Interview with K. W. Quinn
Author K.W. Quinn is launching her debut novel, Mistwalker on April 20th. Here she shares her process or writing (and publishing!) a story she'd love to read.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’ve said for years that all of my hobbies are just some form of dress-up, and as a mom and a preschool teacher, imagination is definitely a skill I practice daily. I grew up in a family that loved sci-fi and fantasy. We had a bird named Merlin and a boat named Lady of the Lake, so I definitely got a good head start on my dramatic flair.
Who is your MC, and what is their journey like?
My main character, Cass, is just trying to do the right thing and save his best friend. He didn't want to change the world, but the world had other plans. He's a reluctant hero, legendary chosen one, and fumbling his way into an underground revolution that's about to blow everything wide open. For the savior of the world, he says "dude" too much. Thankfully, he's got help to keep him moving towards his destiny.
Has your story been percolating for a while, or is it something that came to you more recently?
Like a slow cooker, the base idea for this story sprouted years ago with a “what if” that I kept track of in a spare document and added ideas to until I finally sat down and played connect the dots with all the bits and pieces.
What does your approach to writing look like?
Like an octopus with xylophone? I like to have an idea of where I’m going, with plenty of space to take detours on the way. My original outline actually contained the bullet point “does something cool” and then when I got there, I had to figure out what that was. Thankfully, as I typed the lead up, an idea occurred and it was better than I had anticipated. I also try to remind myself that I am my first audience. I wrote a book full of the things that I like to read. Best friends. Hidden identities. Found family. Ice cream and beachy towns.
There are many ways to approach self-publishing. How have you done it?
I asked a lot of questions of the people I know who’ve done it. Then followed their footsteps. So much about this process has seemed surreal or unobtainable, like a thing that “other people” do. Realizing that I am an “other people” has helped demystify things a little. I wrote this book and I want to share it with people. I’m grateful to be able to do that without having to get a traditional publishing company to take a risk on me.
Where did you find your editor and cover artist?
I stole them from my friends. Ok, steal is a strong word, but I loved the art from a friend’s book and asked if I could get the name of his artist. One of my beta readers knew an editor who loved my genre and put me in touch with them. For being on the very fringe of the “industry” I have been incredibly lucky to have made the connections to the people who have made this dream into a reality.
How have you approached reader outreach and marketing?
With much nail-biting and self doubt. First, I tell everyone that I wrote a book. Then, I keep telling them about it, in as many places as I can manage.
How did you run your beta?
I was lucky enough to have a few close friends who are writers, and in the beginning, they were my sounding board. I discussed the outline and structure of the book and they helped me find the gaping plot holes. The most helpful part was between the first two drafts. Getting feedback from trusted sources who also knew a bit about how to tell a story helped me see what parts of the original story were slowing it down and which parts needed to be fattened up.
Once I had a solid third draft, I cast my net a little wider and began asking for readers who hadn’t heard my months of agonizing over these characters. Fresh eyes could see where the gaps between my vision and my story were. Honestly, finding folks who have the time and energy to be beta readers is difficult. They are the unsung heroes of book making.
How are you staying encouraged as a writer and a person in these strange times?
Glitter. No seriously. Paint my nails (dress up), swipe on some eyeshadow (dress up), go find rocks with natural mica in them (make believe I’m a geologist… which is just mental dress up). Physical sparkles help keep me sparkling on the inside. I may have also used a mirror to make my children chase a spot of light around the living room. Possibly.
Lastly, where can people connect with you online?
Kwquinnbooks.com
facebook.com/kwquinnbooks
@kwquinnbooks on Instagram
Mistwalker is currently available for pre-order on Amazon, and will be available April 20.
