I'd just like to thank Kate for allowing me to interview her! Thank you so much!
1) How did you create the wonderful suspenseful moments in this novel?
Oh, I'm happy you found it suspenseful! And now I wish I had a brilliant answer for this. I guess I would say for me, it's helpful to concentrate on the senses and also take the camera lens really close up:
what are the body's natural physiological responses to a threat?
what do you pay attention to when you are afraid?
what do you ignore? and work from there.
2) Which character would you say you most identified with?
That's a tough question because I identify with each of the characters in some small way: I can relate to Emmeline's pa's worry over his child, I can relate to Emmeline's restlessness and curiosity, I can
relate to Tom's fear of scrutiny, and so on. I don't think there is any one character I identify with more strongly than the others.
3) Did you draw on many personal experiences while writing this?
Some of the themes in the novel certainly stem from personal experience. For example, our tendency to judge one another based on heresy is something I am guilty of and it's also something to which I've been subjected. The notion of being Stained in the settlement is an examination of how we define ourselves based on how others view us, or how we believe others view us. And of course harsh winters-- living on the Canadian prairies, I have quite a bit of personal experience with those!
4) What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
One bit of advice that has made all the difference in the way I write is to "write from the heart". Telling the narratives that are important to you means the story comes from an authentic place, and it allows your voice to be distinct and unique.
5) What scenes did you enjoy writing the most?
I think I enjoyed writing the scenes in the woods the most. I liked the newness and adventure--and the creepiness, too.
6) Did you ever feel like the idea wasn't working, or like you wanted to stop?
Many times. Fortunately, the first draft was done on a dare, or rather a challenge, as it was my NaNoWriMo novel several years ago. So even though I knew things weren't working in it, I just concentrated on getting the words down, knowing I would rip it apart and fix it later.
7) Have you always known you wanted to be a writer?
No, even though I was always best at school subjects that involved writing and even though, when I finished graduate school, I worked for years as a technical writer (qualitative research and synthesis). For whatever reason, I only recently became brave enough to try fiction.
8) How long did you work on the novel?
The novel, from inception to finished draft for publication (not the same thing as publication date!), was in progress for a little over two years.
9) Did you deviate a lot from original ideas?
The book is a completely different book than the first draft, but it's also exactly the book I was trying to write the first time.
10) What can we expect from you as an author in the future?
There are two more books set in the world of Winterkill. The second book, Darkthaw, is slated for publication fall 2015. The third book will be released fall 2016.
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