Slogan: Bringing darkness into light….
I would like to introduce Kindra Sowder, author of Hello, My Name is...: A Miss Hyde Novella, The Executioner Trilogy and more! I had the pleasure of meeting her when we were part of the same publishing house. After a small kerfuffle within said house, Kindra had the vision and strength to form Burning Willows Press, an independent publishing house with a stable of fantastic authors.
Well, enough gilding the lily, on to the interview!!
1. Are you “An Author” -or- “A Writer”? What’s the difference?
Well, since they both really mean the same thing, I think author sounds a lot better. When I hear people call me a writer I automatically make a face. No idea why I would prefer not to be called a writer. Author just feels so….official, I guess is the word.
2. Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
I haven’t….yet. I am an open book (pun intended). I am completely open about anything from political beliefs to religious, etc.
3. What is your biggest failure?
Does failing at life count? Seriously, though, my biggest failure has a lot to do with family matters. I am a very busy person with an extremely packed schedule. I don’t get to call or see them as often as I would like, but I do make the effort when the opportunity presents itself.
4. What is the worst lie you ever told?
You’d have to read my work to find out. After all, I do lie for a living.
5. What literary character is most like you?
Since I couldn’t come up with an answer myself, I asked my husband. He says I’m like Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz.” He states it’s because I will do what I have to to get through my trials and hardships to make it back home.
6. What secret talents do you have?
Only people that went to school with me know this, but I do have quite the awesome singing voice. I was in chorus all through school and took voice lessons from my senior year chorus teacher to have better control over certain vocal talents. Now I reserve it for car karaoke. I’m also deadly accurate with my 1964 Makarov.
7. How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
Fair warning, I make most feel inadequate when they ask me this question. In total, I have 200 started novels and ideas in a folder on my laptop. Yes, you read that right. 200! I’ll be writing till I die, if not after. This is my opportunity to tell Mark Tufo I’m sorry lol.
8. Do you Google yourself?
I have on occasion but don’t typically find anything new about myself I didn’t already know.
9. What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?
One thing I can’t stand is a vanity press. They are some of the most crooked businesses in this industry. I tell everyone to run away as fast as they can when they mention one.
10. What is your writing Kryptonite?
Cat videos on YouTube….and Facebook.
11. What popular movie/book/music which others adore, do you secretly despise?
I should let everyone know now that I don’t secretly despise anything. But, since you asked, I very outwardly despise Twilight (movies) and Justin Bieber.
12. What is the worst criticism you ever received? How did it make you feel?
I was told, for years, that my writing would get me nowhere. It was what I was least talented at and I should focus on my art and design work. Those words were drilled into me since 15 when I started writing. It made me feel horrible, but gave me drive to prove them wrong. With 8 published novels and so many short stories, I think I won.
13. If you were to die tomorrow, which book of yours would you want people to remember you by?
At this point in time, while I would love to be remembered for all of them, I’d say “The Harvested” would be it. It’s one of my favorites and is rather ground-breaking according to some of my readers.
14. How long/how many rejections did you get before someone gave you your shot?
Countless. I’d have to go back into my email and count each one. I’d rather not relive it lol.
15. No bullshit, what is your favorite thing you’ve written?
My series “The Permutation Archives.” I adore it. Shameless plug, book 2 “The Pursuit” comes out December 3rd.
16. On a scale of 1 to 10, what is your writer’s ego?
One. As anyone who knows me can tell you, I write because I love to but I don’t think I’m the most amazing out there. And I continue to grow.
17. How comfortable are you with writing sex/sensual scenes?
This is a great question. When I first began writing The Miss Hyde Novellas, it felt awkward. The first chapter in the first volume “Hello, My Name is…” was the first I had ever written and that didn’t even go nearly as far as the others since then. Now I’m so used to it I can write a good one in my sleep.
18. Have you ever been in a fight/punched in the face? How did/would you react?
Well, without going into detail because that’s just too difficult to relive, I have been. I can tell you that I don’t react well to violence or pain.
19. You’re stranded on a tropical island with no hope of rescue. There is fresh water, fruit, wild veggies and animals if you happen to be a meat-eater. But there are also roaming tribes of mutant undead cannibals who hunt at night. You can have one weapon of your choice, three books and one luxury item...what do you do?
My weapon of choice would be my Makarov as long as I somehow have unlimited ammunition. My three books of choice would be “The Cure” by Tania Hagan, “Sabriel” by Garth Nix, and “1984” by George Orwell. My luxury item would have to be my laptop if there is some way for me to have electricity. I just can’t live if I can’t write.
20. What would you like fans and potential fans to know about you as a person?
So many things, but one in particular. I say this to my girlfriends a lot, especially those that are struggling. I’ve been there. I’ve dealt with those that didn’t believe in me, took me for granted, or have done me wrong. Also, unfaithful partners and emotionally abusive ones, etc. I tell them “Be your own hero.” Why do I say this? Because, sometimes, you have to. No one else is going to fight for your life but you. This is one reason I write strong female leads in my work and put them in the situations that I do. So they can save themselves, teaching young girls and women everywhere that we are fully capable. “Be your own hero.”
If you would like to know more about Kindra and the awesome books from Burning Willow Press, please check out her info!
Website: www.ksowderauthor.com
FB: www.facebook.com/kmkinnaman
Twitter: www.facebook.com/KindraKinnaman
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ksowderauthor
http://www.burningwillowpressllc.com/