Author Interview — Kelly A. Harmon

KellyAHarmon03172010eI’m pleased to welcome author Kelly A. Harmon to the world of Poseidon’s Scribe.   Kelly writes epic fantasy, urban fantasy, and science fiction.

A former newspaper reporter, Kelly says she “used to write truthful, honest stories about authors and thespians, senators and statesmen, movie stars and murderers. Now she writes lies, which is infinitely more satisfying, but lacks the convenience of doorstep delivery, especially on rainy days.”

Among her many enjoyable stories are “The Dragon’s Clause” and “Blood Soup.”

cover_dragonsClause2The Dragon’s Clause:” For hundreds of years, the city-state of San Marino has paid tribute to the dragon living beneath their mountain city. But humans are forgetful, and no one alive has ever seen the dragon. Though a contract exists, the people feel they are just throwing their money away. Find out what happens when the city residents renege on their contract with the dragon.

cover_BloodSoup2012_Final_250Blood Soup:” Danger awaits the Kingdom of Borgund if a woman fails to take the throne. When the pregnant Queen finally gives birth, the king faces a terrible choice. Will he choose wisely or doom the kingdom to ruin?

I read and loved both these stories, and posted reviews here and here.  And now for the interview:

Poseidon’s Scribe:  When and why did you begin writing fiction?

Kelly A. Harmon:  I’ve been writing all my life. Seriously. I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing a story.

As for the why of it: because I can’t not.  I’ve taken little vacations from writing, but, like some crazy illness, I can’t get away from it.  There’s actually a Latin phrase for this: Cacoethes Scribendi.  The phrase comes from the Juvenal’s Satires, wherein he states, “Tenet insanabile multos scribendi cacoethes.” “The incurable desire for writing affects many.”  My first Web site was called Cacoethes Scribendi.

P.S.: What are the easiest, and the most difficult, aspects of writing for you?

K.H.:  It’s all easy…and it’s all hard. Some days are just easier than others.  Writing is easier when I know where the story is going: words just seem to flow. The difficulties come when I want to write about something, but don’t have a clear picture in my mind. When that happens, I put the story away and work on something else until I have time to think about it.

P.S.:  What inspired you to write “Blood Soup” and “The Dragon’s Clause?”

K.H.:  “Blood Soup” is the product of the 3-day novel contest. I wanted to see if I could write a story in three days.  The rules allowed you to plot the novel before you started, so I had a little cribsheet—a postcard actually—with a series of scenes I wanted to write. I got all the way to the last day, when you’re supposed to mail it off to the judges…and a thunderstorm rolled through the area and blacked out my power for over an hour. I was devastated!  But it came back on before the deadline and I was able to submit.  I submitted a finished novel, but it didn’t win one of the big-three prizes. However, “Blood Soup” did go on to win first place in the Fantasy Gazetteers contest and was published later than year by an unaffiliated publisher.

“The Dragon’s Clause” is one of my favorite short stories! I wrote it on spec for an anthology, and was tickled pink when it was accepted.  It was clearly a case of, “I want to be published there…what can I write?”

P.S.: What is the audience you’re trying to reach in your stories?

K.H.:  Honestly, I write for myself. I strive to write well, and I’m always looking to improve, but I’d write whether or not there was an audience. (See: Cacoethes Scribendi). However, I hope my novels appeal to anyone who enjoys escape. I’d like to entertain more than anything.

P.S.:  What are your favorite genres to write in?

K.H.:  Six months ago I would have said epic fantasy unequivocally. However, I’m starting to write some contemporary urban fantasy, and it’s a lot of fun.  Look for a book or maybe two by the end of the year.

P.S.:  In your opinion, why does the fantasy genre seem to have such staying power?

K.H.:  I think there are a lot of reasons people like fantasy: most of the tropes are familiar—old English settings, for example, though a lot of really good fantasy breaks out of that mold—and people are comfortable with it. It’s easily relatable with a lot of magic and excitement tossed in.  It’s definitely escapist.

P.S.: Every Friday, your blog features prompts for fiction writers; do you find you need a prompt to get going with a story?

K.H.: I find that I don’t need a prompt to write, but I sometimes like to use one.  I have enough story ideas to write for a lifetime, but a prompt is very useful in sidetracking my brain to think in a different way. I might use a prompt or two to see where it might lead me in my current work in progress or to start a short story. I find prompts especially useful for creating short story plots.

P.S.: What is your current writing project?

K.H.: I’m busy, busy, busy!  I’m in the process of getting all my previously published short stories back into print and electronic—including a collection or two which will contain some stories not yet published. I’m finalizing edits on a novel—which I’ve received an offer on. If I decide to sign the contract, you’ll see it in early 2015.  I’m also working on the third book of a sexy urban fantasy.  The first in the series is on the desk of an editor right now, and I’m working on edits of the 2nd.

P.S.: What advice can you offer to aspiring writers?

K.H.: Write every day. Don’t wait for inspiration. Listen to criticism, but be true to your voice.

Thank you very much, Kelly!  The entire staff at Poseidon’s Scribe wishes you every success.  My readers can find out more about Kelly A. Harmon at her website, on Facebook, and on Twitter.  Her author site at Amazon.com is here.

                                                                         Poseidon’s Scribe

September 29, 2013Permalink

Is ‘Write a Novel’ on Your Bucket List?

bucketHave you created a bucket list, and decided you’d like to write a novel before you kick the bucket?  Before you commit to that, we need to talk.

First, although I don’t have a bucket list myself, I like the concept.  What a great way to take charge of the rest of your life, to seize the remaining days and bend them to your will, to enjoy the wonders of being alive in this world at this time.

I think your attitude toward your list is important, though.  You shouldn’t consider your life a failure if you don’t cross off every item.  As Robert Browning said, your reach should exceed your grasp.

Most bucket lists contain items that can be thought of as events, or one-time experiences.  In the 2007 movie, “The Bucket List,” the characters’ list items included going skydiving, flying over the North Pole, visiting the Taj Mahal, going on an African safari, and visiting Mount Everest.  Those types of list items are fine; it’s a good idea to experience what our world has to offer.

However, writing a novel isn’t like that at all.  It’s been said that writing a novel is a one-day event.  As in, “one day, I’ll write a novel.”  Unless you sign up for something like Nanowrimo or the 3-day novel contest, writing a novel normally takes many months.

Further, there’s a significant difference between listing ‘write a novel’ and ‘get a novel published.’  Attaining publication is much harder than just writing a novel for your own enjoyment.

True, there’s a great feeling of accomplishment in writing “The End” after your novel’s first draft, and I imagine an ecstatic feeling at seeing your own novel in print, but both of those feelings are preceded by many long, solitary hours/days/weeks/months of writing.  Just in case you didn’t know that.

In short, writing a novel is probably unlike other items on your bucket list.  It’s less like ‘visit the Grand Canyon’ or ‘see a show on Broadway’ and more like ‘learn dentistry’ or ‘become a rock star.’  In other words, be prepared for a major time-suck.

So, you understand all that but have decided to keep ‘write a novel’ on your bucket list anyway?  You’re that determined?  Great!  I say, go for it.  I wish you luck.  Remember, if you are able to get your novel published, that work of creativity will survive your own death.  If it’s good enough, it could even become a classic and live on forever.  Even the work of a sculptor doesn’t survive as long, for stone eventually wears away, but the words of a book can be reprinted endlessly.

If you’ve made a bucket list, I’d love to hear about it, whether or not writing a novel made your list.  Let me know by leaving a comment.  Be assured that ‘one day,’ a novel will be written by—

                                                                               Poseidon’s Scribe