write in general. It was an author called Lola StVil. I started reading her books on kindle and was hooked on them. I thought there was no way I could ever get my books published and didn’t know about self publishing till I found out that was how she did it. I then put pen to paper and got writing. So a big thank you to her.
What writing habits/practices do you find the most useful in your writing? Could you tell us something about your writing process?
I don’t really know what habits I have when I’m writing, other than speed typing and getting ahead of myself. This is not useful at all. My brain runs away with me and tries to get me to write the next scene before the present one has even finished.
With regards to my writing process, I guess it’s a little unusual. I don’t write out a story board, or what is going to happen. It is all in my head, and that is where it will stay.
What authors do you like to read?
I love reading any kind of fantasy/young adult books. My favorite authors are JK Rowling, Stephanie Meyer, Stephanie Collins and Darren Shan, but I’m open to new books from others.
Can you tell us something about your current work-in-progress?
At the moment I am working on my third book. White Ghost and the Mountain Spirit. It is the third instalment of the White Ghost series and I am very much looking forward to finishing it off, and I know my sister is too. (She nearly killed me for leaving the second book on a cliffhanger) This series is about a young Native American girl who is different from the others in her tribe. She is an outcast and shunned for her different looks and outgoing personality. The books follow her as she ventures out on her own, meeting new companions and getting into trouble, all in an attempt to find herself.
What future projects do you have planned?
After the White Ghost series I am writing a spin off book based on one of the other characters in the White Ghost series. I am looking forward to being able to tell the story of Nashoba, Nootau, Mato and Doahte.
If you want to know more about Kellie and her books, click on the links below:
Kellie's author page UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/
Kellie's author page US http://www.amazon.com/
Website Link http://kellie-steele.
Thank you so much for answering my questions, Kellie, it's been a pleasure to interview you. Good luck with your writing, and with the nomination.
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Or check out my new pinterest boards:https://uk.pinterest.com/teagankearney/
If you're a Wattpad member, I have several short stories posted on the site: https://www.wattpad.com/teagankearney
Thanks for visiting my blog, and please do leave a comment.
To all story lovers out there, good reading, and to those of you who write, good writing.
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