Author Interview – Nat Kennedy
Today, I am excited to welcome fantasy author, Nat Kennedy, to my blog. Nat is chatting to us about her book Blooded. I read Blooded when it first released, I thoroughly enjoyed it and you can find my review here.
Helen: Welcome Nat, and thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today. Tell us a little about your book, Blooded.
Nat: Hi Helen! Thanks for having me. I must say it’s a delight to be here to talk about my writing. I’m Nat Kennedy and I write heroic fantasy with a gay romance bent. The heroics are very important to me. My main characters want to fight the good fight, protect the weak, embrace nobility and honor. My current book is called Blooded.
Blooded is contemporary fantasy where those who can use magic are blooded, descended from a Pure magical being. Nick, a blooded sorcerer, has been on a decade long hunt for an evil megalomanic sorcerer and is burned out on life. Through the words of a prophet, he is led to a dilapidated manor house in the Alps, where he meets his old, hated professor, Byron, who has been turned into a vampire. Byron has given up on life and has tried to starve himself. When Nick arrives, he thinks he is there to kill him. More prophecy leads them to have to create a blood bond to take down the evil sorcerer. Lots of redemption, adventure, love, magic, and heroics.
Helen: I thoroughly enjoyed Blooded when I read it. Nick and Byron are wonderful characters. What were your thoughts behind the cover design?
Nat: My cover artist was amazing! Silvana Sanchez – Selfpub Designs kept tweaking to make sure I was happy with the scene it created. My two many heroes, Nick and Byron, stand side by side. Byron is wearing his cross, because he’s a religious man, Nick has his magical stone – the conduit for any sorcerer’s power. Behind them is the manor house in which they meet and much of the book unfolds.
Helen: Titles are just as important as covers. Why did you choose the title Blooded?
Nat: Blooded fit on many levels. First, the sorcerers are blooded if they have the blood of a Pure in their veins. This gives them the ability to use magic. Pure can be angels, devils, celestials, immortals, elementals, fae, or other types of mystical/magical beings.
Then there is the vampire aspect. Byron must drink blood and he doesn’t for so long, trying to end his misery. When the prophecy demands him to drink Nick’s blood, it takes on another level of meaning of bring him back to health and how the bond of blood has power over their magic.
Helen: The title is perfect for your story. What made you first start writing?
Nat: This is a story you’ve heard before. I always liked making up stories as a kid. I think I discovered I had a passion for it about twenty years ago when I started roleplaying games. I wanted more to happen other than what happened in the game so I wrote stories about my characters. Of course they were heroic and won the day! But I realized that when I couldn’t find stories I wanted, I would just have to create my own. In the era of grimdark and anti-heroes, I really wanted to find more solid men and women who wanted to do the right thing. Sure, not every character starts out as heroic, but I like to see nobility shine through. So, I write more noble characters because, for a while, I wasn’t finding them. That is my passion.
Helen: Blooded is Heroic Fantasy, which genre do you typically write?
Nat: Fantasy, mainly, though other kinds of speculative fiction such as science fiction and horror. And I like romantic elements or subplots as well.
Helen: It’s been a while since Blooded released. What are you working on now?
Nat: I’m currently writing a romantic adventure fantasy. My hero is a mercenary with a dark past and he’s trying to right a wrong that sent the area into war. He meets up with three hermaphroditic cat people, who hate humans but need him as a guide, and they go on this grand adventure, become friends, romance ensues, heroics are enacted, the day is saved. I’m almost done with this novel. It’s gone through 5 drafting stages, but I know it needs at least two more. Writing for me takes a long time. It’s the first in a series.
Helen: Everyone writes at their own pace. As long as you enjoy writing, that’s all that matters. Which element of the writing process do you find the most challenging?
Nat: The middle. I can draft fairly easily and I love the final word-smithing polish, but sometimes I write myself in a hole and I have problems coming out in a reasonable way. I want actions and reactions to be intelligent and make sense. So, the middle where I’m having to assure all plot holes are plugged, all actions make sense, and the pay out is worth it all, that slows me down at times. Writing is hard.
Helen: Every writer experiences self-doubt. How do you overcome the fear and the little voice in your head to keep writing?
Nat: Honestly, I stall out for long periods of time. I have a day job, so when I’m stressed or tired, I don’t tend to write much. I just don’t have the time or energy. I don’t think it’s doubt for me, it’s just lack of ‘success’ that tires me out. I have to remind myself that I love writing and I’m loving what I’m writing and to keep on it. “I write good stories. Keep going.”
Helen: It can be tough to have the energy to write after a long day at work. I’m afraid I am not an early riser, so writing first thing is not for me! Thank you so much, Nat, for spending time with me today. Just to finish, what advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Nat: Write what you love. Keep writing. Hone your skills. There’s a lot more I would say, but for a newbie I think those are key.
About the Author
Nat KennedyNat Kennedy writes romantic fantasy of all kinds. She prides herself in delivering engaging, plotty romantic stories. In her worlds, Heroes abound. Here you’ll find good men taking positive actions in rough places. Come along to lands of magic and enchantment—from epic, fantastical worlds to contemporary America, she’ll take you on a journey you won’t soon forget.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest where the rain keeps the world green.
Follow Nat:
Thanks for having me! It was great to meet your readers. If anyone is interested in keeping abreast of my current happenings, please find me, reach out and say hi!
Website – https://natkennedy.com/ – Heroes, Magic, Amore
Purch ase Blooded from Amazon
Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback
Link to book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love SoulBreather, or my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
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