6/6/6, interview
YAW: Thanks for taking time to interview with YAW! First off, who is your favorite YAW-thor?
KB: I’d have to say Amelia. We’ve been friends for a long time; I admire her work (I love the direction she’s taken with the Kiesha’ra series) and she is a continual inspiration.
YAW: Secondly, what is your favorite dessert?
KB: Oh man, that’s a tough one. I have SUCH a sweet tooth. I’m a vegetarian and try to eat healthy, but desserts always get me. Let’s see right now I’m going with ice cream as my favorite.
YAW: When did you start writing?
KB: Way back; I’m sure there’re cardboard boxes in my parents basement with stapled booklets I wrote. I remember one about sending my brother to Mars. As for novels, I made my first attempt at 13.
YAW: When and why did you start trying to get published?
KB: I started trying to get published after I wrote Branch. As for why, I just wanted to have the manuscript in book form and I wanted to share the story with my friends/family.
YAW: [That’s interesting! I guess it’s become an underground hit then.] So, what type of novel do you prefer to write?
KB: I used to be very interested in occult/supernatural fiction. Right now, I haven’t been writing too much in that genre, but I still like to incorporate the magical into my stories.
YAW: What has been the best thing to happen to you since publishing that you feel you wouldn’t have been able to have happen if you weren’t published?
KB: Hmm I’d say its been the responses I’ve received from readers and anytime I’ve sparked some encouragement in other writers.
YAW: If you could have three wishes, and they wouldn’t backfire at you, what would they be?
KB: Haha I’m glad you’ve added that backfire clause, though I suspect that’s really what wishes are all about. Let’s see I suppose one of my wishes would be for people to be more aware of their impact on the world and more motivated to work for change (environmental, social, etc.) I’d also wish for a healthy, love-filled life for happiness really (I think that’s the secret to a good wish, those of you who stumble across a genie anytime soon just wish for happiness). And I’d splurge one of my wishes on something fun like a billion dollars or a super power (any of them, but flying, invisibility, or psychokinesis come to mind).
YAW: A lot of writers are friends with other writers, like JRR Tolkien was friends with CS Lewis. Are you friends with other writers of any age and if so, how does having other writers in your life influence your own writing?
KB: I do have several friends in my life who are writers, and I think that makes me doubly blessed to know them. For one, I love observing the creative process in another person; its something I’ll never tire of. Also, there’s the wonderful opportunity to share ideas and to give and receive constructive criticism. And it’s great to have someone who understands you when you need to talk about a character and isn’t put off by you discussing them like you would any other person.
YAW: A lot of people think that young writers don’t have enough life experience to write well. They think that young writers are a gimmick. As someone who has been published young, what is your response to those people?
KB: Probably something between a disdainful snort and a growl. I think its a wonderfully ageist opinion from those who are probably just envious there’s kids half or a third their age writing and getting published. I believe it’s true that as you grow and accumulate experiences your writing improves from it, but I also think that young writers have a valuable place. While a young writer may have yet to develop an understanding of all the nuances of an emotion or something, it is still important for her to write (and be read). As you get older you think you know everything about your youth, but the truth is it does slip away from you, becoming subsumed in your adult perspective. There’s so much wonderful writing coming from people who aren’t afraid to hold back just because they’ve been told they’re too young to know anything about the craft.
YAW: Do you tell new friends about your books right away or wait until you know them better?
KB: I don’t often say I’m a writer to people when I meet them. I don’t talk about my books unless people ask.
YAW: Do your girlfriends think it’s cool that you’re a published writer or does it not really mean much to them (is it just another part of who you are to them)?
KB: It’s not that big of a deal. My closer friends tease me about the novel now because my writing has changed a lot (i.e. improved) since I wrote it.
YAW: A lot of young writers look up to young published authors, because you represent the hope that adults will take young writers seriously. What is one piece of advice that you would give to young writers?
KB: Don’t give up. Read and write and rewrite. You can’t fail if you don’t give up (whose quote was that?)
YAW: Have you ever had someone walk up to you randomly and know who you were when you weren’t at an event? If so, what did you do?
KB: Not that I recall.
YAW: What is one thing you wish you hadn’t done as far as your publishing life goes?
KB: I don’t regret anything about my publishing decisions. It was a very educational experience (learning how the whole publishing world works) that I’m quite thankful for.
YAW: What do you feel are some of the reasons your novels resonate with your readers the way they do?
KB: I think that this age group has an especially strong affinity to the magical/supernatural I’d been interested in writing about witchcraft and so on for years, and while magic’s always been a popular theme for the YA market, it seemed to have had quite a surge lately.
YAW: What has it been like being a young adult while also being a published author? How have things changed, or not, with your friends, family, and co-workers?
KB: My friends and family were so excited for me when it happened; they were definitely my publicists. I don’t think anyone outside of my hometown would have read it if it hadn’t been for their enthusiasm.
YAW: If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you take with you and what three people?
KB: Well, if I knew I was going to be stranded, I’d say practical, survival-type things and outdoorsy, survival-oriented people, so for one of the things a huge box of desert island supplies and for one person a genius-survival-doctor-type guy. I’d also take my mp3 player (can we pretend it would be solar powered or something?) and a journal, and for two other people my friend and an intriguing philosopher (hopefully one who’s fundamentally optimistic).
YAW: The main question everyone is asking: when will the sequel to A Branch of Thorns be ready for voracious readers?
KB: hehe well, a sequels been written (or about 90% of one), but every time I attempt a rewrite of the draft I run into problems. My writing’s changed a lot since the initial draft, that’s the main problem. I’m also incredibly busy with college, so a lot of my writing is devoted to academic papers.
YAW: You published A Branch of Thorns with a print-on-demand publisher instead of a traditional publishing house. What have been the pros and cons of this decision?
KB: For me its been basically all pros because it fit exactly what I wanted for the book: publication, placement on online vendors (i.e. amazon, b&n), etc. I’d say the cons would be not having an editor work with you on the book, and I think there’s a perpetual stigma associated with p.o.d. publishing that, since anyone can publish, none of the writing is any good.
YAW: Your story focuses on and has a lot of detail about magical witches. Do people often think that, just because you wrote about them, that you are a witch?
KB: Sure. But then again, when I wrote the book in high school, a lot of people thought I was a witch to begin with. I hypnotized people and read tarot cards, students often came up to me asking for spells, all that. I’ve had a lifelong fascination with witchcraft.
YAW: Your site has been down for maintenance for a while. What are you planning on unveiling with the redesign?
KB: Hopefully I’ll get to working on that! It’s been down for ages. Again, I cite university as my excuse. I don’t really have any big plans for it; I think the main thing will be to move away from the focus on A Branch of Thorns and to feature some of my other writing (short stories, poetry).
YAW: [I look forward to that!] Your hair is significantly longer than the last time we saw it, especially since the author photo on Thorns. How long are you planning on letting it grow to?
KB: Haha I keep it about mid-to-lower shoulder blade. I just had it trimmed actually.
YAW: I keep seeing your name pop up with Amelia Atwater-Rhodes', and you’ve mentioned her earlier in our interview. In fact, you were in a writers' group of hers. What's it been like being friends with such a famous young author, and then becoming one yourself? Do you still keep in touch?
KB: It’s been phenomenal knowing Amelia. I cherish her friendship. I first heard of her when I was trying to write my first novel. I was wondering if there was anyone else out there my age writing larger works. Then I saw an article in People magazine about her and I was extremely interested. I eventually got to know her and it’s been one of the greatest blessings in my life. We’re both pretty busy, but even though we’re not in touch all the time she’s never too far from my mind.
YAW: Anything else you'd like to say to YAW’s readers while you have us here?
KB: You’re beautiful. Let’s try something. After reading this, go start a story. Don’t think about it, just do it open up a Word document or your notebook and just write one sentence before you can doubt it. Then we’ll see where these stories take us. I just started mine. It’s ridiculous and I hate the first line, but I’ll see it through in hopes that you’ll do the same.
YAW: Thanks very much, Kyle! It’s been great finally getting in touch with you. And happy birthday this month!!!
KB: Haha, yeah the big 21 on the 9th I get to share it with Johnny Depp! Thanks for the wonderful questions B. Good luck with YAW and keep writing everyone!
YAW: It’s been an honor and a pleasure. I wish you continued success in your writing and everything else you might try out! And a reminder to all YAW readers to check out A Branch of Thorns and visit Kyle at his site www.oocities.org/kylebladow
-- Interviewed by B.
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