Welcome one and all to our first guest from the Bloggers Book Fair! Today we’re going to meet Young Adult, Sci-Fi &Fantasy author, Kimberly Gould! Don’t forget to chime in for your chance at a free copy of her second novel Cargon: Duty & Sacrifice!
As children we tend to have an idea of what we want to be by the time we’re ten. Before you decided to pursue the artistic dream of being a writer, what did you want to be and why?
I had a variety of scientific pursuits as well as the odd desire to be a farmer. My aunt and uncle had a farm, my grandpa raised cattle, and there was something wonderful about working outside. I didn’t go into farming, but I did become an environmental consultant and spend most of summer doing the scientific equivalent of gardening. So, in a way, I got exactly what I was looking for. (We work primarily with plants, so we have sowing studies.)
If your character(s) came with a warning label, what would it say?
Possible autism. I’ve heard a lot of functional autism suffers relate to Spock and his lack of emotion. Eve is a lot like that. I never say she has autism, and her post-apocalyptic society they probably have no idea what that is, but she is rather detached from her emotions. Louis would come with an ADULT warning label. I hate him for worming his way into my YA story and making it borderline. He is that high school stud that just can’t keep it in his pants, y’know? Adam… no, you need no warnings for Adam. He’s just awesome.
Personally, I tend to be a bit on the introverted side so the thought of being in the actual presence of one of my favorite writers makes my heart race, my knees shake and tangles my tongue (yes classic fan girl behavior). Who could reduce you to such a level and how do you imagine your initial meeting?
I think it happened. Tamora Pierce was in town for a book signing and I’ve been a fangirl for her since high school. Which is pretty much exactly what I told her. She made a comment about making her feel old. I felt TERRIBLE! I wanted to take the whole thing back and do it again. So here’s my imagination’s rendition of what should have happened:
“Hello, Ms. Pierce. I’m a huge fan of yours and I’m thinking about becoming a writer because of you and your books.”
“Really?! That sounds fantastic. I hope you do well and go far.”
Yeah, that’s the way it should have gone down… dammit. The other author I would like to meet (and stomp on his foot for dying) is Robert Jordan. I have been wrapped up in Wheel of Time for years and just bought the audio and hardcover copies of the last book via Brandon Sanderson. Maybe I should meet him and not step on his foot but thank him for doing what Jordan couldn’t, lol.
Growing up, what was your favorite book, comic, game or movie and did you create a character/player that might resemble you?
Everytime I watched a TV series or a movie, I tried to input a character in the background or off screen. They weren’t always like me, but I could usually imagine myself as them. In a way I couldn’t imagine myself as Akane in Ranma ½ or one of the Sailor Scouts or Princess Leia. (So that’s two anime and Star Wars, that good?) In fact, it was this phenomenon that lead to me taking up fanfiction which was my stepping stone to being published. I read Breaking Dawn from the POV of Nessie and then wrote subsequent stories using the character I’d given her. I have a Harry Potter character that I think about when I read those books and have finally started writing her story, but the Wandmaker’s Squib is solidly on the back burner.
Many writers have that first novel which will never see the light of day. Out of curiosity, do you have one stashed somewhere? Inquiring minds want to know: what was your first attempt at writing and how old were you?
Oh, yes. I started my novel based on a dream I’d had the night before in Grade 11. The protagonist had my name, but nothing else in common with me (She was blond, blue-eyed, athletic and beautiful. My husband might be able to claim I’m the last, but I’m NONE of the rest.) In fact, her daughter resembled me more than she did. I wrote about ¾ of the story on loose-leaf paper and it’s still in a binder around here somewhere. I don’t even consider looking at it. I know I will appall myself with my writing. LOL
Whether we’re plotters or pantsers (outlines not needed), creating our stories takes us on very memorable journeys. Sometimes we may be part way through before we realize some major aspect of our story is just not working (plot, character, setting). Have you ever hit this sharp, pointy snag and if so, how did you escape? We’re you battered and bruised or a bloody mess?
It’s happened a couple of times. The latest example, under my erotic pen name, was the worst. I’m writing prequels to the first story, following a group of vampires into the past to see each when they joined the group. So it gives me a bit of structure because in the other books I’ve given clues as to what has happened to these people. However, in this case, knowing the basic plot didn’t help one little bit. I must have restarted and reworked the same 10 000 words twelve times, trying to find something that would work. I think I have it now, after eliminating 2-3 characters and cutting about 3000 from the initial 10K. It was enough that I could write the rest of the story, though. That was the important part. I couldn’t get to the next chunk because the set up just was not working. The time before was much easier. What I had worked, I just didn’t know what came next. Jumping ahead for a handful of scenes and then going back worked like a charm that time.
Blades, guns, fists or feet?
Fists and feet. If you manage to take those away, I’m in REALLY big trouble.
Favorite Fairy Tale of all time?
Three billy goats gruff. I was the oldest sister and got left holding the bag WAY too many times. :p
Three titles and their authors sitting on your nightstand/bookcase/table/floor waiting to be read?
- Wheel of Time: A Memory of Light – Brandon Sanderson & Robert Jordan
- Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn
- Broken Escalator – Christopher Munroe
Greatest one liner of all time?
Who, me?
Sarcastic witticism, Southern sweetness or Geeky disdain?
Sarcastic witticism. I have scarred people, I’m sure.
Strangest item currently taking up space in your writing cave?
A book of Where’s Waldo. I see another of my daughter’s books beneath it. sigh
Favorite supernatural creature?
I love unicorns. Have since I was a kid.
Thank you, Kimberly for stopping by and sharing! We so love meeting new people around here! Okay my Swamp visitors, the floor is yours! Don’t forget to enter for your chance to win a free copy of Kimberly’s follow-up novel, Cargon: Duty & Sacrifice, out soon.
Don’t want to wait? Then go pick up her debut novel, Cargon: Honour & Privilege now!
Lives are won, lost and traded on the three-tiered Cargon boards.
Eve, a serving-girl, has watched the elite from the outside, seen the dramatic shifts based on the results of the Game. With a growing need to reach beyond her station, she can no longer accept her position on the edges.
Wagering her own life, she wins and emerges in a strange new world. New rules and old acquaintances tangle to make Eve’s life less comfortable than her position would suggest.
One pawn moved, but an entire world shaken – Eve will change the world.
Mother and wife, Kimberly divides her time between family, part-time job as an environmental consultant and pursuit of her imagination.
You can find her at: Kimmydonn.com