Just to get us started, how old are you?
It’s crazy how often I see that question come up in the keyword searches on my blog! I’m twenty-six. I think. I always forget and have to remember how old my sister is and then count up the years between us. Yep, twenty-six.
Regarding schooling…. where did you go to school and what for?
Oh, let’s see, I went to school for the usual reasons: i.e., my parents made me. No, seriously, I loved school and was sorry to see it end. I was homeschooled all the way through, which was a huge blessing, since I learn best when I can sit down with a book and basically teach myself. I opted out of college, since I knew I wanted to write and felt an MFA wasn’t the best way to get there.
From sun-up to sun-down, what does a typical day look like for you?
When the sun comes up, I’m blissfully in bed. I joke that, next to writing, sleeping is my favorite hobby. I killed my alarm clock a few years ago and started letting myself wake up naturally. It’s made a huge difference in my energy level and general outlook during the day.
So I get up around 7:30, spend an hour in prayer and Bible study, then work out, eat breakfast, shower, dress, all that jazz. Around 9:30, I hit the Internet to answer emails and zoom through Twitter and Facebook. After taking my crazy black Lab for a walk, my morning is usually filled up with odds and ends. My afternoons are usually divided in half, with a quick social-site check in the middle. I’ll the spend the first couple hours working on whatever big project is at hand (right now, it’s the Outlining Your Novel workshop I’m putting together for Writer’s Digest University), then move on to writing or editing my current WIP. I’ll check email and Facebook once more after supper, then spend the evening kicking back, watching movies and reading.
When did you decide, this is what I really want to do….? I want to be a writer! Was there an ah-ha moment?
Actually, not really. I just sort of stumbled into it. When I was younger, I always figured I’d grow up to have a career that involved horses. Stories were just something I threw together to entertain myself. Then one afternoon I realized I’d much rather stay in and write instead of go and out ride. Still, I just sort of stumbled into the career aspect. I never expected it to pay the bills, so that’s been a nice surprise!
You are a mentor to other writers. How did you get to be so knowledgeable, so quickly, in the writing industry?
Two things: lots of study and lots of practice. I’ve been devouring books—novels and writing craft books alike—for years. But, even more importantly, I’ve written every single day (give or take a few) for the last twelve years. I harp on it so often, it’s almost become my mantra, but I really do believe in the power of making time to write every day.
Also, writing about writing on my blog Wordplay has allowed me to distill my own experiences. My own growth as a writer goes hand in hand with what I’m able to teach others.
Do you feel like there is a theme in your books that keeps showing up?
Redemption. That’s my scarlet thread. There also seems to be a fair amount of violence. And also snarky sidekicks. And there’s usually more than a trickle of romance.
Tell us about Dreamlander and why you’ve decided to go the self-publishing route.
I’ve independently published all my books. It started as a sort of a lark with A Man Called Outlaw (an admittedly uninformed lark that cost me a lot of money). I’ve just sort of fallen in love with the process from there. I’ve considered traditional publishing with every book, but I keep coming back to doing it myself. With the recent change in trends, of course, that’s all become very vogue. Despite indie publishing’s pitfalls, I do feel it offers some wonderful options and opportunities for authors. It’s treated me well this far, and, as I like to say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Dreamlander will be my first fantasy. It’s been a marvelous journey—sometimes hair-raising, sometimes frustrating, definitely educational, and extremely rewarding. The story runs on the idea that we’re actually living two parallel lives, one when we’re awake in this world and one in another world while we “dream.” My main character is my usual brand of messed-up hero who turns out to be the only person in his generation who can cross between the worlds. He accidentally resurrects a vengeful warlord, gets shot at several times by a lovely princess, is enslaved by an adorably ugly brownie-like creature, and, of course, ends up on his own road to redemption.
It’s scheduled for release in early December, and you can read the official synopsis here.
For fun……What are some of your favorite TV shows to watch?
I actually don’t watch too much TV, but I love oldies like The Andy Griffith Show and The Dick Van Dyke Show—and the old westerns like Big Valley and Wanted: Dead or Alive.
Last movie you went to the theater and saw?
That would be The Amazing Spider-Man, but I’m actually just about to head out the door to see Bourne Legacy.
Other than writing, what do you like to do for fun? Hobbies?
What? You mean, there’s life outside of writing?
Any pets? Make-believe friends? Celebrity crush?
Pets: My black Lab Bob (named after Bill Murray’s character in What About Bob?) and four cats: Spanky, Fluff Monster, Ocho, and Peyton.
Make-believe friends: Just the ones in my books!
Celebrity crush: Steve McQueen, Steve McQueen, Steve McQueen.
If I’m coming over for dessert, what would we be having?
No-Bake Chocolate Truffle Cake—better known around here as Woohoo Cake.
While we’re stuffing in our dessert, what board game would we playing?
Taboo. All comers welcome. No holds barred.
Any closing words of wisdom for other author-wannabees out there?
Laugh lots, live deeply, write every day, and always post warning signs when you’re running low on coffee and chocolate.
The Giveaway!
One winner will receive a book of choice from author, K.M. Weiland! Use the Rafflecopter below to be entered:
K.M. Weiland is the author of the historical western A Man Called Outlaw and the medieval epic Behold the Dawn. She enjoys mentoring other authors through her writing tips, her book Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success, and her instructional CD Conquering Writer’s Block and Summoning Inspiration.
Connect with her here:
K.M. Weiland
Historical and Speculative Novelist | Helping Writers Become Authors
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{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
Great interview ladies! I enjoyed getting to know Kathryn better. This is a great way to start the week – inspired by her success.
Thanks for stopping by, Karen!
Sounds like you have found another great book by a wonderful Author! Always hard at work…we can count on you to find us the very best Diane, thank you for all your hard work and diligence in finding Great Writers and Books to inspire and take us away!
Kathryn, what an inspiration to me! As someone who is blogging but knows the next step is God prodding me strongly to write and being terrified and not knowing where or how to start…you are a wonderful encouragement! Thank you!
Writing *is* terrifying, on so many levels. But it's also one of most rewarding ways to spend your life. Dive into the big pool. You'll love it!
Always interesting to read about authors and how they came have made their journey to writing. Sounds like a good book. Kind of weird, but my son and I were just talking about this very same premise this morning
Hope I win!
Thanks! I actually have to give credit for the original dream concept to my brother. He poked and prodded me into writing it into a book, so I suppose he gets credit for that too.
awesome interview. Her writing routine sounds just like mines!
Let's hear it for great minds who think alike!
This is my first time here and I enjoyed getting to know Kathryn. I love reading and I especially love being introduced to new books and their writers. Thanks for the great interview and if I win I would love K.M's book "A Man Called Outlaw". I love westerns, when I was a kid every Saturday we would watch cowboy movies, and all the old western shows!
Westerns were my first love. I grew up on John Wayne movies and the like, and most of my early (unpublished) novels were westerns. I've been exploring other time periods (and worlds) lately, but one of these days I'd like to go back and write another western.
Thanks so much for hosting the interview and the giveaway, Diane! I had a ton of fun with it.
I would like to win "The Memory Lights". I have read some of her other work, and I love it!
I don't write short stories very often, but The Memory Lights was one that I particularly had fun with.
Good interview, Katie. I've always wondered how your day is spent. You're so productive, I thought you had a magic formula to add hours to the day beyond the usual 24. Turns out you're just organized and disciplined. Wow. Where was I when God was passing out those two assets?
I wish! Tell me when you discover that magic formula, and you'll be my hero forever!
Great interview! Thanks for the warning about the coffee and chocolate. Will have to use it in my house!
One More Night in the Rain. The book I would like to read!
It's good stuff! No author should be without it.
I would love to read "Behold the Dawn." Thanks for the chance to win!
Good luck in the drawing!
Thank you!
I wish I could kill my alarm clock sometimes…but my daughter's only two and she's so darn cute, plus I'd miss her if she wasn't in my face every monring at 6am!! What a fun interview! Congrats on all your writing success!
Killing my alarm clock consisted of significantly fewer moral and legal problems.
Not to mention it was severely lacking the cuteness department!
What a smart young woman you must be, and a pretty one too . I love to read and your western book sounds like it would be one I would like to read, thanks for sharing both your talant and books.
Thanks Diane for the invitation to visit…
Thanks for stopping by, Paula! Good luck in the drawing.
Enjoyed reading this interview – I was laughing out loud at many of her responses. I think I would like "The Saddle Daddy Rode".
I had a ton of fun with Diane's questions. So another thank you to her for having me!
Ah, I love the thought of sending the alarm clock to its heavenly reward. Too bad my boss wouldn't appreciate me coming in a hour late.
I'd love to win one of Kathryn's books – her choice.
I have a feeling that if wishes equaled alarm clock assassinations, there'd be a lot more alarm clocks flying around on little angel wings.
My Newfoundland is my alarm clock. He barks faithfully at 6:30 every morning.
A Man Called Outlaw sounds wonderful. your interview inspires me. Thanks for a great blog interview.
In truth, my cat likes to pretend he's my alarm clock. He'll sit outside the window and meow loudly.
Oh, I'm excited about this giveaway! I'd love to win a copy of "Conquering Writer's Block and Summoning Inspiration"
I hope you do!
My mini dachshund Snickers is my alarm clock most mornings… I have to agree that letting myself wake up naturally makes me more productive, though. I would choose Behold the Dawn. I'd love to pick your brain sometime about self-publishing and time management. Thanks for the giveaway!
Have at it! Feel free to email me (http://kmweiland.com/contact.php). No promises I'll know I'll the answers, but I'll be happy to give 'em my best shot!
I would want to win Behold the Dawn, because I loved her Outline book, but have yet to get a hold of her fiction!
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
biblioprincess15 (at) yahoo (dot) com
So glad you're enjoying the outlining book! Makes my day to hear that.