|
|
|
|
Blogs by L.T. Suzuki
kc dyer Interview & Enter to Win an Autographed Novel!
12/1/2009 7:45:53 AM
An interview with this talented author, kc dyer and a chance to win an autographed novel of your choice by this YA author!
For the fans of YA time travel fantasies and the Surrey International Writers Conference, I have a wonderful treat for you! Popular author and jet-setting (regular modes of travel, folks) researcher kc dyer is here today to share in her adventures in writing and publishing. I first met kc back in 2003 when we were sitting next to each other during a book signing at the Surrey International Writers Conference. Since then, kc has risen from the ranks of attendee to the coordinator of the SIWC. It is rated by Writers Digest as one of the top three writers conferences in North America.
I’d like to begin by having you share a little information about yourself with our readers. I know you were born in Calgary, but what else would you like to divulge?
kcd: Hmmm… Let's see. I was born in Calgary, but have lived in Toronto, Richmond Hill and Seattle, Washington. However, I've lived just outside Vancouver for nearly 14 years.
LTS: To your growing fan-base (which includes my daughter, by the way), your works need no introduction. But for those in search of excellent novels with a wonderful blend of historical facts, ‘Seeds of Time’, ‘Secret of Light’ and ‘Shades of Red’ definitely falls into this category! Your latest novels, ‘Ms. Zephyr’s Notebook’ and ‘A Walk Through a Window’ have also found an attentive audience wanting more. With so many works in print, am I wrong to assume writing stories have always been a part of your life and becoming a published author a life long dream?
kcd: No, you're right -- I've been a writer for a long time. Having my books published was an endeavor hard-won for me, but it feels very natural, I have to say. The thing I have been best at all my life is reading, so being a writer has always seemed an intuitive choice.
LTS: I understand your debut novel ‘Seeds of Time’ is more than a story about time travel. My daughter loved the Darrell character, but she also found the historical tidbits, like information about the black plague so interesting, and she felt it really added to the story. Can you tell the readers how this novel and its main protagonist differ from your latest release, ‘A Walk Through a Window’?
kcd: Oh, these stories are very different. I mean -- I love time travel, and I am very respectful of the conceit -- I try not to use it lightly. My first series involved a very intricate form of world-building, with more or less the end in mind to use the story to engage the readers with the time periods involved by catching them first with the contemporary elements. In WALK, the worlds I build are very different as is the use of time travel. WALK is more of a ghost story -- with the ghosts being the contemporary characters who appear in the past without having corporeal effect...very different from the techniques I used in the Eagle Glen stories. WALK and its sequels also address a vastly different question -- the idea that we are all immigrants, and that our shared experiences bring a richness to our culture that needs to be celebrated.
LTS: With five books in print, I’m going to put you on the spot by asking you which one of your titles is your personal favorite and why?
kcd: Oh, my favourite is always the book I am working on at the moment -- the one that captures my heart and attention. I've finished the sequel to WALK [still mulling over a title, though!], and am now working on a steampunk time travel story set in the UK. I've had this story in mind for about 5 years, so it's time to get it down and give it a life of its own.
LTS: As you well know, the road to publication is difficult at the best of times. Was it difficult for you to land an agent? Do you have any advice you’d like to share with the author struggling to find representation?
kcd: In Canada, at least, if you write for children or young adults, you don't need an agent to get started. I think this holds true for many genres in Canada. We have such a small industry here, most of the houses are willing to look at your work if you submit according to their guidelines. I was not agented for my first four books -- did it all on my own. We are very lucky in Canada that we can still do this. And starting at a small house is never a bad idea -- we have loads of people passionate about good writing in our country.
LTS: Becoming a published author is truly a difficult road to travel, so we’re always pleased when a fellow writer is plucked from relative obscurity to land a book deal. Can you share that moment you sold your story to Dundurn Press?
kcd: I belong to an on-line writers forum, and a friend of mine -- also on the forum -- and I both finished our books at about the same time. She'd written a romance and was looking for an agent, and I'd written an historical fiction novel for teens, and was looking for someone...anyone!... to publish it. Some time earlier, I'd had a discussion with another friend and mentor of mine, author Marsha Skrypuch, and she'd told me she was rejected at least 100 times before she was published. So my friend the romance writer and I decided we would have an on-line competition to see who could become the 'Rejection Queen' -- first to 100 rejections. We did this on-line, of course, in front of hundreds of writers from all over who were members of the forum: Public humiliation, plus a little camaraderie to take away the sting of rejection, and to keep us going when things seem at their darkest. In the end, we made it to about 26 or 27 rejections each before she was picked up by an agent. Within a week of that -- while we were still discussing who was going to take her place in the competition, since I still had a long way to go to get to 100 -- I got a call from the acquisitions editor who picked up my book. One of the happiest days of my life, I must say.
LTS: What an excellent story! You’ve just inspired a lot of writers not to lose hope. As for writing, I’m curious about your style. Are you one of those disciplined writers who must dedicate a certain time each day to producing so many words, or are you more relaxed and tend to write when it strikes your fancy?
kcd: Let's just say I wish I had more discipline. I'm hoping it will come to me with age!
LTS: Still on the subject of writing styles, are you a plotter or pantser? The readers would like to know if you tend to plot out your story line in great detail or if your writing is more organic with the characters and events unfolding as you write.
kcd: Total panster. No question. I know when I begin where I think the story may end up, but I never have any idea how I'm going to get there. I'd lose interest if I knew what was going to happen!
LTS: With the release of ‘A Walk Through a Window’ in the spring of 2009 and work underway for the first novel in a new series of ghost stories, where do you find your inspiration?
kcd: Ha -- I find inspiration in everything. I have so many ideas ... well, most of them will never see the light of day. I love telling stories. And I always want to find out what happens, so I keep writing more!
LTS: Some meditate, some listen to music, others fuel up on coffee, etc. Do you have any rituals, ones that can be shared with the readers, that you must do before you hunker down for a writing session?
kcd: Uh -- spider solitaire? No -- that's more of a distraction than a ritual. I don't think I really have a ritual. Writing is an organic part of my life. If I can go for a run, and knock out a couple of thousand words, it qualifies for an excellent, excellent day.
LTS: At one time or another, most writers hit the wall and their work stalls because of the dreaded writer’s block. What do you do to get around or over this mental wall to resume writing?
kcd: I don't really have writer's block. I almost always have at least one back-burner story going, so if I get stuck, I can work on one of those. But I do suffer from letting other stuff get in the way of my writing time. I am a terrible over-committer.
LTS: Who is your favorite author and how has he/she inspired you to write or influenced your writing style or choice of genre?
kcd: Oh, Lorna -- I really struggle with this question. I have SO many favourite authors. Graham Greene, TH Whyte, Enid Blyton, Kurt Vonnegut, PD James... it's tough for me to say. I often blame LM Montgomery for what I do, since I grew up wanting to be Anne, and she was a writer.
LTS: What is the most profound discovery you’ve made in terms of your writing and how it has touched the lives of others?
kcd: Hmm. I've had many lovely, wonderful experiences with my writing. It is astonishing and humbling to hear tell that my stories have made a difference in someone's life. I think the most important thing I've learned is that what you put out in the universe comes back to you. I really believe it, and have seen evidence of it time and again.
LTS: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned on the road to publication?
kcd: Keep trying. Learn from those who are willing to share with you. And where you can, help others.
LTS: What are you reading now, and how did this particular book make it onto your to-read list?
kcd: Right now I am indulging my PG Wodehouse addiction for pleasure, and surfing the time-space continuum with the shades of Douglas Adams and Mervyn Peake with regard to my work. Eclectic influences for sure.
LTS: What do you foresee in your future over the next five years and do you hope to branch out from YA into other genres? Can your fans expect another book to ‘The Seeds of Times’ series featuring Darrell?
kcd: Darrell Connor's story is complete, for me, but I'm not sure I'm done with Eagle Glen just yet. We'll see. I've recently finished a satirical murder mystery for adults, so that's a little departure for me. I'm working on a podcast/radio play version of that story right now. And I'm really excited about my new series -- it's a little edgier than some of my recent work. Lots of projects on the go!
LTS: And one final question: To me, the SIWC has become synonymous with the name kc dyer, being that you’ve been the coordinator of this very popular writers conference for the last three years, I cannot imagine it without you at the helm. It takes an incredible amount of time and personal dedication to pull this conference off with the degree of success it has each year. For those lamenting your departure from this role, can you reassure us that you’ll still be a presence at future SIWCs?
kcd: You are so kind! SiWC has been a part of my life for so long, I can't imagine not being involved. I'll still be on the Board, and will pretty much remain a fixture for as long as they'll have me. As you've seen, the Surrey conference is different than anything that's out there, and that spirit of collegiality and professional development -- not to mention the fun -- is what brings people back year after year. I plan to be there next year with my bright tights on, no question! Thanks for having me, Lorna!
LTS: Thank you so much for taking the time from your very busy schedule to do this guest blog. I wish you luck and many more research trips to the UK as you tackle your next novel. Undoubtedly, I’ll see you at the next conference or book signing, kc! And for those wanting a chance to WIN AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ONE OF kc dyer’s NOVELS: Check out the details below!
For more information about kc dyer and her novels, check out: blog: http://kcdyer.blogspot.com
Website: www.kcdyer.com [we're working on a very cool upgrade to the site, launching soon]
Follow on Twitter: .kcdyer
Where to buy the book: Chapters.ca or Amazon.com, or just ask for it in a bookstore near you!
Win an autographed novel by kc dyer!
Just visit kc’s website at www.kcdyer.com and click on the “contact kc” to email her. On the subject line enter: Win a Book Contest.
Tell kc you read her guest blog on the Imago website and you’d love to win a copy of one of her YA novels. Also include the title of the book you’d like to win and kc will be happy to autograph the book of your choice, if you’re the lucky one!
The contest begins Dec. 1st and closes at midnight on Dec. 7th, 2009. One entry per person. The winner will be chosen by random and contacted by the author on Dec. 8th. The prize (an autographed book) will be snail mailed to the lucky winner.
This contest is not restricted to entries from the USA and Canada. kc invites all readers, wherever they are, to enter for a chance to win. Due to the volume of entries, only the winner of this contest will be contacted by the author. The winner’s name will be posted on her website as well as the Imago website. Good luck!
Post a Comment new!
More Blogs by L.T. Suzuki
• Erica Lucke Dean Interview - Saturday, May 18, 2013
• Amber Lea Easton Interview - Sunday, May 12, 2013
• Ruth Nestvold Interview - Saturday, May 04, 2013
• Rose Garcia Interview - Saturday, April 20, 2013
• Robert Pruneda Interview - Saturday, April 13, 2013
• Lance Burson Interview - Saturday, April 06, 2013
• Rachel Thompson Interview: - Saturday, March 23, 2013
• Samantha Martin Interview - Saturday, March 16, 2013
• Lisette Brodey Interview - Saturday, March 09, 2013
• Jack Whyte Interview Part Two - Saturday, March 02, 2013
• Jack Whyte Interview Part One - Saturday, February 23, 2013
• Molly Greene Interview - Saturday, February 16, 2013
• Dionne Lister Interview - Saturday, February 09, 2013
• Anita Reynolds MacArthur Interview: - Saturday, February 02, 2013
• Alicia Kat Dillman Interview - Saturday, January 26, 2013
• John Gregory Hancock Interview - Saturday, January 19, 2013
• Adriana Ryan Interview - Saturday, January 12, 2013
• Jennifer McConnel Interview - Friday, January 04, 2013
• S.M. Boyce Interview - Saturday, December 15, 2012
• James Tallett Interview - Saturday, December 08, 2012
• Melissa McPhail Interview - Saturday, December 01, 2012
• Roz Morris Interview - Sunday, November 18, 2012
• Tania Johansson Interview - Saturday, November 10, 2012
• Dale Ivan Smith Interview - Sunday, November 04, 2012
• Respect Your Readers - Sunday, October 28, 2012
• Greta van der Rol Interview - Sunday, October 21, 2012
• Justin Bog Interview - Saturday, October 13, 2012
• Thanksgiving Day: Gratitude - Saturday, October 06, 2012
• Steena Holmes Interview - Saturday, September 29, 2012
• Kenneth Hoss Interview - Saturday, September 22, 2012
• Patty Jansen Interview - Saturday, September 15, 2012
• Joshua E. Bigger Interview - Saturday, September 08, 2012
• Joyce Damask Interview - Saturday, September 01, 2012
• Marketing & Twitter - Saturday, August 25, 2012
• Henry Herz Interview - Saturday, August 18, 2012
• Kristin Bair O'Keeffe Interview - Sunday, August 12, 2012
• William Linde Interview - Saturday, August 04, 2012
• Micheal Rivers Interview - Saturday, July 21, 2012
• Robert James Russell Interview - Saturday, July 14, 2012
• Becka Sutton Interview - Saturday, July 07, 2012
• Canadian Authors Feature - Saturday, June 30, 2012
• Gini Koch Interview - Sunday, June 17, 2012
• M. Pax Interview - Saturday, June 09, 2012
• Karina Halle Interview - Saturday, June 02, 2012
• Novice Writing Mistakes - Sunday, May 27, 2012
• Pippa Jay Interview - Sunday, May 20, 2012
• Glenn Starkey Interview - Saturday, May 12, 2012
• Maurice G. Nicholson Interview - Saturday, May 05, 2012
• How I Select Followers on Twitter - Saturday, April 28, 2012
• Shaun Allan Interview - Sunday, April 22, 2012
• Darlene Foster Interview - Saturday, April 14, 2012
• Kim Aleksander Interview - Saturday, April 07, 2012
• Hope Collier Interview - Saturday, March 31, 2012
• John Kolson’s Writeado: A New Online Writing Tool - Saturday, March 24, 2012
• Jeff Shanley Interview - Saturday, March 17, 2012
• Stephen England Interview - Saturday, March 10, 2012
• Everett Powers Interview - Saturday, March 03, 2012
• The Kindle Prime Experiment - Saturday, February 25, 2012
• Edward Lazellari Interview - Saturday, February 18, 2012
• Connie J. Jasperson Interview - Saturday, February 11, 2012
• Sally Dubats - Saturday, February 04, 2012
• Selecting Writers For My Author Feature - Sunday, January 29, 2012
• Tarek Refaat Interview - Sunday, January 22, 2012
• Toby Neal Interview: - Saturday, January 14, 2012
• Thomas A. Knight Interview - Sunday, January 08, 2012
• Linda Poitevin Interview - Sunday, January 01, 2012
• 2011: A Year in Review - Monday, December 26, 2011
• Angeline Kace Interview - Sunday, December 18, 2011
• Eden Baylee Interview - Saturday, December 10, 2011
• Cyndi Tefft Interview - Saturday, December 03, 2011
• The Conference Experience - Sunday, November 27, 2011
• A.R. Silverberry Interview - Sunday, November 20, 2011
• Suzy Turner Interview - Sunday, November 13, 2011
• Patti Roberts Interview - Sunday, November 06, 2011
• Raine Thomas Interview - Sunday, October 23, 2011
• LK Gardner-Griffie Interview - Saturday, October 15, 2011
• Jonathan Gould Interview - Saturday, October 08, 2011
• Brian Rathbone Interview - Saturday, October 01, 2011
• Matthew Merrick Interview - Sunday, September 25, 2011
• Dean Lappi Interview - Saturday, September 17, 2011
• J.T. Ellison Interview - Sunday, September 11, 2011
• Carolyn Arnold Interview - Sunday, September 04, 2011
• John Kolson Interview - Sunday, August 21, 2011
• Megan Curd Interview - Saturday, August 06, 2011
• Elena Aitken - Sunday, July 31, 2011
• When Book Reviews are Misleading… - Sunday, July 24, 2011
• Deborah Riley-Magnus - Saturday, July 16, 2011
• Jessica Subject Interview - Sunday, July 10, 2011
• J. Alexander Greenwood Interview: - Sunday, July 03, 2011
• When Social Networking is no so social... - Monday, June 27, 2011
• Dannie C. Hill - Monday, June 20, 2011
• Shay Fabbro Interview - Tuesday, June 14, 2011
• Genevieve P. Ching Interview - Monday, June 06, 2011
• Al Boudreau Interview - Monday, May 30, 2011
• Jennifer Hudock Interview - Monday, May 23, 2011
• Paul Mansfield Keefe Interview - Monday, May 16, 2011
• Rusty Fischer Interview - Monday, May 09, 2011
• Jason McIntyre Interview - Monday, May 02, 2011
• Emlyn Chand & Novel Publicity - Monday, April 25, 2011
• Steve Umstead Interview - Monday, April 18, 2011
• John Betcher Interview - Monday, April 11, 2011
• Kimberly Kinrade Interview - Monday, April 04, 2011
• Inspiration & Where You Find It - Monday, March 28, 2011
• Christie Yant - Tuesday, March 22, 2011
• Amy J. Rose David Interview - Monday, March 14, 2011
• George H. Sirois Interview - Monday, March 07, 2011
• Linda Nagata Interview - Monday, February 28, 2011
• Adventures in Editing or... Is it Done Yet? - Monday, February 21, 2011
• Greg Messel Interview - Monday, February 14, 2011
• Jen Wylie Interview - Monday, February 07, 2011
• Katie M. John Interview - Monday, January 31, 2011
• How Do You Measure Success: - Tuesday, January 25, 2011
• Avery Tingle Interview - Monday, January 17, 2011
• Kristie Cook Interview - Tuesday, January 11, 2011
• Ren Cummins - Tuesday, January 04, 2011
• A Wish For the New Year - Tuesday, December 28, 2010
• Trish Wolfe Interview - Monday, December 20, 2010
• Jesi Lea Ryan Interview - Monday, December 13, 2010
• Cat Connor Interview - Monday, December 06, 2010
• How to Make a Story Ring True - Monday, November 29, 2010
• Sharon Bially Interview - Monday, November 22, 2010
• Donna Carrick Interview - Monday, November 15, 2010
• Brenda Sedore Interview - Tuesday, November 09, 2010
• Robert Feagan Interview - Monday, November 01, 2010
• Of Book Signings, Volunteering & Option Agreements… - Tuesday, October 26, 2010
• Daryl Sedore Interview - Monday, October 18, 2010
• Seven Day Blog Tour Begins October 17th - Tuesday, October 12, 2010
• Todd A. Ritter Interview - Monday, October 04, 2010
• Cheryl Kaye Tardif Interview - Monday, September 27, 2010
• Claude Bouchard Interview - Tuesday, September 21, 2010
• Dr. Peter Clement Interview - Tuesday, September 14, 2010
• Elizabeth Isaacs Interview - Monday, September 06, 2010
• Introducing a New YA Fantasy - Monday, August 30, 2010
• Interview with Author Gene Doucette - Monday, August 23, 2010
• It's All About the Books Part 2 - Monday, August 16, 2010
• It's All About the Books - Monday, August 09, 2010
• When to Abandon Your Manuscript - Monday, August 02, 2010
• 1st Anniversary Blog: A Celebration of Authors - Tuesday, July 27, 2010
• Kathy Chung & the SiWC Part Twp - Tuesday, July 20, 2010
• Kathy Chung & the Surrey International Writers Conference Part One - Tuesday, July 13, 2010
• Deanna Jewel Interview - Tuesday, July 06, 2010
• The Happiest Indie Author (me) in the World! - Tuesday, June 29, 2010
• The Author Effect - Tuesday, June 22, 2010
• Jacqueline Pearce Interview - Tuesday, June 15, 2010
• Peggy Richardson Interview - Tuesday, June 08, 2010
• Wendy Nelson Tokunaga Interview - Tuesday, June 01, 2010
• The Importance of a Critique Group - Saturday, May 29, 2010
• Zoe Winters Interview - Tuesday, May 18, 2010
• Zoe Winters Interview - Tuesday, May 11, 2010
• Tonya R. Moore Interview - Monday, May 03, 2010
• Write On Bowen! - Monday, April 26, 2010
• Dayna Hester Interview - Monday, April 19, 2010
• Luke Romyn Interview - Monday, April 12, 2010
• Rhonda Carpenter Interview - Monday, March 29, 2010
• Lacey Weatherford Interview - Monday, March 22, 2010
• K.M. Weiland Interview - Tuesday, March 16, 2010
• Mark Coker, CEO of Smashwords Interview! - Tuesday, March 09, 2010
• Jo Lynne Valerie Interview - Tuesday, March 02, 2010
• Dan McNeil Interview - Tuesday, February 23, 2010
• Catherine McKenzie Interview - Tuesday, February 16, 2010
• 8 Years of Writing! 8 eBook Winners! - Sunday, February 07, 2010
• Birthday Blog (or an Ode to Aging Gracelessly) - Monday, January 18, 2010
• Interview with Paranormal Author Kate Austin - Monday, January 11, 2010
• Riley Carney Interview - Tuesday, January 05, 2010
• Ask an Editor - Monday, December 28, 2009
• Lee Edward Fodi Interview - Monday, December 21, 2009
• Interview with YA Author James McCann - Tuesday, December 15, 2009
• Researching Historical Fiction with Diana Gabaldon - Tuesday, December 08, 2009
• kc dyer Interview & Enter to Win an Autographed Novel! - Tuesday, December 01, 2009
• Bev Katz Rosenbaum Interview - Tuesday, November 24, 2009
• Writing Tips I Learned from Terry Brooks - Tuesday, November 17, 2009
• An Interview with Tamara Sheehan - Monday, November 09, 2009
• YA Author Loreena M. Lee Interview - Tuesday, November 03, 2009
• Why Do I Blog About Other Authors? - Thursday, October 29, 2009
• Critique by Author Jack Whyte - Tuesday, October 27, 2009
• BookCamp 2009 - Monday, October 19, 2009
• Participating at VCON 34 - Wednesday, October 14, 2009
• Therese Walsh Interview - Tuesday, October 06, 2009
• Interview with Debra Purdy Kong - Tuesday, September 29, 2009
• Twitter – The Power of the Tweet - Tuesday, September 22, 2009
• Part Two: Publishing in a Foreign Market - Tuesday, September 15, 2009
• An Interview with author Christopher Belton - Tuesday, September 08, 2009
• Part Two of the Caroline Leavitt Interview: - Thursday, September 03, 2009
• An Interview with Author & Book Reviewer Caroline Leavitt - Tuesday, September 01, 2009
• An Interview with Kathleen Bolton - Tuesday, August 25, 2009
• Interview with author/artist Scott Kessman: - Tuesday, August 18, 2009
• Interview with author/artist Scott Kessman: - Tuesday, August 18, 2009
• Part 2 of the Kim Falconer Interview - Thursday, August 13, 2009
• An Interview with Kim Falconer - Tuesday, August 11, 2009
• Part 2 An Interview with Alan Baxter - Thursday, August 06, 2009
• An Interview with Alan Baxter - Tuesday, August 04, 2009
• If You Write It, They Will Come (buy it)… Not! - Sunday, July 26, 2009
• Lori A. May: Author Extraordinaire - Tuesday, July 21, 2009
• Merits of a Writers Conference - Sunday, July 19, 2009
• Part 2 Publishing in the Digital Age - Thursday, July 16, 2009
• Publishing in the Digital Age - Monday, July 13, 2009
• Writing Tips for the Novice Novelist - Tuesday, July 07, 2009
• Flog the Blog - Tuesday, June 30, 2009
• Do's & Don't of a TV interview - Saturday, June 27, 2009
• Mortality & Writing - Friday, June 26, 2009
• The Art of Editing 101 - Tuesday, June 23, 2009
• How To Write When Suffering from Bad Memory Retention - Saturday, June 20, 2009
• Finding Inspiration from Others - Thursday, June 18, 2009
• To Blog or Twitter... - Tuesday, June 16, 2009
|
|
Bookmarks
