KC Dyer
When did you know that you wanted to be a writer? How did you start?
Hmm. I started by writing freelance, and then I wrote for a few local newspapers, and then I began producing a local paper myself, so I had a good grounding in getting words on paper before I began writing novels. But I had secretly been writing stories for a long time before that.
What genre(s) do you write in? What is it that you love about them?
I write for adults and teens. I write magical stories filled with time travel, and contemporary stories laden with failed romance. Mostly I write adventure stories of the sort that I like to read.
What inspires your ideas? How do you come up with them?
I never have a problem finding ideas. They come to me everywhere. The idea for FINDING FRASER came to me in the shower. The idea for MS ZEPHYR’S NOTEBOOK came to me in a hospital waiting room. The key is to always have a notebook handy to jot ‘em down. [I wrote the outline for Ms Z on the inside of an empty kleenex box, since I had come to the hospital without my notebook. Use what’s on hand!]
You’ve mentioned at various writing events that you are working on a new Young Adult series that sounds really exciting! Can you talk about the premise and inspiration?
Yep. This series is called ‘The Blackthorn Books’, and is an epic story about a battle between five families for dominion over time itself. The first book, A CLOCKWORK CODEX has a kind of a Scottish steampunk ethos. I got the idea one night in February of 2006, when I was walking the dark streets of old Edinburgh with a writer friend.
You recently released your first indie book: an adult novel titled Finding Fraser. Congratulations on its success! Would you mind sharing a bit about that experience so far?
It’s been SO. MUCH. FUN. My first bestseller – number one in Romantic Comedy on Amazon. Been a ton of work, too, but worth it. It’s so cool chatting with people around the world who have loved Emma and her adventures. It’s been selling like mad in places like Australia. Tomorrow I’ll be talking by Skype to a book club in Chicago, which is awesome, because the story starts there.
That is awesome! Congrats! So tell us then, what does a typical writing day look like for you/what is your process?
Hahahaha. I have no idea. I do my best to put my butt in the chair and write, but sometimes, you know, life gets in the way. FINDING FRASER has been tough for me that way, because I’ve been so busy promoting it. There’s all different parts to the life of a writer, but sitting alone in a chair, staring out the window and then typing madly as the words come is pretty much the biggest part of it.
Who are some of your favorite authors? Why?
I love so many writers, it’s gross. Flagrantly polygamous on that front. This year, my fave books have been BLACKBIRDS by Chuck Wendig and MR. PENUMBRA’S 24 HOUR BOOKSTORE by Robin Sloane. Two more divergent books you could not imagine. And my TBR pile is teetering from books I picked up at the Surrey International Writers’ Conference this year that I am just DYING to read. I have titles by Hallie Ephron, Vicki Pettersson, Liza Palmer, Jasper Fforde, Sam Sykes. So many…
What advice do you have for aspiring writers about the craft of writing?
Just do it. Sit down and write every day, if you can. And read as much and as widely as you can. Be inspired by brilliant storytelling. It can’t hurt!
What about the process of trying to get published?
Go to the Surrey International Writers’ Conference in October every year. They will teach you all you need to know! Siwc.ca
Anything else you would like to add or talk about?
Nope. Except I am always happy to answer questions about my books or writing. You can reach me through my websites!
Thank you so much KC! Where can people find out more about you and your books?
Website: www.kcdyer.com and www.FindingFraser.com
Online at: @kcdyer on twitter, kc dyer on Facebook, and kc.dyer on Instagram.