3Q’s Special – K.P. Kulski transforms into Bloodroot!
Can you believe it, that after almost 200 3Q’s/Specials, today marks a first! A FIRST! Today’s guest is the phenomenally talented and super supportive K.P. Kulski. And while I’m super happy to have K.P. stop by – I never expected that her daughter would actually draw her fictional character for the Bonus Question!!??!! How friggin’ cool is that!
Please, do welcome K.P.!
Steve: What does your writing time look like? Do you try and write at the same time each day? Do you have a word count you attempt to hit?
KP: I’ve been homeschooling my son for over a year and my daughter more recently, it’s wonderful to have them at home and to go on educational adventures together, but it’s been difficult to get writing time in. With that said, I’ve managed to implement a schedule that works for us all. The wonderful Donyae Coles gave me some good advice on balancing homeschooling and writing that’s helping me restructure my time. I’m only a couple weeks in and already it’s made a huge difference. (Thank you, Donyae!)
She told me to first identify what time was my optimal writing time, then structure our homeschool day around that time. I work best afternoon until evening, so 3-4 times a week, we start with interactive homeschool lessons around 9am, have lunch and a break, then I go to my office to start writing by 1pm. The kids work on independent projects then. If I’m having one of those coveted “on a roll” days where the words are flowing and the muses are singing, my husband takes the helm in the evening so I can continue to work. I’ve also been using Saturday as a full writing day lately.
I don’t usually try to hit word counts, instead I focus on goals… like get a scene written, or fix a plot inconsistency, etc. I’m also a pantser and find mood is an important part of my writing. If I’m having an off day I focus on brainstorming and indulging in things that inspire me… music, art, books, etc. I believe it’s an important part of writing, letting our minds marinate in things that fill our well.
Steve: You end up at an estate sale and discover an unpublished manuscript from an author you love. Do you keep it just for yourself or do you share it with the world?
KP: Can I do both? Hahaha. I think I’d read it first, just to have that feeling of amazingness, covet it a little and then share it with the world. But I would also see if I could get in contact with the family involved with the estate sale to be sure they didn’t accidently or unknowingly sell such a gem.
Sharing stories is so important. I mean, that’s what we’re doing, sharing our stories when we publish. It’s the ultimate mind-meld. I’d be horribly sad if a manuscript of a cherished author didn’t sink into the brains of others as well as my own.
Steve: Tell me about your newest release (novel/story/poem/novella) and why someone should read it!
KP: House of Pungsu, released in September from Bizarro Pulp Press. I’m very proud of this little novella, it came from a lot of reflection on my own sense of identity as a woman, the changes in my life… from maiden, to mother, I often think about what cronehood will mean for me and what I want to make it. It’s a look at things that have trapped women in the past as well as today. How these things convince us there are walls.
As I wrote it, I realized how present my own mother was in my thoughts and reflected in the story. My hope is for readers to find the questions to ask about their own identities, to dare to open those doors we’ve been told are locked to us. Ultimately, I hope the journey will give readers perspective and maybe even learn more about themselves.
Steve: Bonus Question! You wake up in a comic book. What is your comic book character and what is your superpower?
KP: I’m a bit of a comic geek. Anyone who knows me knows I love Kelly Sue Deconnick’s Captain Marvel, so if I’m to be an already existing character it would be Carol Danvers.
A character that doesn’t exist though… well, I decided to consult my very creative daughter on this one and for the first time ever, I am unveiling her superhero design made with me in mind.
Meet, Bloodroot. I have the ability to control plants and darkness, move objects through shadows, and can harness the power of the moon. She further states that Bloodroot is both witchy and super cool. I of course, love her design and I’m totally going to have to make myself a Bloodroot costume for next Halloween.
That is seriously awesome and big kudos to your daughter for bringing this vision to life!
Thank you so much, K.P.!
To find more of her work, check the links!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/K-P-Kulski/e/B077ZPZGQH
Twitter: https://twitter.com/garnetonwinter
Website: https://www.garnetonwinter.com/
