Ask the Author: Kalen Vaughan Johnson
Answered Questions (5)
Kalen Vaughan Johnson
When I began ROBBING THE PILLARS, Charlotte was my protagonist. To say she possessed nerves of steel and the grit to handle any situation, wasn't enough for me. I wanted to know why. What influenced her? - how did she maneuver within the confines of her station? I had this image of her father - his strength, his sense of justice, his fight. What impact did he have on her? I started writing James MacLaren. By the time I figured out his back story and put him into place, I fell totally in love with him and the whole cast that came with him -- a working class hero against the establishment story, set in post gold rush California. I loved this period of history - California was created from scratch, and clawed their way to statehood far quicker than many of the surrounding territories. The politics of the day make even our last election look tame. Corporate greed vs. vigilante justice was a common theme. The reader sees Charlotte grow up in this book, watches her unique relationship with her father, and sets her on a course for her own explorations into the west.
Kalen Vaughan Johnson
The manuscript for Book Two of The Empire Barons series is near completion and Book Three is outlined. One reader expressed the hope that Book Two would pick up exactly where Robbing the Pillars ended. I'm happy to confirm that it does, and hold on to your hats, because its going to be a fast and furious read! I have recently completed a children's book (in English and Creole) for the school library in Haiti. It is the testimony of a Haitian man's dream and journey to a better life in his community through building schools and children's homes. We are currently awaiting the completion of the artwork.
Kalen Vaughan Johnson
Read, read, read! I think most writers are voracious readers. I read a lot of history and biographies, especially when I'm researching a time period. Historical fiction has always been my favorite, but I also like a good thriller or mystery. And nothing beats escaping the world with an author whose prose takes your breath away.
Also important - face your keyboard and begin! Writing is a complicated process, and it takes patience and diligence to find your voice. There is so much out there on HOW to write - books, blogs, groups. All are good, but I would caution an aspiring writer to be selective. Don't let yourself become bogged down with too many opinions. Trying to follow too many sources eats all your creative time. Craft comes with practice and reflection. (And lots of rewrites!)
Also important - face your keyboard and begin! Writing is a complicated process, and it takes patience and diligence to find your voice. There is so much out there on HOW to write - books, blogs, groups. All are good, but I would caution an aspiring writer to be selective. Don't let yourself become bogged down with too many opinions. Trying to follow too many sources eats all your creative time. Craft comes with practice and reflection. (And lots of rewrites!)
Kalen Vaughan Johnson
All the fascinating people you meet .... at least in your mind! There's nothing quite like exploring a character and discovering personalities and emotions. You develop them and watch interactions with other characters, the circumstances of their setting and time period. It's fun to think about, "What would I do in those circumstances? Would I handle what was thrown at me differently than my characters?" There's an excitement to the world you build inside your head. It grows to a whole new level when you get it on a page. I also love how much I learn while researching. Finding surprises in history never gets dull.
Kalen Vaughan Johnson
I don't believe in writer's block. There are not good days and bad days, but there is always a place to jump in and create. If nothing is flowing from the plot, or I'm overwhelmed with the number of scenarios I'm juggling and can't quite find the threads to tie them together, I research that day. Sometimes I start a conversation. If there's an upcoming scene, what's the outcome of the conversation between characters? Where is their interaction leading the story? Who has the definitive moment? What did they say to win an argument? So then, how did the rest of that conversation go? Sometimes I work on the mood of a setting. Pull in anything from around you to get a sense of time and place, even if it's only the sound of leaves rustling on tree at the end of summer - start there and describe the feel of the setting. Often, a character finds their way into that place. The key is to put something, anything, on the page. You can massage it later.
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