Ask the Author: Kat Simons
Answered Questions (6)
Kat Simons
The entire Tiger Shifters series developed out of a short story I wrote at the request of a friend for an anthology. After I sent in the story, I realized the world I'd created was huge and had all kinds of potential. I'm really enjoying exploring all those stories now. The idea for book #2 came out of knowing what was going to happen to a secondary character from book #1 (a character who will be a hero farther on in the series). Book #3 was actually the first story I wrote in the world after the short story, when I was just getting to know the tiger shifters. It became book #3, though, after I realized I wanted to tell a couple of other stories first.
I'm never quite sure how to answer the question of where the ideas come from, though, because I'm usually mulling things over, get a few characters in my head, and then run with "what if" questions to expand on their story. I go after the ideas as often as the ideas come to me. And the stories can come from anywhere.
I'm never quite sure how to answer the question of where the ideas come from, though, because I'm usually mulling things over, get a few characters in my head, and then run with "what if" questions to expand on their story. I go after the ideas as often as the ideas come to me. And the stories can come from anywhere.
Kat Simons
Writing is just what I do. I have so many stories in my head there aren't enough hours in the day (maybe not even in my lifetime) to get them all out. If I don't write, they won't ever see the light of day, so I write. I'm pretty practical about the process, though, because I don't have the kind of time that allows for things like "inspiration" and "the muse". When my baby goes down for his nap and my oldest is at school, I open my computer and go to work. That habit has been really good for my productivity. And when life interferes with my writing time (like when the baby refuses to nap, or sleep! *g*), that habit gets me back to work as quickly as possible.
Kat Simons
I've got book #3 in the Tiger Shifters series, HERE THERE BE TIGERS, with my editor as we speak, and I'm just finishing up a working draft of Tiger Shifters #4 (still working on a title for that one). Once I get HERE THERE BE TIGERS finished, I'll get down to the real editing on book #4 and drafting book #5.
Kat Simons
Never give up! Never surrender! (Any other Galaxy Quest fans here? *g*) Seriously, though, this can be a tough business. Love what you do, then keep at it no matter what. And always remember to enjoy in the actually writing process--don't get so bogged down in the business end of things that you forget why you started writing in the first place. (I still have to remind myself of that bit of advice.)
Kat Simons
The freedom to invent strange worlds and travel with new characters through those worlds! I love the rush of writing a first draft, and the thrill of getting a story as close to right as I can. Oh, and I love that my "job" goes wherever I go. All I need is something to write on (computer, notebook, tablet) and I'm good to go.
Kat Simons
I don't like to call getting blocked "writer's block" because it feels like an excuse. I do have to walk away from a story sometimes to work out problems or issues with the story. When that happens I usually take a walk or a shower--go someplace I can think uninterrupted--and let my imagination work through the problem. Then I get back to writing.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more
May 10, 2017 09:32AM
May 17, 2017 11:46AM