Ask the Author: Jennifer Kibble
Answered Questions (12)
Jennifer Kibble
I have a list of books on my kindle app that I need to read. Most are from fellow indie authors.
Jennifer Kibble
Most of the time I write with music playing in my ears. I try to find music to match the scene that I am writing.
Jennifer Kibble
For my first book, Phoenix Element: Normality Twisted, I was picked up by an indie publisher called Black Rose Writing. For my second book, Phoenix Element: Mages of Vane, I'm planning on publishing it on me own. I might end up going with Lulu.com but I am looking into other self-publish places.
Jennifer Kibble
I love writing in my notebook (with actual paper). Most of my first drafts are on paper. I then use Word on my computer to transfer what I have written and to work on final drafts.
Jennifer Kibble
Off and on since 1991.
Jennifer Kibble
Read and read it over and over again. But the best way is to have other people read your work. This I have learned the hard way.
Jennifer Kibble
Part time, sadly. Writing doesn't pay the bills, not by the long shot, but I enjoy it. I currently have a full time job and I run a geek blog (which doesn't pay at all).
Jennifer Kibble
I was in the fifth grade and my teacher told us to buy a composition book (which I still have) and each week we had to write a short story. I was hooked. I would spend my downtime in class on a brown bean back writing in my composition book. Back then the characters were my friends and classmates.
I didn't get back into writing until the eighth grade, which was two years later. I was moved up from 6th to 7th during the middle of the school year (this was due in part because my mother felt I wasn't ready and made me take two years of kindergarten). Anyway, the middle school that I went to (at the time) was a bit rowdy and the teachers had a hard time getting lessons across. I'm not sure what started it but I asked my english teacher if I could write stories for a grade and she said yes. In retrospect, I wish I had learned more while in middle school, but I was happy to be writing. I was given a word processor to do my work on (which I also still have, the writings, not the word processor). I created a series, which in turn helped me to create the Phoenix Element series.
Writing back then was a way for me to escape my situation and gave me something constructive to do.
I wrote a little bit in high school but I was too busy with the swim team, drama club, and other activities. Did did write often during the summer, when I wasn't at work.
Fully out of high school and a few years later, I joined a message board. They had a roleplaying forum that I took part of, which also helped shape my current series.
I was writing off and on but nothing serious. It wasn't until I was at Cape Canaveral for the final shuttle launch for Discovery. I was part of the NASA tweet-up, a group picked from Twitter to watch the launch at the countdown clock and to go to areas where the public doesn't normally go. I was standing in the Saturn V center when they were closed and it hit me...I should start writing again. At that point, I wanted to write for myself. I guess being around so much history and wonder, it kickstarted something in me.
Not long after I told myself to write for other people and not just for myself. That I should try to get it published. Which did happen and I am not stopping there. I know I have a lot to learn and hopefully I can improve my craft the more that I write.
I didn't get back into writing until the eighth grade, which was two years later. I was moved up from 6th to 7th during the middle of the school year (this was due in part because my mother felt I wasn't ready and made me take two years of kindergarten). Anyway, the middle school that I went to (at the time) was a bit rowdy and the teachers had a hard time getting lessons across. I'm not sure what started it but I asked my english teacher if I could write stories for a grade and she said yes. In retrospect, I wish I had learned more while in middle school, but I was happy to be writing. I was given a word processor to do my work on (which I also still have, the writings, not the word processor). I created a series, which in turn helped me to create the Phoenix Element series.
Writing back then was a way for me to escape my situation and gave me something constructive to do.
I wrote a little bit in high school but I was too busy with the swim team, drama club, and other activities. Did did write often during the summer, when I wasn't at work.
Fully out of high school and a few years later, I joined a message board. They had a roleplaying forum that I took part of, which also helped shape my current series.
I was writing off and on but nothing serious. It wasn't until I was at Cape Canaveral for the final shuttle launch for Discovery. I was part of the NASA tweet-up, a group picked from Twitter to watch the launch at the countdown clock and to go to areas where the public doesn't normally go. I was standing in the Saturn V center when they were closed and it hit me...I should start writing again. At that point, I wanted to write for myself. I guess being around so much history and wonder, it kickstarted something in me.
Not long after I told myself to write for other people and not just for myself. That I should try to get it published. Which did happen and I am not stopping there. I know I have a lot to learn and hopefully I can improve my craft the more that I write.
Jennifer Kibble
Most of my ideas come from my dreams. Since I was a child I would have reoccurring dreams, sometimes with the same characters. I also grab inspiration from video games, books, and various TV shows and movies.
Jennifer Kibble
Scream! But honestly, you can't force yourself to write. If you're having trouble, trying doing something else that is creative. Or get away in a book that you are reading or listen to music. For me, I take a breather and then I try to think about the scene that I am stuck on. Usually I'll end up dreaming how it should play out. I've woken up in the middle of the night just to jot down notes from the dream.
Jennifer Kibble
Don't give up. I know this is easier said than done, but it is truth. There will be times when you want to give up and you know what, take a break but never give up.
Don't be shy or worried about allowing others to read your drafts. Pick a few people and have them read your work. Allow them to give constructive feedback.
Read books in the same genre that you are writing for. This can help with ideas and give you an understand on who you are writing for.
Don't be shy or worried about allowing others to read your drafts. Pick a few people and have them read your work. Allow them to give constructive feedback.
Read books in the same genre that you are writing for. This can help with ideas and give you an understand on who you are writing for.
Jennifer Kibble
I've been working on the second book in the Phoenix Element series. The title is called Mages of Vane. We find our main character attending a magical school on another planet. Right now I'm reading through Mages of Vane before sending it to a few select people to read over. The second book is still in the early stages but I hope to have it out by the end of the year.
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