Q&A with K.K. Allen

[LeAnn]

Hi NABC! Hope you're all having a great week! We have the lovely K.K. Allen joining us for a Q&A over the next two weeks! You all know K.K. as the author of Enchanted, The Descendants, Up in the Treehouse, and her newest release, Under the Bleachers: a Novel.

Leave your questions for her below!

[Zeljka]

I love finding out which are my favorite writers' favorite books because I always love those books! So, I'd like to know what book you'd take with you on a deserted island if it was the only book you could read for quite some time? Thank you xx

[K.K.]

Zeljka wrote: "I love finding out which are my favorite writers' favorite books because I always love those books! So, I'd like to know what book you'd take with you on a deserted island if it was the only book y..."

Hi Zelijka! That is an awesome question. And a hard one. I would probably want to keep my mind busy, so give me Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and I'll be good :)

[Nicole]

I was wondering if you listen to music when you write and if you have a playlist to go with your books?

[K.K.]

Nicole wrote: "I was wondering if you listen to music when you write and if you have a playlist to go with your books?"

Hi Nicole! I do create playlists as I write. Music helps me set the mood for scenes I'm writing, but I find it hard to write while listening. So instead, I'll listen to the playlist in the car to inspire more ideas. All my books have soundtracks and they can be found on Spotify.

[Kate]

What's the best advice can you give to an aspiring writer?

[K.K.]

Hi Kate! I would tell them to keep writing, never compare yourself to others, don't be afraid to ask close friends and family to read your work, but most importantly, don't be afraid of the feedback. The feedback only helps you improve. Also, writing should always be fun. The moment it's not anymore is the time to take a step back and remember why you started writing in the first place :)

[Samantha]

What's the most fulfilling part of writing a novel?

[K.K.]

Hi Samantha! The most fulfilling part of writing a novel is definitely that moment when everything clicks and you're ready to shout it out to the world. It usually doesn't happen in the first draft, or even second, for me. Things usually start clicking during the rewriting stage for me. That's what I have a complete novel and I go in and restructure, add layers, fill plot holes, etc. until I'm ready to pass it off to my Beta readers. That's when things get real.

[Irma]

I've read Up in the Treehouse and Under the Bleachers (I loved both books so much) and would love to know if we'll be getting more stories from side characters? Thank you.

[K.K.]

Irma wrote: "I've read Up in the Treehouse and Under the Bleachers (I loved both books so much) and would love to know if we'll be getting more stories from side characters? Thank you."

Hi Irma, I am planning another book for this series. I gave a pretty big hint in Under the Bleachers as to who it's about :) Message me on Facebook if you need another hint, lol. So happy you loved them both! <3

[Sophie]

Where do you like to write & what inspires you're stories?

[K.K.]

Sophie wrote: "Where do you like to write & what inspires you're stories?"

Hi Sophie! I love writing outside on a beautiful day. That's not always possible in Florida because of the heat, but when I can open my doors in my office, that's usually second to best. I usually write at my desk, but I do like to switch it up, as a change of scenery helps with my creativity :) And my stories are inspired by a little bit of everything, past and present, in my world. But I think I'm most attracted to raw emotion, and I love exploring characters' motives with the intention to redeem and heal.

Thanks for your questions!

[Irma]

K.K. wrote: "Irma wrote: "I've read Up in the Treehouse and Under the Bleachers (I loved both books so much) and would love to know if we'll be getting more stories from side characters? Thank you."

Hi Irma, I..."

Thank you, K.K. :) I have an idea about who this might be ;) Thanks for everything! xx

[Nicole]

Did you have your whole book outlined before you wrote it?

[K.K.]

Nicole wrote: "Did you have your whole book outlined before you wrote it?"

Hi Nicole! I always outline my books before I write them during the plotting/brainstorming phase. But I never stick to the outlines fully. This allows me to build upon the plot as I write without any restrictions. I like to rewrite my outlines too to make sure I'm still staying on track :)

[Hanne]

How long did it take to write your first book? And what made you decide to publish it?

[K.K.]

Hanne wrote: "How long did it take to write your first book? And what made you decide to publish it?"

Hi Hanne, it took me a few years to get my first book to a point to wanting to publish! Once I had my mind set on it, I would say it took three months to rewrite it and get it up on KDP.