FAQ with Author
Kelli A. Wilkins (Part 2)
Give a warm
welcome to romance and horror author Kelli A. Wilkins. (Yes, she writes sensual
romances AND spooky horror fiction!) Kelli is here to answer a few questions
and share a look at her unsettling novella, Nightmare in the North.
Who, or what, has influenced your writing?
Although most people think of me as a romance
author, I also write short horror stories. The author who has had the most
influence on my writing is Stephen King. The first “grown up” book that had a major effect on
me was Stephen King’s Night Shift. I
read this collection of stories when I was nine or ten, and I was impressed. Up
until that point, I’d read the Little
House books and Nancy Drew
mysteries. They were okay reads to pass the time, but something about horror
clicked with me. I was entranced by the way the stories were told, the
characters, the descriptions, and the tone.
King
creates interesting characters, brings the reader into the setting with sensory
details, and sets up unique plots. The telling of the story (regardless of
genre) is the core to any good book. I think his On Writing is a must-read for anyone who writes or wants to
write.
Once I
discovered King’s writings, I was hooked. I decided I wanted to write horror fiction and have my stories published
in a book someday. From then on I read every horror novel and short story I
could find. Eventually I began writing my own tales of terror. In
addition to my horror fiction, I’ve also published a collection of 18 science
fiction stories called Extraterrestrial
Encounters. Readers can learn about it here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/extraterrestrial-encounters
You write horror fiction, so readers want to know… what’s
the most shocking book or story you’ve ever read?
The first horror story I
ever remember scaring me is “Wendigo’s Child”
by Thomas F. Monteleone. It was in an anthology for children called Monster Tales: Vampires, Werewolves, &
Things. I read it when I was in grade school. Anyone who has read it
understands the last line: “It was looking up at him.” I’m still searching for
a copy of that book and the illustrated version of the story.
In addition to your full-length romance novels, you’re also a prolific
science fiction and horror short story writer. What is your key to creating a
successful piece of short fiction?
The best advice I ever got for writing short stories is: write tight. Take out
anything and everything not essential to the story, such as extra words,
details, and dialogue tags. This is especially important when I’m writing
sci-fi or horror. Too many words or distractions can break the tension, ruin
the suspense, or otherwise distract the reader.
You also need a compelling plot that draws readers into the world of the
characters and holds them there. Not everyone believes in ghosts, but if you
write a ghost story that sucks readers into that world and scares them, you’ve
done your job. A “hook” beginning and a great ending are musts in creating a
good short story.
Have
you ever started a project, felt it run out of steam and had to abandon
it?
Yes. I think most writers have, for one reason
or another. I’ve started a few horror stories, then wondered, “Why am I writing
this?” and either scrapped what I had entirely, or revamped it. I have lots of
story ideas, so if one project isn’t working out, I can start another story. I
have more ideas than I have time to develop them.
Do
you keep a notebook near you for when new ideas pop into your head?
Absolutely!
I never know when I’ll get a story idea, a name for a character, a snippet of
dialogue, or an outline for a scene. I keep paper and pen handy at all times
and have been known to scribble ideas on the backs of envelopes and paper
towels!
I keep all of these ideas, etc. in a
folder, and when I’m ready to start a new project, I pull it out and see what’s
in there that I can use. Ideas are fleeting, so you have to write them down as
soon as they come to you.
Anything you would say to those just
starting out in the craft?
The best advice I can give to any writer
(regardless of what genre he or she writes) is to keep writing. It takes a lot
of dedication and determination to sit down every day and write something. But
the more you write, the easier it gets.
Writing
classes are a great way to learn the basics and meet other writers. If
possible, join a writer’s group or a critique group to get feedback on your
stories. When you’ve written the best story you can, submit it. You can’t get
published if you never submit, and you never know when your first acceptance
will arrive.
I wrote
my own “how to write” book, You Can Write—Really! A
Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction. It’s a
fun guide that walks beginning writers through every step of the process. I
also created two online writing courses on Teachable: Fiction
Writing for Beginners and Fiction
Basics: Finding Ideas. Readers can learn
more about them in the non-fiction section of my site: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/non-fiction
Can
you share with us something off your bucket list?
I
don’t have an official bucket list, but I do have a list of places I’d like to
visit. One of them is Easter Island.
What’s more fun to write and why: Steamy romance novel or a gory
horror story?
They are both fun to write, but right now I’m focusing on horror.
My horror fiction is more psychological/scary than gory, and the stories are
much shorter than my romances. I have fun writing horror because I can explore
plots, characters, and ideas in horror that I can’t in a romance. And I get to
scare people!
Speaking of horror… here’s a look at Nightmare
in the North.
It’s cold
outside, and now is the perfect time to read Nightmare in the North — a cautionary
tale about traveling alone in the winter…
NIGHTMARE IN THE
NORTH
Stranded
during a violent blizzard, Mark hikes to the only house nearby. George, a
well-mannered University professor, welcomes Mark and gives him shelter from
the storm.
By morning,
Mark suspects that everything isn’t what it seems. George’s adult daughter,
Kate, who also lives in the house, shares a disturbing and unsettling tale.
When questioned, George insists that Kate has a psychological issue and can’t
be trusted to tell the truth.
Mark quickly finds himself caught in a game of
cat and mouse. Who should he believe? Is Kate’s desperate plea for help
sincere? Should he be suspicious of George? Or are both of them plotting
something together?
Isolated
from everyone, Mark is forced to wait out the storm—and find a way to escape—if
he hopes to make it out alive.
Order your copy here:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G9QD45X
All other platforms: https://www.books2read.com/u/m2vqOk
Read
a 5 star review for Nightmare in the North here:
https://www.kelliwilkins.com/nightmare-in-the-north
If readers want to learn more about the
making of this disturbing story, I wrote a blog about it:
https://www.kelliwilkins.com/post/celebrate-women-in-horror-month-with-a-nightmare-in-the-north
What’s on the horizon for you?
Currently, I’m revising
a contemporary paranormal mystery, outlining a new gay romance, and working on
several short horror stories.
I welcome
questions and feedback from readers. I enjoy learning which characters and
books they love the best. Readers and other authors can get in touch with me
via the contact page on my website (www.KelliWilkins.com) or via these
social media links:
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins
Facebook Horror Fiction: https://www.facebook.com/HorrorFictionbyKelliAWilkins/
Twitter:
www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor
Amazon
Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/kelliwilkins
Happy Reading,
Kelli A. Wilkins
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
Kelli A. Wilkins
is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20
romance novels, 6 non-fiction books, and 2 online writing courses. Her romances
span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror
stories.
In October 2020,
Kelli’s horror story “The Uninvited” was published in the Halloween Horror Vol. 2 anthology.
This tale about a children’s Halloween party gone horribly wrong is one of her
favorites.
Her unsettling
short story, “What the Peeper Saw” appeared in Madame Gray’s Creep Show
anthology in October 2020.
Earlier in 2020
Kelli published Love, Lies & Redemption, a western romance set in 1877
Nebraska. This novel blends a sensual love story with mystery and danger.
She released Romance
Every Weekend: 104 Fun Ways to Express Your Love, a non-fiction guide
to romance in 2019. The book features 104 fun and easy ways you can express
your love to that special someone in your life. Perfect for men or women, it focuses on tender,
everyday gestures that let your partner know how much you love him or her.
Kelli
published Extraterrestrial Encounters, a collection of
18 sci-fi stories, in 2019. If you like horror fiction, don’t
miss her disturbing novella, Nightmare in the North.
Not
just an author, Kelli is also an amateur photographer. Visit her pages on Shutterstock
https://www.shutterstock.com/g/kelli+wilkins and iStock https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/kelliwilkins to
view her photos.
Kelli posts on her
Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor.
Visit her website/blog
www.KelliWilkins.com to
learn more about all of her writings.
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