Ask the Author: Tiffany A. Drake
Answered Questions (7)
Tiffany A. Drake
Easiest question ever!! I'd go to Kalarni, & I'd help Katrina. I'd give her a hug, & tell her to not be frightened, that I'm always there for her.
But I already do that almost every day anyway ;).
But I already do that almost every day anyway ;).
Tiffany A. Drake
I rely on sounds to inspire my writing, whether it be music or natural soundscapes. For example, during "Awakening" my characters spent some time in a rainforest, so I relied upon YouTube clips of rain & rainforest environments to help immerse myself. I also have a playlist of songs dedicated to motivating myself, with lyrics that boost my mood and spirit, & which I often listen to before I start writing.
Recently, I’ve begun creating Spotify playlists full of songs, primarily lyric free, that help evoke the feelings of books I’m writing. These help encourage my creativity, & keep me from distractions. They’re also something I’ll be sharing with readers to connect with them & introduce them to new texts.
Recently, I’ve begun creating Spotify playlists full of songs, primarily lyric free, that help evoke the feelings of books I’m writing. These help encourage my creativity, & keep me from distractions. They’re also something I’ll be sharing with readers to connect with them & introduce them to new texts.
Tiffany A. Drake
The best thing is Kalarni itself. When I think about Kalarni, I feel like I’m an explorer in a new land. I don’t feel as though I’m creating this place or these stories, I feel like they’re being shared with me. Kalarni is such an incredible place, with the most astounding inhabitants living in it. It’s such a privilege to see and sense it within my mind, and within my heart too. I can’t explain how privileged I feel to have this sense of such a deep connection to that world and its people. It’s a genuine, deep love.
Tiffany A. Drake
The initial stages of my thinking of "Awakening" actually came while I was watching my husband play "Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey" which is funny, seeing as there isn’t any "Assassin’s Creed" influence in the story, other than perhaps my lead protagonists name. The story just ‘fell’ into my head, I suppose.
I was trying to write a non-fiction book at the time about a personal journey I was on – finding the ability to come to terms with my inner fears, and the courage to not let them hold me back. I wasn’t doing too well, however, and had certainly started questioning if signing a contract with my publisher was the best idea after all. But then the idea of a fictional world came to my mind, with a young woman named Katrina who had to confront her inner demons in order to save herself & those she loved.
Personally, I’m a "Fallout" fan, which definitely inspired the backdrop of Awakening. I’m fascinated by ideas of post-apocalyptic worlds, and questions like, “What happens after the world ends?”. People having to rebuild their lives, having to stop themselves repeating the mistakes of the past – these are things we live with every day, albeit on a smaller scale.
To me, post-apocalyptic fiction isn’t just about nuclear warfare or global disasters – as imperative as those topics are for us to consider. The comet or bomb that falls may not be literal; the world that ends may not be an entire planet. Every day bombs fall – literally & metaphorically. Every day there are people who feel like their world is ending, or has ended, & they now must rebuild while trying to avoid the mistakes or catastrophes of the past. And all the while, the fear they feel within is as real as the person standing next to them.
Fortunately for me, my publisher loved it, and thus I became a fiction author. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
I was trying to write a non-fiction book at the time about a personal journey I was on – finding the ability to come to terms with my inner fears, and the courage to not let them hold me back. I wasn’t doing too well, however, and had certainly started questioning if signing a contract with my publisher was the best idea after all. But then the idea of a fictional world came to my mind, with a young woman named Katrina who had to confront her inner demons in order to save herself & those she loved.
Personally, I’m a "Fallout" fan, which definitely inspired the backdrop of Awakening. I’m fascinated by ideas of post-apocalyptic worlds, and questions like, “What happens after the world ends?”. People having to rebuild their lives, having to stop themselves repeating the mistakes of the past – these are things we live with every day, albeit on a smaller scale.
To me, post-apocalyptic fiction isn’t just about nuclear warfare or global disasters – as imperative as those topics are for us to consider. The comet or bomb that falls may not be literal; the world that ends may not be an entire planet. Every day bombs fall – literally & metaphorically. Every day there are people who feel like their world is ending, or has ended, & they now must rebuild while trying to avoid the mistakes or catastrophes of the past. And all the while, the fear they feel within is as real as the person standing next to them.
Fortunately for me, my publisher loved it, and thus I became a fiction author. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Tiffany A. Drake
- Do it your way & never let the naysayers discourage you. No one but you has your 'voice', & I believe we've all been given our distinct voices for a reason. Only you can speak your message your way.
- It can be useful to keep writing implements or recording devices handy for when inspiration hits. Be open to it coming at any time & in any way, because it may not come how you expect it. Just trust that it will.
- Write down/record anything that comes to mind, no matter how ridiculous it might seem at the time. Creativity is an organic, flowing thing, so the more you allow it to simply flow, the easier writing will become.
- Take the time to just 'be'. Let you mind wander. If it wanders into negativity, don't criticise yourself for that, just shake it off & try again. Call it 'meditation', 'daydreaming', it really doesn't matter. It's simply about letting your mind play.
- Some people say, "Read a lot in your genre". If that works for you, do it. It doesn't work for me, & that doesn't make me any less a writer than someone who reads their genre constantly. I deliberately avoid reading works in my genres, because I'm worried my voice will stop sounding like my own. I like learning though, so I will frequently immerse myself in a non-fiction book/movie/podcast, often finding inspiration within that.
- It can be useful to keep writing implements or recording devices handy for when inspiration hits. Be open to it coming at any time & in any way, because it may not come how you expect it. Just trust that it will.
- Write down/record anything that comes to mind, no matter how ridiculous it might seem at the time. Creativity is an organic, flowing thing, so the more you allow it to simply flow, the easier writing will become.
- Take the time to just 'be'. Let you mind wander. If it wanders into negativity, don't criticise yourself for that, just shake it off & try again. Call it 'meditation', 'daydreaming', it really doesn't matter. It's simply about letting your mind play.
- Some people say, "Read a lot in your genre". If that works for you, do it. It doesn't work for me, & that doesn't make me any less a writer than someone who reads their genre constantly. I deliberately avoid reading works in my genres, because I'm worried my voice will stop sounding like my own. I like learning though, so I will frequently immerse myself in a non-fiction book/movie/podcast, often finding inspiration within that.
Tiffany A. Drake
When writer's block hits, I remove myself from my laptop (where I write), & immerse myself in other things. This can be family time, listening to music, getting out in nature, playing video games - anything that can alleviate my mind. The story is still there, locked in the back of my mind, ticking away and developing, so I keep a notebook and pencil handy for when inspiration hits.
Writer's block can be scary. For me, it sparks & fuels all sorts of self doubts that I have; which, as an anxiety sufferer, is a lot! But it's important for me to try to ignore those inner voices of fear and doubt, otherwise they can drown out the voice of inspiration. This is why I rely upon distraction to get me through.
Writer's block can be scary. For me, it sparks & fuels all sorts of self doubts that I have; which, as an anxiety sufferer, is a lot! But it's important for me to try to ignore those inner voices of fear and doubt, otherwise they can drown out the voice of inspiration. This is why I rely upon distraction to get me through.
Tiffany A. Drake
I'm currently working on two books.
One is the first book in my new novella series, 'Stories From Kalarni'. This series is dedicated to exploring what life was like for the survivors of Carta during the years following impact. This should be out later this year (2020).
I'm also working on Book 2 of 'The Kalarni Series', picking up where we end in 'Awakening'. The release date for that is TBA.
One is the first book in my new novella series, 'Stories From Kalarni'. This series is dedicated to exploring what life was like for the survivors of Carta during the years following impact. This should be out later this year (2020).
I'm also working on Book 2 of 'The Kalarni Series', picking up where we end in 'Awakening'. The release date for that is TBA.
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