Ask the Author: Kate Whitaker
Answered Questions (7)
Kate Whitaker
I have always loved Paul Atreides and Chani from Dune. First off, their relationship takes place over years. They have time to grow and mature with each other.
Secondly, is the amount of respect between the two. Paul might be smarter and a better fighter, but that doesn't make Chani stupid or weak. Paul respects her abilities on both fronts, as well her more mundane characteristics.
Conversely, Chani is never in awe of her man. Paul might be a figure of legend and Emporer, but he's still her husband and human. A fact that she never forgets, even while helping him fulfill prophecy.
Ultimately, it's always the little moments of peace that they give each other that won me over. Paul only being able to mourn their child when Chani is near, or Chani calling up images of Paul when she has to do something difficult.
Even more refreshing, there is no love triangle, no spoiler, no romantic false lead. They got to meet, fall in love, get married, and have children without someone else trying to interfere out of "love". (Political intrigue... well, that's another story...)
Secondly, is the amount of respect between the two. Paul might be smarter and a better fighter, but that doesn't make Chani stupid or weak. Paul respects her abilities on both fronts, as well her more mundane characteristics.
Conversely, Chani is never in awe of her man. Paul might be a figure of legend and Emporer, but he's still her husband and human. A fact that she never forgets, even while helping him fulfill prophecy.
Ultimately, it's always the little moments of peace that they give each other that won me over. Paul only being able to mourn their child when Chani is near, or Chani calling up images of Paul when she has to do something difficult.
Even more refreshing, there is no love triangle, no spoiler, no romantic false lead. They got to meet, fall in love, get married, and have children without someone else trying to interfere out of "love". (Political intrigue... well, that's another story...)
Kate Whitaker
Just write. Don't worry about the "rules" or what's marketable. Just get the words on paper.
Kate Whitaker
Sometimes it's a picture or a quote. Sometimes a whole plot just falls out of my brain.
Kate Whitaker
Insomnia, booze, and tears.
Kate Whitaker
Nobody worried about the voices in your head when you write down their adventures!
Kate Whitaker
I finished the rough draft of the second series, Monsters of Pittsburgh. My betas are currently destroying my assumptions about it.
While my ego is being put in check, I'm drafting a YA trilogy about Jeff, the hedge doctor from the Uncommon Animals series.
While my ego is being put in check, I'm drafting a YA trilogy about Jeff, the hedge doctor from the Uncommon Animals series.
Kate Whitaker
Basically it was a whim. A beta reader asked me about what the characters were up to once Uncommon Animals wrapped up, and once I got to thinking on it the stories just flowed.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more