Kristin Ward
Kristin Ward has loved writing since middle school but took thirty years to do something serious about it. The result is her Best Indie Book Award-winning novel, After the Green Withered, followed by the sequel, Burden of Truth. She lives in a small town in Connecticut with her husband, three sons, and many furry and feathered friends. A SciFi geek to the core, she is fueled by dark chocolate and coffee and can be heard quoting eighties movies on a regular basis.
Interview:
1. Will you tell us about your most recent published work?
The premise of my debut novel, After the Green Withered, came about while I was conducting research for a graduate course I wrote in environmental education. As I researched earth’s history, the seedling of an idea took root. I wondered what the world would look like if drought encompassed the planet and water became the global currency. How would mankind adapt to the myriad of changes that disaster would perpetuate? What would it mean for the face of our country? What would life look like for a generation born in the aftermath?
The story of Enora begins following the prologue, an essential part of the book as it lays the foundation for the society my main character lives in. She is a young woman on the cusp of adulthood, wrestling with the limited choices available in her rigidly managed community. When Enora is thrust into a role within the entity that controls everything, from water credits to borders, Enora is faced with startling realities that force her to confront who she is and what she ultimately stands for.
2. What personal challenges do you face as a writer?
The biggest challenge I face as a writer revolves around time. Working full-time and raising three sons has an enormous impact on the hours available for writing stints. Now that I really think about it, how is it that the workday can crawl by like molasses, but writing time goes by in a blink? I think I need to analyze this because there’s some weird time warp that seems to creep into my world at the most inauspicious moments! I usually end up snatching small chunks of time in the evenings and on the weekends. This is assuming that the laundry pile isn’t glaring menacingly at me, and that my three sons are occupied. Oh, and the dogs aren’t repeatedly dropping large bones with a loud thunk at my feet in an effort to entice me into a game of fetch. Time. Yep. The struggle is real!
3. What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
The most challenging part of the process is editing. I am fortunate to have an absolutely amazing editor, David Taylor of thEditors.com. He provides incredibly detailed feedback that helps me fulfill my vision of the story I want to tell. But, I have come to realize that no matter how many rounds of editing my manuscript goes through, there will be errors. I think typos are like dust bunnies. They are either multiplying or hiding in the cracks and crevices of a book I write.
4. What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
I would give up my day job if I could write full time! But I think you’re asking for a true sacrifice. In that case, I would give up story ideas that I have felt inspired to write if it meant that I focus on genres that would enable me to expand on my writing abilities. I will never master the art of writing. There is no such thing as mastery in my mind because there is always more to learn. I can always better my craft!
5. How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
Writing and publishing my first book was an amazing journey that was many years in the making. A catalyst for me came in the form of an article I read in December of 2017. I had been giving more time to writing during the fall (Laundry be damned!), but hadn’t set a deadline for the first draft. As I browsed news articles, I came across a startling piece about the water crisis in Cape Town. After three years of drought, Cape Town’s water supply was predicted to run out in April of 2018. I looked at my husband and he said, “You need to get your book finished!” My story is relevant and I have a message to share. So, I buckled down and finally published in May of 2018.
I jumped straight into the sequel after publishing my debut novel. Due to my procrastinating tendencies and the knowledge that readers would need to read the rest of the story sooner rather than later, I had to give myself a deadline and stick to it. The result is that the first book took five years to write and the sequel took five months. I have taken these experiences and shaped my current process around them. Determining a realistic timeframe is essential for me and I have taken that to heart with my current work in progress.
6. How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have? Will you tell us about them?
There are many stories swirling around in the miasma of my brain. But I am focused on one of those ideas for my next book. I am currently writing a YA scifi-fantasy titled Rise of Gaia. Interestingly, this book had gone through a series of iterations in its initial inception as I developed the story concepts. I recently revealed the cover. This was an intense process with a designer who worked incredibly hard to bring my vision to fruition. Rise of Gaia is coming out this year!
Here’s a blurb to get you acquainted with the premise:
Beneath rock and soil, trees and oceans, she lies.
Under concrete jungles and poisoned rivers, she slumbers.
She is Mother Earth.
And mankind has turned its back on its mother.
The visions begin on Terran’s seventeenth birthday. Horrifying images pummel her brain, while a voice commands her to see beyond the world she thought she knew and into the heart of it. Gaia has awakened, brought to consciousness by the greed of a species that has tainted every aspect of her being in a tide of indifference. With this awareness, comes rage. Gaia calls upon her children to unleash her fury, wreaking vengeance on humanity.
Terran will emerge in a world on the brink of collapse, to face a being whose wrath is beyond imagining.
7. Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
I have a terrible habit of reading my reviews! It’s like the fender bender on the side of the road. I just have to look. The reviews readers compose that reflect a deep connection to the characters and story are truly elating. It is the words they write which are profound. As an author, my ultimate goal is to write someone’s favorite book.
However, I have my share of low reviews and ratings. I suppose the toughest pill to swallow are the two-star ratings because there is no text review to explain the low score. As a writer, constructive criticism is an important part of the process. So, when I stop sobbing into a glass of wine and really think about the comments, I can apply them to my craft. Just kidding. Sort of.
On a serious note, reviews are incredibly important to authors. I encourage all readers to leave a thoughtful review!
8. Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
Yes! Some place and character names have special meaning. Those readers who figure them out will see the connection these names have with the context of the story or the characters within it.
9. What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
There is a huge indie community on Facebook and Twitter. I have made numerous connections with these amazing people and love the ability to bounce ideas off of them or get advice. I find this community to be an inspiring bunch, always ready and willing to lift you up and help you grow as a writer.
10. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
I would tell myself to stop wasting time dreaming of writing a book and just write it! In the past, I spent a great deal of time starting stories that would end up sitting on my computer collecting a figurative film of neglect. I have learned to focus myself and set deadlines, which is what enabled me to finish my first two books.
11. What are common traps for aspiring writers?
A big decision any writer in today’s market needs to make is whether to go indie or traditional. Publishing your book can become a reality for anyone who truly wishes to attain the goal of authorship. Some writers may feel overwhelmed by the choices out there or the market itself. My advice is to do your research and find the path that is right for you. Walt Disney said it best, “If you can dream it, you can do it!”
12. What’s the best way to market your books?
Marketing is part of the book industry that I went into with an embarrassingly naïve perception. Before publishing, I hadn’t understood the intense amount of work and time marketing entails. It’s been quite a learning curve! I have found that social media is a great way to make connections but I do struggle with getting my book in front of readers in this over-saturated market. Thankfully, I have met many wonderful writers, bloggers, and podcasters who offer various platforms to get the word out. In addition to some paid, I participate in newsletter swaps, guest interviews on blogs and podcasts, book magnet opportunities, and my own marketing attempts.
13. What is your favorite childhood book?
That’s a great question! If we go way back, my top two favorites are The Wump World and Ferdinand. Both of these books have themes that are close to my heart!
Social Media:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kristin_ward_author/
website:
https://www.writingandmythreesons.com
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D2X7YSY
Twitter:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/KristinWardAuthor/
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18149425.Kristin_Ward
Buy Links:
After the Green Withered
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D2X7YSY
Other Retailers:
https://books2read.com/u/m2volo
Burden of Truth
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JQ2DRGX
Other Retailers:
https://books2read.com/u/3nYa98
Kindle Unlimited duology:
