Writing
What would you say is your most unusual writing quirk?
"I need complete silence when I write! Some people like music, but I find it distracting."
What is your favorite genre to read and why? What are your favorite books?
"It varies. It used to be YA romance, now I’m reading mostly YA fantasy. For favorite books, anything by Karen McManus is a must read for me. I love The Grace Year by Kim Leggett, Legendborn by Tracey Deonn, Daughter of Smoke and Bone series by Laini Taylor."
When did you start writing? What inspired you to start writing?
"My earliest memory of writing was at the age of 10 when we were assigned to rewrite a fairy tale. I chose Little Red Riding Hood, telling the story from the perspective of the wolf. My teachers seemed to like the story, reading it at assemblies and having a copy printed for the school library."
"My inspiration for writing is mainly to calm my mind. Stories build, characters form, demanding to have their stories told. Writing is a catharsis for me."
How do you handle writers block?
"I walk away from the project for a while. I read, watch movies, TV. Absorb other forms of media like a sponge, and eventually the block clears."
What is your writing routine?
"I mostly write in the evenings, escaping to my bedroom for some quiet. While I do have a traditional desk area to write, I find my creativity flows better while sitting on my bed."
Where do you get your ideas for books?
"Sometimes it’s the title first. Or a general concept. Or a character. Even a single line. Every story I’ve written was inspired by something different. My debut novel, Our Vengeful Souls, was inspired by a meme I saw online of the sea witch and sea king, insinuating there was history there which caused the actions of the Little Mermaid story. I decided to write that concept and see what it could become."
What have you learned in your writing journey?
"Patience is a virtue, even if it isn’t something I have a lot of. Everything with writing and publishing moves s-o s-l-o-w-l-y, you have to just breathe, and work on something else while you wait. Build a good support group of friends, beta readers and CPs are worth their weight in gold."
"I need complete silence when I write! Some people like music, but I find it distracting."
What is your favorite genre to read and why? What are your favorite books?
"It varies. It used to be YA romance, now I’m reading mostly YA fantasy. For favorite books, anything by Karen McManus is a must read for me. I love The Grace Year by Kim Leggett, Legendborn by Tracey Deonn, Daughter of Smoke and Bone series by Laini Taylor."
When did you start writing? What inspired you to start writing?
"My earliest memory of writing was at the age of 10 when we were assigned to rewrite a fairy tale. I chose Little Red Riding Hood, telling the story from the perspective of the wolf. My teachers seemed to like the story, reading it at assemblies and having a copy printed for the school library."
"My inspiration for writing is mainly to calm my mind. Stories build, characters form, demanding to have their stories told. Writing is a catharsis for me."
How do you handle writers block?
"I walk away from the project for a while. I read, watch movies, TV. Absorb other forms of media like a sponge, and eventually the block clears."
What is your writing routine?
"I mostly write in the evenings, escaping to my bedroom for some quiet. While I do have a traditional desk area to write, I find my creativity flows better while sitting on my bed."
Where do you get your ideas for books?
"Sometimes it’s the title first. Or a general concept. Or a character. Even a single line. Every story I’ve written was inspired by something different. My debut novel, Our Vengeful Souls, was inspired by a meme I saw online of the sea witch and sea king, insinuating there was history there which caused the actions of the Little Mermaid story. I decided to write that concept and see what it could become."
What have you learned in your writing journey?
"Patience is a virtue, even if it isn’t something I have a lot of. Everything with writing and publishing moves s-o s-l-o-w-l-y, you have to just breathe, and work on something else while you wait. Build a good support group of friends, beta readers and CPs are worth their weight in gold."
Personal
How many tattoos do you have?
"8, but I am sure I will get more. They're addictive!"
What is your favorite tattoo?
"A watercolor book tattoo on the back of my right leg."
What is your favorite place you've travelled to?
"That's a tough one! Maybe Prague. It was so beautiful, like stepping back in time. But Paris, Greece and Hawaii are also amazing."
What's your favorite color?
"Blue!"
"8, but I am sure I will get more. They're addictive!"
What is your favorite tattoo?
"A watercolor book tattoo on the back of my right leg."
What is your favorite place you've travelled to?
"That's a tough one! Maybe Prague. It was so beautiful, like stepping back in time. But Paris, Greece and Hawaii are also amazing."
What's your favorite color?
"Blue!"
© 2023 by Kristi McManus. All rights reserved.
