Kym Briggs - Author Interview
Welcome Kym, and thanks for joining us as the first author interview on this site. Why don't you tell us a bit about yourself so we can get to know you.
I live in Upstate New York with my family and loud mouthed cat. I love to read, write(obviously ), make jewelry, bike ride, and review books(which I started doing this year).
Do you now or have you ever considered using a pen name?
At one time I thought about using a pen name. I wasn't sure what name I was going to use, but considered it. However, I do not use one. I use my name. I like it, it is the name my parents chose for me, Kymberli Briggs is who I am. And I am happy to see it on books.
What inspired you to become a writer, and what was the inspiration behind your first book?
I have always had a love for stories, hearing them and telling them. As far back as I can remember, I have told stories. Eventually I put them on paper. I have an encouraging family also and they helped fuel the fire of storytelling and writing. I remember my parents reading and making up stories to me when I was little. The inspiration behind my first story was my teddy bear. I was 7 or 8 years old and for school I was asked to write a story for class. I could write about whatever I wanted. I chose my teddy bear as a character. The Mystery Teddy Bear was the result. It was never published, but I still have it. It was the story that started my writing career.
What are the best and worst bits of being an author?
For me, the best parts are the characters and plots my imagination is always coming up with. I love how a character appears in my imagination and starts whispering a story in my ear. Sometimes they shout, LOL. I love how I can see a picture, hear a song, or see something happen and a story begins to weave together. It is also always nice to hear from a reader that they enjoyed my books. The worst parts ... Sometimes the characters in my imagination do not stop talking and it is an inconvenient time to write. However, I dread the day when stories stop coming, so I will deal with rambling characters in my head. Also, writer's block of course. That is very annoying. Especially on days that I have time to write and want to write, but nothing comes.
Who are your favorite authors, and how did they inspire you to write?
Carolyn Keene, the author of the Nancy Drew Mystery series. I grew up on those stories and they fed my love for the mystery genre. Laura Ingalls Wilder, who wrote the Little House on the Prairie series. I love those stories and I love that Laura Ingalls Wilder's dream was to write, and she fulfilled that dream. My other favorite author is Margaret Mitchell, who wrote Gone With the Wind. I just Love that book.
Could you talk us through a typical writing day for you-do you have any rituals to help you get in the right frame of mind or anything like that?
I do not have a set amount of words I write daily or weekly, I just try to write something every day. Some days I can only get in a sentence or two, others I write all day. I always have music playing, but it has to be instrumental. If there are lyrics they distract me. Music cuts the quiet of the room but in a good way. I have had inspiration for scenes because of music playing. I always have a snack and some kind of drink (usually lemonade or hot tea) on hand. I also have a writing hat. I wore it once when my ears were cold and have been wearing it ever since. And, I have to be near a window. If I am writing in an area that is all walls, the creativity disappears. I need a window so I can see outside. For some reason, it helps me in writing.
Do you plan your story or do you go with the flow and let the story write itself? If you plan, can you talk us how you do it please?
I do both. When an idea pops into my head I let it grow, see where it goes on its own. I do research as I need to. Other times I have a specific time period or situation I want to work with, and I let ideas come from that. When I do plan, it is basically all research, whatever it is. I have a book of names I use when writing my character list, I read interviews, journals, newspapers, etc.. from the time period I am setting the story in. I have a bookcase filled with fashion books of different decades, an encyclopedia, history book of America, dictionaries, famous women of the Civil War.... I research just what I need and try not to over-research. That can take away from writing time and I may not use a lot of that information. Fortunately, since I write stories tailored to pre-teen to young adult (although my books are enjoyed by readers of all ages), I can use the children's encyclopaedia and information books. I have also enlisted help from staff at places used in stories, and help from family and friends who know more about the event or whatever it is I need to learn about.
If you could have lunch with one person, past or present, who would it be and why?
Honestly, I could not choose. There are too many people to name.
If you could bring 1 fictional character to life for 1 hour, who would it be, what would you do with them for that time, and why?
It would be Sully from Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, and we would hike in the mountains. I have been watching that show since it aired on TV January 1, 1993. I love that show and Sully is one of my favorite characters.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I wrote The Mystery Teddy Bear. I have been writing ever since that story, I have never stopped.
Which books have most influenced your life?
Just one - the Bible. I try very hard to live my life by the principles set in the Bible.
Tell us about the book you are reading now and your impressions on it-wether you enjoy it. Why/why not?
I am currently reading two books. One is Mary Poppins Opens the Door. I like it. Mary Poppins comes across a little harsher in the books than in the movie, but I am having fun reading it. The other book, totally different from Mary Poppins, is Anna Karenina. It is my year's challenge to finish it by December 31st. I have 4 parts left to read. A few spots were tough to get through, but overall, so far, I like it.
Other than writing, how do you spend your day?
I read a lot. I also work on my jewelry and help my mom with her store, The Owl and Moon. I am also a secretary, and of course there are always household chores to do. Laundry really is a never-ending job :)
Where do you get your ideas from?
All over. From music, pictures, something someone says, something someone does, an event that happens, dreams, clothing in a vintage shop, an item at an antique store.... I am always finding something that gets the creative wheels turning.
If you couldn't be an author, what would your ideal career be?
Not be an author?! Just thinking of the idea of not being one scares me. Well, I have always loved libraries. I think it would be fun to be a librarian. To be surrounded by all of those books and have them at my fingertips to read would be great.
Which was your favorite chapter to write and why?
Definitely Poor Elizabeth's "July 7, 1863". There is a lot of emotion in this chapter. It was so much fun to write. This chapter also helps set the stage for the climax of the story.
Do you have any advice for new writers?
Do not give up. And write what you love. Don't feel pressured to write a story that is of popular genre now. Like fashion, book genres go in and out of style constantly. Write something you love and there will be someone else who will love it too.
How do you cope with and overcome writer's block?
I read over what I have written and go through the plot. Sometimes looking it over helps me figure out the next scene. If still nothing comes, I take a break and get my mind on something else. I read, do laundry (you'd be surprised at the ideas that have come from hanging up laundry), organize something. Sometimes getting my mind off of the story and on something else brings the story back. "Ignoring" the characters can get them talking again.
What was the hardest thing to cut from your manuscript?
Honestly, I have not had anything cut that I was too attached to.
What do you find is the best time to write?
Night time. For some reason my stories really come alive at night. I have been woken up by them many times and I end up staying up late writing.
How do you deal with rejection letters?
I don't work with big time publishing companies, I do self-publishing, so I have not had to submit my manuscripts and wait for an approval letter or rejection letter.
Which do you prefer, writing or editing, and why?
Writing, specifically the first draft. At that stage I have the basic idea of the characters and the story, but I still get surprised by turn of events and thing characters say and do. I am on the journey with them and sometimes I don't know what is going to happen. I know, I am the author. But I still do have surprises when writing!
I know you self-publish this series of books. Would you be kind enough to explain why that is right for you, and whether you pursued a traditional route first, or was it always your intention to self publish?
It has always been my intention to self-publish. I have never pursued the major publishing companies peopple find at bookstores like Barnes and Noble. Basically because-I have OCD and I am very controlling of my stories, I admit it. Once a person has a name, an event happens a certain way, even the little details, I worked hard on those and believe they fit the story the best. I do have an editor I work with and she is a great help. She helps with the tweaking and fine tuning of the stories, but the story itself stays the same and I am happy with them. I would have a hard time with someone telling me something had to change or be cut, when I believe it belongs in the story. And for me, writing is not about becoming a #1 best seller or being a widely known and famous author (although it is exciting to see my work has reached England!). I write because I love to, and I print my stories so others who enjoy them can have a copy of them.
This concludes Part One of the interview with Kym. Her website is www.kymberlibriggs.com, Part Two will follow shortly.
I live in Upstate New York with my family and loud mouthed cat. I love to read, write(obviously ), make jewelry, bike ride, and review books(which I started doing this year).
Do you now or have you ever considered using a pen name?
At one time I thought about using a pen name. I wasn't sure what name I was going to use, but considered it. However, I do not use one. I use my name. I like it, it is the name my parents chose for me, Kymberli Briggs is who I am. And I am happy to see it on books.
What inspired you to become a writer, and what was the inspiration behind your first book?
I have always had a love for stories, hearing them and telling them. As far back as I can remember, I have told stories. Eventually I put them on paper. I have an encouraging family also and they helped fuel the fire of storytelling and writing. I remember my parents reading and making up stories to me when I was little. The inspiration behind my first story was my teddy bear. I was 7 or 8 years old and for school I was asked to write a story for class. I could write about whatever I wanted. I chose my teddy bear as a character. The Mystery Teddy Bear was the result. It was never published, but I still have it. It was the story that started my writing career.
What are the best and worst bits of being an author?
For me, the best parts are the characters and plots my imagination is always coming up with. I love how a character appears in my imagination and starts whispering a story in my ear. Sometimes they shout, LOL. I love how I can see a picture, hear a song, or see something happen and a story begins to weave together. It is also always nice to hear from a reader that they enjoyed my books. The worst parts ... Sometimes the characters in my imagination do not stop talking and it is an inconvenient time to write. However, I dread the day when stories stop coming, so I will deal with rambling characters in my head. Also, writer's block of course. That is very annoying. Especially on days that I have time to write and want to write, but nothing comes.
Who are your favorite authors, and how did they inspire you to write?
Carolyn Keene, the author of the Nancy Drew Mystery series. I grew up on those stories and they fed my love for the mystery genre. Laura Ingalls Wilder, who wrote the Little House on the Prairie series. I love those stories and I love that Laura Ingalls Wilder's dream was to write, and she fulfilled that dream. My other favorite author is Margaret Mitchell, who wrote Gone With the Wind. I just Love that book.
Could you talk us through a typical writing day for you-do you have any rituals to help you get in the right frame of mind or anything like that?
I do not have a set amount of words I write daily or weekly, I just try to write something every day. Some days I can only get in a sentence or two, others I write all day. I always have music playing, but it has to be instrumental. If there are lyrics they distract me. Music cuts the quiet of the room but in a good way. I have had inspiration for scenes because of music playing. I always have a snack and some kind of drink (usually lemonade or hot tea) on hand. I also have a writing hat. I wore it once when my ears were cold and have been wearing it ever since. And, I have to be near a window. If I am writing in an area that is all walls, the creativity disappears. I need a window so I can see outside. For some reason, it helps me in writing.
Do you plan your story or do you go with the flow and let the story write itself? If you plan, can you talk us how you do it please?
I do both. When an idea pops into my head I let it grow, see where it goes on its own. I do research as I need to. Other times I have a specific time period or situation I want to work with, and I let ideas come from that. When I do plan, it is basically all research, whatever it is. I have a book of names I use when writing my character list, I read interviews, journals, newspapers, etc.. from the time period I am setting the story in. I have a bookcase filled with fashion books of different decades, an encyclopedia, history book of America, dictionaries, famous women of the Civil War.... I research just what I need and try not to over-research. That can take away from writing time and I may not use a lot of that information. Fortunately, since I write stories tailored to pre-teen to young adult (although my books are enjoyed by readers of all ages), I can use the children's encyclopaedia and information books. I have also enlisted help from staff at places used in stories, and help from family and friends who know more about the event or whatever it is I need to learn about.
If you could have lunch with one person, past or present, who would it be and why?
Honestly, I could not choose. There are too many people to name.
If you could bring 1 fictional character to life for 1 hour, who would it be, what would you do with them for that time, and why?
It would be Sully from Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, and we would hike in the mountains. I have been watching that show since it aired on TV January 1, 1993. I love that show and Sully is one of my favorite characters.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I wrote The Mystery Teddy Bear. I have been writing ever since that story, I have never stopped.
Which books have most influenced your life?
Just one - the Bible. I try very hard to live my life by the principles set in the Bible.
Tell us about the book you are reading now and your impressions on it-wether you enjoy it. Why/why not?
I am currently reading two books. One is Mary Poppins Opens the Door. I like it. Mary Poppins comes across a little harsher in the books than in the movie, but I am having fun reading it. The other book, totally different from Mary Poppins, is Anna Karenina. It is my year's challenge to finish it by December 31st. I have 4 parts left to read. A few spots were tough to get through, but overall, so far, I like it.
Other than writing, how do you spend your day?
I read a lot. I also work on my jewelry and help my mom with her store, The Owl and Moon. I am also a secretary, and of course there are always household chores to do. Laundry really is a never-ending job :)
Where do you get your ideas from?
All over. From music, pictures, something someone says, something someone does, an event that happens, dreams, clothing in a vintage shop, an item at an antique store.... I am always finding something that gets the creative wheels turning.
If you couldn't be an author, what would your ideal career be?
Not be an author?! Just thinking of the idea of not being one scares me. Well, I have always loved libraries. I think it would be fun to be a librarian. To be surrounded by all of those books and have them at my fingertips to read would be great.
Which was your favorite chapter to write and why?
Definitely Poor Elizabeth's "July 7, 1863". There is a lot of emotion in this chapter. It was so much fun to write. This chapter also helps set the stage for the climax of the story.
Do you have any advice for new writers?
Do not give up. And write what you love. Don't feel pressured to write a story that is of popular genre now. Like fashion, book genres go in and out of style constantly. Write something you love and there will be someone else who will love it too.
How do you cope with and overcome writer's block?
I read over what I have written and go through the plot. Sometimes looking it over helps me figure out the next scene. If still nothing comes, I take a break and get my mind on something else. I read, do laundry (you'd be surprised at the ideas that have come from hanging up laundry), organize something. Sometimes getting my mind off of the story and on something else brings the story back. "Ignoring" the characters can get them talking again.
What was the hardest thing to cut from your manuscript?
Honestly, I have not had anything cut that I was too attached to.
What do you find is the best time to write?
Night time. For some reason my stories really come alive at night. I have been woken up by them many times and I end up staying up late writing.
How do you deal with rejection letters?
I don't work with big time publishing companies, I do self-publishing, so I have not had to submit my manuscripts and wait for an approval letter or rejection letter.
Which do you prefer, writing or editing, and why?
Writing, specifically the first draft. At that stage I have the basic idea of the characters and the story, but I still get surprised by turn of events and thing characters say and do. I am on the journey with them and sometimes I don't know what is going to happen. I know, I am the author. But I still do have surprises when writing!
I know you self-publish this series of books. Would you be kind enough to explain why that is right for you, and whether you pursued a traditional route first, or was it always your intention to self publish?
It has always been my intention to self-publish. I have never pursued the major publishing companies peopple find at bookstores like Barnes and Noble. Basically because-I have OCD and I am very controlling of my stories, I admit it. Once a person has a name, an event happens a certain way, even the little details, I worked hard on those and believe they fit the story the best. I do have an editor I work with and she is a great help. She helps with the tweaking and fine tuning of the stories, but the story itself stays the same and I am happy with them. I would have a hard time with someone telling me something had to change or be cut, when I believe it belongs in the story. And for me, writing is not about becoming a #1 best seller or being a widely known and famous author (although it is exciting to see my work has reached England!). I write because I love to, and I print my stories so others who enjoy them can have a copy of them.
This concludes Part One of the interview with Kym. Her website is www.kymberlibriggs.com, Part Two will follow shortly.