Interview with K.A. Emmons, author of The Blood Race Trilogy

Interview with K.A. Emmons

 

• At what point did you decide to be an author and what was your path to publication?

 

When people ask me why I write, or why I started writing, or when I decided I wanted to be an author, it’s always a hard question for me to answer. I never really chose writing, it always just came as something of a sixth sense; the medium through which I could understand myself and the world around me. For me, the written word surpasses fleeting conversation. My fingers hit the keys and fly, and everything I didn’t know how exactly to put into words finds a voice. I write a lot of fiction. I’ve published two books and I’m working on publishing a third. But I also enjoy writing about places – travel. When I’m on the road, I so often feel like my eyes are just conduits through which the landscapes flow, filling my head until I could burst. I remember every little thing and write them down; and for me, writing about them is almost like being there again. I write about surfing and I taste salt on my lips. I write about the mountains and I can almost hear the swish of sweet grass in the breeze. I write about the desert and I feel the radiant heat of the sun on my skin.

 

• What do you do when a new idea jumps out at you while you’re still working on a book? Do you chase the squirrel (aka “UP syndrome”) or do you finish your current project first?

 

Typically I’m so absorbed in a current project that I don’t have any ideas for anything outside of that project until I’ve finished it. And even if I did, I’m a stickler for staying with something until it’s finished, so I suppose that would aid me in getting through “UP syndrome”. I tend to get really, really, really lazer-focused to the point of thinking about the book and almost nothing else.

 

• Who is your favorite character to write, and why is that person your favorite? If picking a favorite character would be like picking a favorite child, which character seems to be the most demanding or your attention and detail as a writer

 

There’s four dominant characters in The Blood Race trilogy that absorb a lot of my attention, and those would be Hawk, Ion, Fin, and Sensei. While it *is* hard to choose favorites, I would say that I definitely have a special attachment to these four – not to mention a deep level of gratitude for everything they’ve taught me. They are soulmates.

 

• Describe your writing process. Do you outline, plot and plan, or is your writing more organic?

 

I would say my process is very organic; I never plot and almost never write things down, aside from perhaps a few sticky note reminders posted on my desk like, “remember that thing blows up in chapter 19” or “remember this character learns how to shape shift in the next chapter” and so on. When I get a book idea, I usually see the story’s entire premise in my head immediately and then just write from that imagery.

 

• What are some books or authors that you would recommend to our readers?

 

Absolutely anything written by C.S. Lewis.

 

• Tell us what you enjoy most about writing [genre].

 

What I enjoy most about writing the books I write is the story itself. I love the process, I love watching and feeling the story come to the surface and take shape. I love being taught by that story. It’s an experience I really have no words to describe.

 

• Have you been able to incorporate your previous experience in [jobs/education] in your writing?

 

Absolutely. I believe as authors, a lot of our personal experiences and beliefs will affect what and how we write. Things we’ve learned change and influence how we think, and thus, influence our work. For me, my beliefs have definitely changed how I see the world and in turn, how I write about it. I’m also a martial artist, and the discipline and culture of that have definitely made an impact on how I live and also some of the concepts I enjoy writing about. Travel has influenced me and my writing to a fairly large degree as well.

 

• Do you identify with your main character or did you create a character that is your opposite?

 

I definitely identify with my main characters. In fact, I would go so far as to say I can probably relate to aspects of every character I’ve written, whether hero or villain. They all have dreams and hopes and fears and flaws and I think everyone can relate to being in possession of all four and the inward battle for the former two to win.

 

• Is there anything you would like people to take away from your book?

 

My everlasting hope is that someone might take away this idea that we are far more powerful than we realize. That, like in The Blood Race, there are hidden reservoirs of potential welling inside each and every one of us. That we are beyond human.

 

• Do you have any odd (writing) habits?

 

Consuming ungodly amounts of coffee, keeping rhythm to my typing by shaking my foot.

 

• What has been the toughest criticism you have received as an author? What has been the best compliment?

 

I can’t remember any criticism that really bothered me at all. The best compliment is always that the book impact them in a powerful way. That’s always what makes my work so fulfilling; knowing that the ideas and world stirring in my head have the capacity to touch someone’s life in a positive way. It’s a truly humbling concept and not something I take lightly.

 

• Share some advice for aspiring authors. What advice would you give to your younger self?

 

DON’T GIVE UP. if you do nothing else, do this and you *will* succeed. If you don’t give up ever, there is no other option: you will eventually succeed in meeting your goal, finishing your project, and manifesting your dream. Not giving up takes discipline, and it takes grit – dogged persistence through trials and countless hours of hard work. It’s staying strong and holding the line even when you’re down on your knees, even when you can’t see what the next step will be. It’s believing in the book, it’s remembering the reason WHY you started in the first place and using that to propel you forward… to victory. DON’T. GIVE. UP.

 

• What is your favorite line from your book?

“There is a warrior beneath your skin.”

 

• Have you ever experienced writer’s block? How did you deal with it?

 

Hmm. Not sure how I would define it, but I’ve certainly had days when I haven’t been inspired or in the right headspace to write, and my advice for that would be to be patient with yourself; be kind. Take breaks when you need them. Muscling through isn’t always the best option. Sometimes the story needs a break – sometimes your brain does! Treat yourself like you would treat your favorite author. 😉

 

• What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

 

If I’m not writing a book, I’m probably blogging here, practicing karate, traveling or surfing – all three of which are huge passions of mine. All of these inspire my writing and keep me creative.

Genre: Young Adult/Adult – Science Fiction – Paranormal – Urban Fantasy – Visionary & Metaphysical – Time Travel

 

Series Details

(book 1) The Blood Race ASIN: B074CQ64NG – Publication Date: July 27, 2017 – page count 321

https://goodreads.com/book/show/35858210-the-blood-race

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBV7Nh-1YQo

 

 

(book 2) Worlds Beneath ASIN: B07CPXPFJG – Publication Date: July 1, 2018 – page count 333

https://goodreads.com/book/show/39978200-worlds-beneath

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDa7Tc9CQnE

 

 

 

The Blood Race: synopsis

All Ion Jacobs ever wanted was to be normal. But when you’re capable of killing with your very thoughts, it’s hard to blend in with the crowd.

Running from his past and living in fear of being discovered, Ion knows he will never be an average college student. But when Hawk, the beautiful, mysterious girl next door unearths his darkest secret, Ion’s life is flipped upside-down. He’s shocked to discover a whole world of people just like him — a world in another dimension, where things like levitation, shape-shifting, and immortality are not only possible… they’re normal.

Forced to keep more secrets than ever before, Ion struggles to control his powers in the real world while commuting between realms — until his arch enemy starts a fight he can’t escape. Now he has sealed the fate of the Dimension, severing their connection to the real world, and locking himself inside forever. But a deadly threat hidden in plain sight may cost Ion more than just his freedom — it may cost him his life.

The Blood Race is the first book in K.A. Emmons’ riveting new sci-fi/fantasy thriller series. If you like epic urban fantasy, fresh takes on super powers, deep allegories, raw emotions and intricate plots that surprise you at every turn, you’ll love the first novel in Emmons’ page-turning series. Grab your copy of The Blood Race and delve into a new dimension today!

 

 

Worlds Beneath: synopsis

I used to think that seeing was believing, but now, as I struggle to stay alive below the ravine, I begin to realize that – good or bad – I will see whatever I believe.

“Who are you, Icarus, that the earth opens its mouth to receive your blood?” Sensei’s words were my last thoughts before I fell into the bottomless ravine, plunging toward my own death, and bringing about Hawk’s at the same time. Or so I thought.

I woke up underwater. I awoke in a strange and unfamiliar world, filled with maze-like forest, shadows, and nightmares seemingly as vivid and dangerous as reality. I had no idea who I was, or how I got there – I couldn’t remember anything, until I remembered her: Hawk. The other half of my soul.

I knew that in order for her to stay alive, I had to survive and find a way out. But that’s easier said than done when you’re trapped in a realm as deadly as your every thought – and dominated by a hierarchy of ravenous wolf packs.

Alerted by a dream, I realize that Hawk has left the Dimension to come find me. For an instant, I rediscover hope. But that hope quickly burns to ash when I realize that we may not be the only ones down here. Someone else with a thirst for her blood may have survived the fall too. And I may have just lured her right into the jaws of a predator even fiercer than the wolves.

 

 

Reader Review snippets

“A Wrinkle in Time meets The Giver”

 

“…the allegory. The symbolism. The hidden meaning. I’m so impressed, high praise, dude, high praise.”

 

“The world building was really interesting, and I just loved learning the ins and outs of the dimension. The amount of time that I know the author had to have spent weaving this world together is mind-blowing. So, so cool.”

 

“The writing is next level”

 

“The characters were incredible. They were so complex and multi-faceted and flawed. You could see parts of yourself in each one of them. They weren’t perfect, but that was what made you love them. They were characters that felt like they were standing right in front of you, like they’re people in your own life. I loved them.”

 

“Beautifully crafted prose, deep themes, complex plot, epic world-building”

 

“Would I have guessed that this was by a first time indie published author? Nah. THE WRITING – IT’S PURE GENIUS AND I’M IN AWE.”

 

“A modern sci-fi teenage Narnia”

 

“Unlike any other book you’ll ever read”

 

“K.A. Emmons has an incredible way with words… in some parts of the book I felt like I was reading poetry or song rather than a story. This book is graphically, emotionally vibrant, completely draws you in, extremely well-done.”

 

“It’s an intense, gripping read that will leave you clamoring to know what’s going to happen next.”

 

 

About the Author – K.A. Emmons

Subscribe to Chapter Break posts.