Author Interview
Creativity runs deep in the veins of us all, even though some say that isn’t true. This next Author has embraced his creative ways and has put on an Author hat to show the world how creative he can really become. Especially in the genre of Horror. That is how I found him on Twitter and I can’t wait to read his books, horror or other. So allow me to introduce you to the author, Kit.
1. What sparked your interest in writing?
I grew up in a very creative family. They were all painters and sculptors and woodcarvers. I had none of those skills. I did, however, get good grades, especially in the Language Arts. I wrote a story for a class in the 7th grade and it ended up being published – proper published – After that, I just did it for fun. I’d get ideas and write stories. I would go in waves of writing a lot for 18 months or so and then no writing at all for a year. But, by the time I was 25, I had published a few short stories and had a book deal.
2. Has anyone in your life inspired you to write?
I had support from my grandmother and from various people, but I was pretty much self-inspired. It is just in my DNA.
3. When did you decide to publish?
Well—That’s a whole book in itself. I made the mistake of being alternately cocky, apprehensive, anxious and finally stupid. I turned down the book deal mentioned above because it was at a small publishing house. I wanted to be where Stephen King was. When that didn’t happen, I got angry – then no more deals came along. So I kind of gave up. I was in the radio business by that point, making a name for myself and making good money, so I kind of put writing behind me. Then when I was in my early 40s, I took a small contract and got screwed over by the publisher. Traditional publishing, for me, was a bad experience.
4. Are you an Indie Author or Traditional Author? Why did you choose the path you did?
I’m indie right now. See above! – LOL – But that could change soon.
5. What is your first published book?
It was called Shadow Light – It was good. It never saw the light of day, and I will probably never get the rights back.
6. Are you happy with how your books are coming out? Would you change anything?
I wish I would have spent more money on an editor at the beginning, but I learned that lesson and now hire only really good editors and cover artists.
7. Will you continue to publish books for many years to come?
Oh yeah. I will probably end up doing one every 18 months or so. I would like to publish one a year, but I have become really protective over my ideas and want them to be really solid when they come out. I can be really prolific when it comes to output. When I write a book, I usually commit to 3500 words per day, every day, until it’s done. I treat it like a job. I work on it for 4-6 hours a day and take weekends off.
8. What genres inspire you to write
Horror. Always horror. I probably have a mainstream book or two inside me, but it doesn’t bring me joy to write about real life and family conflict and that kind of thing. It just doesn’t inspire me like Horror does.
9. What is your favorite genre to write? What is your least favorite genre to write?
I probably have a mainstream book or two inside me, but it doesn’t bring me joy to write about real life and family conflict and that kind of thing. It just doesn’t inspire me like Horror does. Least favorite? Probably fantasy or sci-fi. I just don’t get into the giant world building — not my thing.
10. What challenges have you faced publishing?
Aside from an almost decade long lawsuit? LOL – Nothing.
11. What challenges have you faced in writing?
I guess my biggest challenge is organization. I can get super involved in a story and kind of forget to eat lunch or take out the garbage—I can get so immersed that I am kind of zombie for my family. I have gotten better and they have really helped me to snap back to reality.
12. Where do your ideas for your books come from? Where do you keep those ideas?
I am kind of different sort of cat when it comes to ideas. I don’t write more than one WIP at a time, because when I get an idea, I ALWAYS know the ending. To me, it’s not an idea if it’s just two chapters and then gets stuck. When I get the idea, I find the ending in my head before I even START to write. I have a little notebook with fully formed ideas. When I finish one, I don’t start the next until the first one is exactly how I like it.
13. Are you also a bookworm and does reading other works help inspire your own writing?
I used to be voracious. I am not so much anymore. I do read, but I am picky. The only author that I read that I would say “Inspires” my own writing is Clive Barker, because in my genre, he is my gold standard as far as being a wordsmith. His writing is all the things horror needs to be—scary, graphic, chilling, tense, etc…but he is so eloquent in his sentencing and structure. It can backfire though—sometimes I will read him and just for a moment think, “God. I suck” – but just for a moment.
14. Do you have a website where we can follow you?
15. What is the link for your books so others may look and possibly purchase them from?
Well – We have taken everything down at the moment, because I am close to releasing a new book called DRAW BLOOD – which I intended to release myself, but I am in preliminary discussions with a boutique publisher about joining them in a few projects and possibly a long-term book deal. We’ll see.
I am bummed that he took his book down, but I am so excited that there is possibly a book deal for his next book. I can’t wait to get my hands on any of his books since he is like me, a horror fan and horror author. He is someone I will definitely keep my eye on, and I hope that you too. Horror fan? Kit is your man with the creative juices flowing through his veins and imagination as he creates worlds and characters that will delight and scare. Good luck, Kit! I am rooting for you and I hope you get that book deal.