Ask the Author: Kimbra Swain
Answered Questions (6)
Kimbra Swain
I've had over 30 years of stories floating around in my head. I get inspiration from real life stories around me. I try to avoid reading books in my own genre to make my stories genuine with little to no crossover with other books.
Kimbra Swain
Just do it. And after you do, if you want to publish, do it right. Put effort into covers, blurbs, and editors! Edit, edit, edit.
Kimbra Swain
Getting to see a story that's floating around in my head manifest on the page, then having others read it. Good or bad, I love knowing that my words evoke emotions in others.
Kimbra Swain
The idea started with Abigail, one of my main characters. I've seen so much lately about the female type in fantasy books. For many years, the female type centered around being the damsel in distress. At some point, there was a push back. These wonderful kick-butt female characters emerged that were the polar opposite of the damsels.
With Abigail, I wanted to do two things. One, I wanted to find the middle ground. I wanted her to be formidable on her own, but need help. That's when I created my other main character, Tadeas. His natural instincts are to protect humans and her, but he fears his gifts. Secondly, I wanted Abigail to be as real as possible. I wanted her to be damaged and flawed. I wanted her to make bad decisions. I wanted her to run off at the mouth, and regret it later. I wanted her to misjudge situations and scramble to repair the damage that she's caused.
Then, I wanted them to both be put into a situation where they had to face those flaws and fears. The book came out of my characters. The series will always focus on the characters no matter what deadly situations they find themselves in the middle of in the future.
With Abigail, I wanted to do two things. One, I wanted to find the middle ground. I wanted her to be formidable on her own, but need help. That's when I created my other main character, Tadeas. His natural instincts are to protect humans and her, but he fears his gifts. Secondly, I wanted Abigail to be as real as possible. I wanted her to be damaged and flawed. I wanted her to make bad decisions. I wanted her to run off at the mouth, and regret it later. I wanted her to misjudge situations and scramble to repair the damage that she's caused.
Then, I wanted them to both be put into a situation where they had to face those flaws and fears. The book came out of my characters. The series will always focus on the characters no matter what deadly situations they find themselves in the middle of in the future.
Kimbra Swain
I always think of the best ideas when it's impossible to write then down. If I get stuck on a part, I take a drive in the car or take a long bath. Both of those are excellent as inopportune times to write down ideas. They surely come when I least expect.
Kimbra Swain
I am currently over 100k words into Book 2 of the Path to Redemption Series. It will be titled Intuition. I hope to have it complete by November. Also I have a little more than half done on a novella. It is a historical story that happens prior to the events in Book 1, but must be read after Book 1 involving Abigail Davenport and her former partner Lincoln.
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