Fantasy Authors Interview

Meet Kamila

With an endless love for games, her imagination can run wild and create amazingly creative works of literature. Please give a round of applause to  axgirl13.

What's your name and tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Kamila, and I’m Polish, although for over six years I have lived in the UK. Reading is my favourite thing in the world, and it has always been this way. When I was a kid, I used to read my favourite books several times, and in my mind, I was adding my own characters into the plot to make it more entertaining. I’m a huge nerd, and I love video games, board games and comics.

What's your writing process?

All my stories usually start with a spark of inspiration. It can be a song, a scene in the movie or a passage in a book. From there, my mind keeps working on it in the background – like when I cook, or clean or do some mundane tasks that don’t require thinking. My imagination runs wild. When I write down the idea, I usually already have the characters, basic plot and ending. From there, I work on expanding the characters, exploring their motivations, aspirations and backgrounds and then move to plot the events that lead to the desired ending.

How do you deal with writer's block?

I have a few ways of dealing with it. Usually, taking some time off writing and focusing on other things in life helps.

When writing on schedule (like NaNoWriMo), I usually push through and write anyway. It may not be easy to start, but I found that when I start writing, I slowly get back to the regular writing rhythm.

If I’m in a tricky spot, when I have no idea how to proceed with the story to get where I want to, I sit down and draw a sort of mind map, starting from the point where I finished and listing all possible ways that the story can go from there. That gives me a perspective of what can be done and which solutions are the most promising.

What's the hardest scene to write for any of your stories?

I always have problems with writing romantic scenes. I’m not a romance reader. I usually go for fantasy, sci-fi, or thrillers, where romance is typically secondary for the plot. So I always feel that whatever I write sound sappy and cheesy.

Is there a book that is featured in our reading list that is your favorite?

I’m reading The Dragon’s Scale by @Cross-Warrior, and I love it!

Define Fantasy in your own words?

Fantasy is a genre that is limited only by our imagination. I love it because there is no wrong and right here, and anything is possible. It’s a perfect escape from often dull reality.

What's your favorite Fantasy book on Wattpad?

I adore The Dark Dark Wood by @LadyInTower, and also Witch, Wolf, Woods by @KatieKeridan

What Fantasy sub-genre is easier for you to write?

I like high fantasy with the original worlds and epic plots involving the threats to the whole kingdoms, dark forces rising and so on, with courageous heroes and despicable villains. I love big battles and adventures full of action and wonders.

 Are you a planner or a pantser?

I’m more planner than pantser. I tried freewriting once without thinking and planning, and at a certain point, I lost interest in the project because I didn’t know where the story was going. But I don’t outline my stories in loads of detail. I have a basic skeletal plan and then fill the blanks while writing.

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

Introvert

Hobbies?

Reading, board games, videogames

Pet peeves?

Rude people

Most used app?

Wattpad and Instagram

What TV shows are you obsessed with right now?

The Witcher, Wheel of Time, The Expanse

What motivates you to work hard?

I was taught from childhood that you must work hard if you want to achieve something, and if you put a lot of effort into something, it will always pay out eventually. So, the best motivators for me are my goals, the things I’d like to achieve. I know if I ever want to get published, I need to write and write and write some more. That’s motivation enough for me.

Who's your biggest hero?

I don’t have one big hero, but I have several role models I always look up to. I always admired Stephen King, especially after reading that when he was a kid, his teacher told him that he could be a great writer if only he ceased to write those ridiculous horror stories. But he didn’t let that kind of criticism hold him back, and it’s precisely those ridiculous novels that made him into the bestselling author he is today.

What's your greatest fear?

That something bad would happen to my family, and I would have no way of helping them.

Spring or Autumn?

Spring, I love when the whole world is coming back to life after winter, and the temperature is just perfect, not too hot and not too cold.

Thanksgiving or Christmas?

Christmas, I don’t celebrate Thanksgiving.

Can you tell us what you're currently writing?

Currently, I’m editing the sequel to Till Death Do Us Part, called Heroes Never Die. I wrote it during NaNoWriMo in November, so it needs some more work with edits, expanding some chapters and adding additional scenes to eliminate all the plot holes. But I’ll be slowly updating it to Wattpad as I go. 

And there you have it from axgirl13. Thank you very much for your time spent on this interview. Catch us next time as we bring on another amazing Fantasy author. Till then, have a magical week ahead.