Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Australian and have lived in QLD, SA, NSW and now reside in Perth on the west coast. I grew up reading Enid Blyton, Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, John Marsden, Goosebumps, and many horror/vampire/fantasy books that I hid from my parents and read under the blankets by torchlight. As I got older I became obsessed with both fantasy books and movies. I’d always had an overactive imagination that I assuaged by coming up with my own stories. I discovered Dean Koontz whose books fed my curious mind making me want more. When I was 24 I wrote my first book. Needless to say, it was terrible. I think the story is fine, but my writing was atrocious. Honestly, I wrote the book for fun, and never intended to publish. Bitten by the writing bug, I couldn’t stop writing. I ended up with 3 novels, 2 novellas and several short stories. I found so much joy and meaning in the process that I knew I’d always be a writer.
A few years later the Ebook market grew and publishing platforms for indies became available. After a being thunderstruck with a new book idea last year, I decided to write and publish my first book: Concealed Power (The Healers of Meligna, Book #1). It’s out on Amazon now.
I wrote Concealed Power and realized it would be an epic saga spreading four books. After writing the first instalment, one of my supporting characters, Klawdia, began to speak to me during the day (no not actually speak to me that would be worrying). Her presence became so strong I couldn’t help but write about her, but in smaller instalments as I’d already committed myself to the Healers of Meligna series. The Bear Heart novella is permanently free on Amazon and Book #2 in the Healer Series will be out in August.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
While Bear Heart is my latest book, it’s not my main series and so I’ll speak about Concealed Power. If you want to read more about the inspiration for Bear Heart you can find it on the books Amazon page.
The idea for Concealed Power (The Healers of Meligna Series) came to me while I was at the doctor’s office for my annual check-up. An impression imprinted on my mind, and I realised I wanted to write something controversial, yet still in the genre of Epic Fantasy. I wanted to build a world full of loveable characters, and interesting societies, that when forced together, create conflict and tension based on differences of beliefs, rather than alluding to clichés of good and evil.
I knew I would write this story from a first-person perspective. I’m a very heady/analytical type of person, and have a keen interest in psychology, so I like to bring my readers really close to the main character. I want you to feel my protagonist’s highs and lows. In Concealed Power, when Adenine is perplexed, I want you, my readers, to care as much as she does about finding a resolution. I want your eyes to be glued to the pages until you’ve discovered, through her, the answers to all enigmas.
As I was writing the story I found myself playing games with my readers. When a book lacks swordfight and fire breathing dragons (although you might find aspects of this in the future books in the series), the author must create intrigue and mystery like a Sherlock Holmes or Miss Marple novel. The reader should be guessing ahead, thinking about the future and sorting through the clues to answer the book’s questions.
This series has changed me as a writer. It’s helped me discover my strengths and weaknesses as an author, while constantly challenging my tenacity (I spend a great deal of time scratching my head over the plot).
This story has its own life force that on rare occasion has moved me to tears (especially towards the end of the second book that I’m writing right now). This story wanted to be written and I hope that you get something from reading it.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hah! What’s a normal writing habit? :–)
I recently bought myself a wonderful laptop that has given me freedom to write anywhere I want, but I still prefer sitting on my bed/couch, windows closed to block out suburban racket, ear plugs playing some form of sombre classical/violin music (or Imogen Heap, Muse, Evanescence, Ludovico Euinadi). I write a lot of heartfelt scenes, and the music helps to dunk me into an emotional frame of mind.
I have a steady writer schedule. I get up, have breakfast, shower (I have to make myself do this because it’s so tempting to just get straight into writing) and edit from 8am – 8pm. I have another job I work my own hours and I fit writing around that. I work in 45 minute sprints and allow myself 15 minutes per hour for breaks and doing chores. I have a very free life and my time is my own. Because of this I can write between 5000 – 7000 words a day, and edit at the same speed. I prefer deadlines and will work phenomenal hours over short stretches.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ll just mention direct influences.
Kristin Cashore
Trudi Canavan
Maria V. Snyder
Robin Hobb
Charlaine Harris
Anne McCaffrey
Brandon Sanderson
J.K. Rowling
J. R. R. Tolkien
George R. R. Martin
What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on the second Healers of Meligna book called Blood Healing. I’m about to send the novel back to my editor after doing some extensive redrafting and editing and it will be released in August. The cover for the book has been designed and on the front of the book it says:
“War begins with an open wound.”
I intend to have three out of four books of the Healers of Meligna series finished by December, but I’m aiming to have them all finished by Jan… I’ll see if I can get them out by Christmas but it will be a lot of work in a very short amount of time. I also want to release the second novella in the Bear Heart series which I’ve already written, it needs another redraft, edit and a cover, though (about 3 weeks of work).
I’m extremely excited about the release of Blood Healing and I think my readers will thoroughly enjoy the mind-shattering twists.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m new to the publishing game, so I don’t have any certain promotional tools except interacting with people either through Goodreads, Twitter or Facebook. Be real, be genuine, talk to people and don’t be afraid to ask them for help but make sure you give back. Acknowledge those who help you, give them signed copies, favours, gifts, whatever it takes to build a supportive group of people who can help you be the best writer you can be.
The publishing game is a game because you take risks, you take gambles, you follow leads and you test the waters. It doesn’t mean you have to be fake, or dishonest, you can be you and still fave faith in your work and your stories.
There is no certainty when it comes to publishing except writing a solid book, attaching a professional cover and ensuring that the formatting is without errors. I don’t like to get caught up in watching my sales, overly promoting, worrying about the ups and downs of the industry. My passion is for writing and that’s where the work counts!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
This is not for the faint-hearted. Dig deep and pull out every ounce of hard work you have within you, and use it to improve your craft, learn the industry, and write, write, write. Don’t think you’ll find relief on the other side of publishing your book, you won’t. When one goes out, there’s the pressure of releasing the next in the series. Don’t procrastinate on your work. Set time schedules and take care of your health, but mostly, don’t ever give up.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Lower your expectations, work hard and persevere.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently researching the contemporary romance genre, so right now I’m reading Damaged 2 by H.M. Ward. She’s a fellow indie writer and on Amazon’s best sellers list right now.
Because I work so much in the fantasy genre, I get tired of fantasy narrations. When you write medieval fantasy 9 hours a day, you don’t want to be reading it in your spare time. A break means a proper break 😉
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing this Healer series and the Klawdia series, and then focusing on contemporary fantasy and NA fiction. Having worked in mental health I am working on a fun series about a female psychologist who’s life spirals out of control. After that I intend to write another three books set in the Healers of Meligna world, depending on whether my readers want that or not. I like to listen to what people enjoy and write accordingly.
I’m interested in EVERYTHING and I have an extremely curious mind so I don’t care what I write. I just LOVE writing worlds and characters.
What is your favorite book of all time?
More of a series of books than 1 book in particular. And that’s Kristin Cashore’s Graceling/Fire/Bitterblue. I read Kristin’s blog and her words, thoughts, books inspire me no end. I hope to be half a good a writer as she is.
Author Websites and Profiles
K. J. Colt Website
K. J. Colt Amazon Profile
K. J. Colt’s Social Media Links
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