Author website and blog: www.kathrynbladeauthor.com
Twitter: @blade_kathryn
I began writing when I was a sophomore in high school after reading The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss. The fire was lit to create beautiful worlds and stories with words. Unfortunately for me, my parents did not approve of my desire to choose writing as a career. I stopped writing after a less than pleasant family meeting about this. I did not start writing again until 2018. Once I began writing again, I realized how therapeutic the process is for me. I work as a substance abuse counselor and find the job draining yet strangely rewarding. Writing is my therapy, my outlet.
Since I started writing I have self-published five novellas and two short stories. My husband began to experience some health problems which resulted in his being unable to work. I put my writing career on hold in order to address his medical needs. Self publishing can be an expensive job for an unknown author such as myself. I continue to write, however, and have plans to publish under an alternate pen name more suitable for the genre (erotic romance). I hope to publish the debut novel by the end of 2019.
What is/are the real-life story(ies) behind your book(s)?
I am a hopeless romantic. I believe that good guys win and love conquers all. My husband is the inspiration for many of my male characters. He is the most sensitive, gentle, loving soul in the world. He loves without conditions and has helped me learn how to love myself.
What inspires/inspired your creativity?
Good music and travel inspire my creativity. I frequently travel for work-related purposes. Each and every time I travel for work, I am mentally taking notes of sights, sounds, places, and people that may fit within a novel.
How do you deal with creative block?
When I have a creative block, I take time away to read, rest, relax, and have fun with my family. The creative blocks rarely last for long if I do these things.
What are the biggest mistakes you can make in a book?
Rushing the creative process is the worst mistake an author can make. I did this with the first works I published and realize now there was so much more of the stories to be told. My advice for new authors is to take your time, write a skeleton of the story, let it sit for at least thirty days, read over it, fill in the holes and gaps in the plot, and let it rest again. Nothing is to be gained by rushing a story.
Do you have tips on choosing titles and covers?
Titles usually are inspired by the story. I think of a main theme or place in the story, or even a character’s name that might inspire a title. As for covers, look at a lot of covers and don’t buy just to be buying. You will know in your gut when you have the right cover if you choose a premade cover.
How do bad reviews and negative feedback affect you and how do you deal with them?
If bad reviews offer constructive feedback I listen to what the reader says. If there is a valid point I try to address it in the future. Good reviews inspire my creative energy. But to be honest, I don’t read reviews a lot because there are a lot of trolls out there. Beware the trolls, beginning authors!
How has your creation process improved over time?
I take more time to plan stories. I think about the who, what, when, where and why. I read and re-read my stories throughout the process not only to catch typographical errors, but to catch errors in flow, plot, etc.
What were the best, worst and most surprising things you encountered during the entire process of completing your book(s)?
The most surprising thing for me was that there were people out there who wanted to read my work and they loved it.
Do you tend towards personal satisfaction or aim to serve your readers? Do you balance the two and how?
If writing doesn’t make me happy, I won’t be doing it much longer.
What role do emotions play in creativity?
Emotions are mandatory in the creative process. Your reader should feel the emotion of the story and characters. If you don’t feel the emotion, your readers probably won’t either.
Do you have any creativity tricks?
I’m always looking at art, listening to music, reading, and looking at life and our big, beautiful world to inspire me. It hasn’t failed me yet.
What are your plans for future books?
I have plans to publish erotic romance novels under an alternate pen name. I may, or may not, publish more books under this pen name. I do, however, work tirelessly to read and review the work of other indie authors under this pen name. It is important to support the creative work of my fellow indie authors. They are some of the most creative, talented, and inspirational people I know.