Interview with Kristin Elise Garrett

Our guest this week is Kristin Elise Garrett. She’s a fellow Blog Battler who’s taken a break from her South American travels in Argentina long enough to chat with us here.

So Kristin, who’s your favorite character you’ve written so far and why?

Diego from my first book, She Hopped Over the Wall. I wrote him into someone I could fall in love with. So my heroine does.

What’s the craziest story idea you’ve ever had?

I wrote a story about a girl who manipulates her sociopath ex boyfriend into suicide.

What about your upcoming work?

My next novel will have a few chapters in Buenos Aires. It’s really a romantic comedy that women can relate to. You’ll have to wait for the story line though. 🙂

What project are you looking forward to next?

One of my goals this year is to wrote a skit for SNL.

Any basic writing philosophy or tips?

Write for yourself not for stats. But don’t listen to me if you actually want to sell books.

How do you develop your characters?

I begin with a blank slate and often they create themselves.

Where do you come up with ideas for new characters or stories?

I take life and twist it into something more entertaining.

How do you decide where to set a story?

Geography is important. People don’t realize how much logistics effects one’s daily lives. How I decide is based on many factors. You will have to read my books to find out.

How do you manage world-building? Is it all thought out ahead of time, or do you make it up as you go?

It’s like life. I make plans and it goes where it wants anyways.

Do you have any revision tips to share?

1st draft coffee, 2nd draft beer, 3rd draft coffee.

What has been the hardest thing about publishing for you?

I’m not a techie, a marketing expert, or a graphic artist. I just want to write.

What do you do when you get stuck writing your story?

Set a timer and keep writing. Usually it turns out fine. If it doesn’t, hit delete.

Do you write with a word count goal?

No. That feels like school.

How did you decide on your genre?

I’m good at it.

What is the most memorable writing comment you’ve ever gotten?

It was something like: more than one can expect out of anyone’s second book.

Name one thing that always makes you excited to write.

Coffee.

If your writing suddenly made you rich and famous, what would you do with your success?

I would go to college forever if you let me.

What is the best part about being an indie author for you?

No one can control my work. I don’t want it twisted into something it shouldn’t be.

What’s something most readers would never guess about you?

I’m not a people person.

Besides writing, what are your favorite things to do?

Read.

If you have a blog, how did that start?

I moved to Texas and had no friends so I made a productive use of my time. I go back to California soon. Then I can go outside again.

What do you do for cover art? Do you do it yourself, hire an artist, or purchase premade?

I don’t hire anyone. I think most professional book covers look cheesy. Plus I don’t pay for things that have zero ROI.

Who are your writing heroes and why?

CS Lewis. He’s a Christian and can write Christian or secular books and still keep everyone engaged.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez. They’re are writers that are imaginative story tellers. You read them because the story is interesting. You want to see where it goes. But Marquez could write about a blank wall and make it sound captivating. He grabs you with his description. It’s not cheesy and metaphorical. There’s something seductive about it.

You can find out more about Kristin at https://pursuitofanewadventure.wordpress.com.

About cathleentownsend

Avid writer and reader of Faerie tales and noblebright fantasy.