Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born and raised in Zimbabwe, and lived in South Africa before emigrating to the U.S.A. I now live in Virginia with my husband Charles, and a cat. I am also an artist who paints in watercolor, and I coach other upcoming artists in my spare time.
My debut novel was “Talk to the Moon”. It was inspired by my mother’s life as a missionary, and set in Africa.
Recently, I realized that I wanted to write books in my favorite genre: fantasy. I enjoy writing for young people, so I combined the two and wrote my first fantasy novel, “The Six, and the Crystals of Ialana.” I enjoyed that so much I immediately wrote its sequel, “The Six, and the Gardeners of Ialana.” There will be a third, and more to come by early 2015.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “The Six, and the Gardeners of Ialana”, in the Ialana series. The Ialana series is inspired by my love of Tolkien, combined with my own mystical and spiritual interests.
I understand that what we’ve always considered “magic” is actually an unknown science, a long-forgotten knowledge that once was common-place and known to many. I am interested in mysteries and legend, myths from long ago, such as Atlantis, and Lemuria, were-wolves and vampires, fairies and elves…. What are or were they, really?
I don’t claim to have answers, but I have spun a story around these myths and legends and created an adventurous epic that is filled with strange creatures, and perilous situations. The Six young people who set off on this adventure are inspired by the Hobbits and the Elves of Tolkien, although they are not Hobbits and Elves, but human.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write a draft for every book, then throw it away. It is not my intent to ditch the draft after a few chapters, but that is invariably what happens. My main characters have a way of writing the books for me, and I usually listen to what they’re telling me. They’re always right. I feel like the secretary, sometimes, and they dictate. I never force a character into a situation because it was in my draft. A character may make a throw-away comment that leads the plot line in a completely different direction to what I had planned. I am okay with that.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
J.R. Tolkien is my main influence, for fantasy writing. For Young Adult…Terry Brooks, Madeleine L’Engle, and Mary Norton. Stephen King is a master of horror, and there is an element of that in my writing too. These are all writers whose books I have thoroughly enjoyed.
What are you working on now?
I have discovered a site that allows authors to put sound effects into their books. I am presently compiling a sound track for “The Six, and the Crystals of Ialana”. It is not an audio book; no one “reads” it–that is done by the reader, but there is music and sound effects that go with it as one reads. The site is cdn.booktrack.com. Currently there are no books for sale yet, but sample chapters are up on the site. Books will be made available to purchase in a few months. I will also put “The Six, and the Gardeners of Ialana” up once I have completed the first in the series.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Using as many social media sites as possible: Face Book, Twitter, book-promoting websites… I have no personal favorite. I try to find as many as I can that will take my promotions without charging an arm and a leg. Word of mouth is one of the best promotional tools, and friends who tell friends. Reviews are my goal. I find that if you don’t get reviews, its more difficult to get exposure.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep at it. I know it gets discouraging far too many times when it seems like we are swimming upstream. I got tired of the search for an agent/publisher and decided to do it all by myself. I am glad I did. I have not “made it” yet, but I plan to keep plugging away. It’s something I love, and as long as I find joy in what I do, I am a success.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
One doesn’t need a lot of money to be a success. Do not fall for the publishing schemes that ask you for money. Write every day. Even if you don’t feel like it.
What are you reading now?
The Queen of the Tearling, Erika Johansen; The Tenth Cycle, J.C. Ryan.
What’s next for you as a writer?
The third book in the Ialana Series, projected release 2015.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Hobbit; Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
Author Websites and Profiles
Katlynn Brooke Website
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