It’s still Blog Hop Monday around here and as part of my agreement to hop, I have to answer four questions. I didn’t want to give you eyestrain talking about myself since all of my wonderful authors had so much going on.

Now, however, it’s afternoon, and I’m certain you’ve all had your naps and brunch and tea, so you’re ready for me to talk about me.

Q&A time.

1. What am I working on?

Currently, I’m working on the sequel to Reflection Pond, titled Poison Tree. This is a continuation of Callie and Rowan’s story as they struggle to save Eirensae and everyone they love. In addition to Poison Tree, I’m also working on a manuscript titled Sleep and Shatter, which is about a princess who wakes up to find her entire kingdom slaughtered.

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

As everyone knows, I write young adult. The great thing about YA is that it explores a whole lot of adult subjects. I like to think that my work doesn’t hold back. I’m not afraid to get into the “sticky” and “taboo” subjects. You should always write in a way that scares you, and I always try to remember that when I sit in front of my computer. I want to cross the lines. I had a reviewer for Antithesis say that some of the scenes were too steamy for her, my response to that? Good. Reading isn’t just about escaping, it should teach you something, make you feel, force you to question things. It certainly shouldn’t make you comfortable. So I always try to write true. I don’t want to sugar coat. I don’t want to be reluctant. It’s something I’m always working on.

3. Why do I write what I write?

I’ve answered this question so many times, and my answer always remains the same. Writing YA is a lot like living as a young adult. You can get away with more. Everything is heightened, every emotional response feels 100 times richer, 100 times more devastating. I can take more chances and reap bigger rewards with YA. There are no limits.

4. How does my writing process work?

Process? Ha! I’m a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of girl. I don’t write every day, but I do something writing related every day, whether it be reading, editing, blogging, or being active in social media. Writing is organic for me. I have to feel it. If I’m not in the mood, it won’t happen, and I’m the queen of distraction. So when I get in a mood to write, the words come in torrents, but if I’m not, literally nothing will happen.
Once I’ve got my manuscript completed, it goes through an initial edit, which involves me printing it out and going after it with a pen, usually pink or purple (though sometimes red). Then I send it out to beta readers and do a complete overhaul to fix anything and everything. Then the process starts all over again until I think the book is done. It’s done when I say it is. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise. You know your work. You say when it’s ready. Otherwise you’ll never submit or publish anything, only edit it to death.

So there you have it. All about ME, and also about all those other authors I talked about earlier. Happy Blog Hop Monday.

Go buy my book.

Kacey