Ask the Author: Kendra E. Ardnek
Answered Questions (22)
Kendra E. Ardnek
If you look at my bookshelves, it's clearly Cinderella. *coughs* Asking me to play favorites amongst fairy tales is like asking me to pick a favorite child. Yes, there are some that I spoil, and some that I haven't given nearly enough love yet, but I love fairy tales for their variety and connections, so there's no single fairy tale that really wins out in my mind.
Though, fun fact, I asked Copilot what my favorite fairy tale was, and it said it was Beauty and the Beast. Which is not true, but amused me.
Though, fun fact, I asked Copilot what my favorite fairy tale was, and it said it was Beauty and the Beast. Which is not true, but amused me.
Kendra E. Ardnek
I don't have *a* favorite, but I do have a rotation of obscure tales that I absolutely adore and think need more love, some of which I have been able to sneak into my books, including Fairer-than-a-Fairy, The Crow, The Crystal Coffin, Casperl and the Princess ... amongst others...
Kendra E. Ardnek
I'm not a huge music listener when I'm writing, but I actually do have a whole playlist for Rizkaland! Feel free to check it out on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5A5...
Kendra E. Ardnek
Several, in fact! I will be releasing five retellings of Beauty and the Beast, and I just put up for preorder two Little Mermaids for September. And something super exciting for December that I can't really talk about yet but I can't wait to share!
Kendra E. Ardnek
I actually just finished the outline for The Cost of a Queen, and I'm hoping to release it and The Song of a Dragon in 2025. I have been playing with a more direct sequel called The Edge of a Knife, with Nadilynn, Jerolin, and Zinnia as the POV's, but it's not set in stone yet.
So, yes, sequels are planned, I just am trying to get out some shorter, more lucrative books out first.
So, yes, sequels are planned, I just am trying to get out some shorter, more lucrative books out first.
Kendra E. Ardnek
My "home state" is complicated, 'cause I lived my first six years in the shadow of Pike's Peak in Colorado, and then my parents moved to East Texas and I refused to consider Texas my home state until I was twelve. (ie, had lived half my life here), but I'm now 27 and still haven't moved from the Piney Wood, so ... fair enough.
There's not a lot that I can strictly point to and say "I write this way because I live in Texas", but the Earth portions of both The Ankulen and Lady Dragon, Tela Du are set in a vague approximation of East Texas, (and there's a reason that Andrew lives in Colorado), and I, in general, write a lot of forests inspired by the woods I grew up exploring. (complete with pricker vines.)
My particular area is a veritable mixing pot (and, honestly, so was Colorado Springs, being a military town), so that's a main reason that I try to write similar casts, especially if I have an urban setting.
I also occasionally have a colloquialism slip into my writing; I can't think of any off the top of my head, but I've occasionally had betas question what I mean by a phrase that is something I use all the time IRL.
And I am on the edge of the Bible belt, so yes, I'm writing Christian Fantasy.
There's not a lot that I can strictly point to and say "I write this way because I live in Texas", but the Earth portions of both The Ankulen and Lady Dragon, Tela Du are set in a vague approximation of East Texas, (and there's a reason that Andrew lives in Colorado), and I, in general, write a lot of forests inspired by the woods I grew up exploring. (complete with pricker vines.)
My particular area is a veritable mixing pot (and, honestly, so was Colorado Springs, being a military town), so that's a main reason that I try to write similar casts, especially if I have an urban setting.
I also occasionally have a colloquialism slip into my writing; I can't think of any off the top of my head, but I've occasionally had betas question what I mean by a phrase that is something I use all the time IRL.
And I am on the edge of the Bible belt, so yes, I'm writing Christian Fantasy.
Kendra E. Ardnek
I think the only books I don't recommend starting with are Love and Memory, Do You Take This Quest?, My Kingdom for a Quest, or Hair We Go Again. Rizkaland and Bookania are both *best* read in order, but apart from those four, you probably won't be too lost. (And The Twists of Adventure are all completely stand-alone).
Honestly, pick whichever one sounds most interesting and jump in, though my personal recommendations would be The Worth of a King, The Seven Drawers, Water Princess Fire Prince, The Poison Kiss, Misfortune, The Dancing Princess, or my upcoming release, Rose Petals & Snowflakes. I do also highly recommend The Ankulen to fellow Christian authors and writers, but it's not one that I'll make a blanket recommendation on.
The one wildcard on reading order is The Worth of a King, which is a prequel to the Rizkaland Legends, and I recommend either reading it before WPFP or between LDTD and LaM (which is when I published it). Also, The Woodcutter Quince, while a prequel, is probably best enjoyed after Sew, it's a Quest, in that I wrote it with the understanding that readers would know these characters and I didn't do much in it to establish the world.
Hope this is helpful and I'm so sorry that I didn't see this question sooner. Goodreads has been incredibly weird with my notifications of late.
Honestly, pick whichever one sounds most interesting and jump in, though my personal recommendations would be The Worth of a King, The Seven Drawers, Water Princess Fire Prince, The Poison Kiss, Misfortune, The Dancing Princess, or my upcoming release, Rose Petals & Snowflakes. I do also highly recommend The Ankulen to fellow Christian authors and writers, but it's not one that I'll make a blanket recommendation on.
The one wildcard on reading order is The Worth of a King, which is a prequel to the Rizkaland Legends, and I recommend either reading it before WPFP or between LDTD and LaM (which is when I published it). Also, The Woodcutter Quince, while a prequel, is probably best enjoyed after Sew, it's a Quest, in that I wrote it with the understanding that readers would know these characters and I didn't do much in it to establish the world.
Hope this is helpful and I'm so sorry that I didn't see this question sooner. Goodreads has been incredibly weird with my notifications of late.
Kendra E. Ardnek
Oi, that sounds about how my school year went, every year. I'm actually graduated now *realizes that I REALLY need to update my author bio,* and I don't have my own kids yet to teach. I'd actually recommend going to go talk to my mother: https://eaglenestmom.blogspot.com/
But, I think, the point about school is learning how to learn. Don't get so caught up in the list that you forget about the experience.
But, I think, the point about school is learning how to learn. Don't get so caught up in the list that you forget about the experience.
Kendra E. Ardnek
A blank sheet of paper. A looming deadline.
Kendra E. Ardnek
I go to fictional book worlds all the time. I fight dragons, ride unicorns, save the world. Terrible fun. I'm so glad my mom taught me how to read and write.
Kendra E. Ardnek
Any books that come into my possession and catch my interest. I've given up planning my reading.
Kendra E. Ardnek
Oh, I have a good one - WHO is trespassing in our neighbors' woods? And why are they so viciously accusing my sister? MY SISTER IS TERRIFIED OF WOODS.
Currently, I suspect a werewolf.
Currently, I suspect a werewolf.
Kendra E. Ardnek
Hi Mary! I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed WPFP, and I hope you'll stay tuned for Lady Dragon, Tela Du, which will have no fewer than six Points of View.
Tip #1 - Read a lot of books by a lot of different people to get a feel for many different "voices."
Tip #2 - Listen to a lot of different people talk.
Tip #3 - Know your characters. Dig deep into their lives and find details about them that may never make it into the book, but will bleed into their voice.
Tip #4 - Understand their personalities. Are they thoughtful or emotional? Do they notice details or explore possibilities? Are they introverted or extroverted? Are they schedule-oriented or do they prefer to explore possibilities?
Tip #5 - Try to choose characters who will naturally have distinct voices. I crafted Clara and Andrew to be very different - Clara was intense and competitive, while Andrew was more laid-back and thoughtful.
I hope that helped!
Tip #1 - Read a lot of books by a lot of different people to get a feel for many different "voices."
Tip #2 - Listen to a lot of different people talk.
Tip #3 - Know your characters. Dig deep into their lives and find details about them that may never make it into the book, but will bleed into their voice.
Tip #4 - Understand their personalities. Are they thoughtful or emotional? Do they notice details or explore possibilities? Are they introverted or extroverted? Are they schedule-oriented or do they prefer to explore possibilities?
Tip #5 - Try to choose characters who will naturally have distinct voices. I crafted Clara and Andrew to be very different - Clara was intense and competitive, while Andrew was more laid-back and thoughtful.
I hope that helped!
Kendra E. Ardnek
To be honest, I don't outline, so I don't really have any recommendations. However, I do have a mostly-clear plan in my head as I write, and I know most of the key plot points. It's something of a mindmap, I just ... don't write it down. The few times I have tried, I nearly killed my inspiration. Sometimes, though, I will write out a chapter list ahead of time, particularly in rewrites.
I do recommend experimenting with different methods and finding out what works best for YOU.
I do recommend experimenting with different methods and finding out what works best for YOU.
Kendra E. Ardnek
I have considered it, but I don't have a smartphone, and instagram is best with a smartphone. I'm not much into photography, to be honest.
Kendra E. Ardnek
If you had asked me this question a few years ago, I would have said a girl's, no hesitation. But over the last few years, I've put a lot of study into how a guy's brain works, and sometimes I actually prefer a guy's more focused POV. I'm sure that, since I am a girl, I write girls more accurately, but it really all depends on the story and the character themselves.
Kendra E. Ardnek
I'm always inspired. Unfortunately, inspiration doesn't get books written. I have to physically plant my seat in my chair, shut down all of the distractions (especially pinterest and goodreads) and force myself to write. It's not always easy, but the results are usually worth it.
Kendra E. Ardnek
No, I don't have anything audio yet, unfortunately, though I am working on it. The early stages of working on it, but it's something I'd like to see done within the next year or two.
Kendra E. Ardnek
Getting to tell people what to do. *grins* Even if they're imaginary and they frequently assert the fact that they have minds of their own, it's still fun. I also love building worlds for my characters to explore.
Kendra E. Ardnek
Write. Don't aspire. Write. Sure, your words might be good now, but you'll get better if you just keep writing. Aspiring doesn't get you anywhere. Only writing does.
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