Today, I am thrilled to be bringing you an interview with fantasy author Cloey Kinney. Cloey was born in Fredericton New Brunswick, Canada. She is an author, aspiring screenwriter, and freelance journalist. Kinney is the author of the ongoing 'King's Guard' series, as well as a top ten finalist for the national 'Write For a Better World' writing contest. Cloey is currently a student at Toronto Film School.
Tell me about yourself
Hey, Hayley! Thank you so much for having me on. I’m a young adult author from a town in New Brunswick, so small that I’m pretty sure the deer population outnumber the people. I’m a writer, film student, and aspiring Californian.
How long have you been writing?
It feels so weird to say that it’s now been seven years! Since the beginning of middle school, if not sooner.
What inspired you to write your chosen genre?
I’m drawn to the fantasy genre because of how much you can tease your world building boundaries. Magic, magical creatures, kingdoms and operations etc… Anything can happen, and it’s the limitless of fantasy that has always drawn me in.
Tell me about your book titled ‘Court of Monsters’.
Court of Monsters is probably the only title that hits the plot on the head. (It’s a tale of reconciliation after the events of Pearl of Meissa. When we last saw Sebastian and Althea in a rather stressful scenario, that makes us wonder what’s in store for her and her fiancé when so much new romance is teased.) 'Court of Monsters' brings the gang into a new kingdom full of the very monster Althea was born to kill, which she’s since found out makes up half her heritage. It’s an exciting second instalment full of forbidden love, war, and coming to terms with secrets revealed.
Are you working on anything at the moment?
I’m working on a couple of projects, one of which I’m hoping to bring into the world later this year. My major project is 'Sands of Time', the third and final instalment of 'The King’s Guard' series.
If you could tell your younger writing self-anything, what would it be?
Your world isn’t going to shatter if an agent doesn’t like your work. Sure, it’s disappointing, but the publishing industry is so subjective. Follow your heart. Put the work into it. Self-publishing is such an up-and-coming industry that anyone and everyone is capable of. Go for it!
What does literary success look like to you?
Internal fulfilment, mainly. Two years ago, I might’ve said being represented by an agent. But I’ve since been fortunate enough to learn that your success isn’t dictated by someone else’s interest in it. It’s your devotion and results produced by determination and unyielding commitment.
Are you a plotter or a panster?
I consider myself a chronic plotter. But not successfully. I should show you the notebook I keep on hand full of ideas that are unrelated, messy, out of order, and almost indecipherable. They make sense to nobody but me, and sometimes not even then. Plotting is a way to organize these thoughts into a somewhat coherent novel. But I do fall prey to my novel taking on a life of its own and changing direction halfway through a chapter. I can plot all I want, but it never comes out exactly as I plan it.
What advice would you give a new author?
The only thing required to publish a book is that you believe in it. So long as you do, no reader, agent, or blogger can tell you otherwise. You’re always going to be your biggest critic and biggest supporter. There are no rules to writing except that—you’re always going to be the biggest fanatic for your book.
What do you like to do when not writing?
Write. I wish I was lying, but I have a minimal social life outside of my books. As a film student, I’m honour bound to regularly go to the cinema and read screenplays. So my free time is occupied by watching movies and writing them… as well as obsessing over my favourite indie reads.
Thank you to Cloey for sharing with us. If you would like to check out Cloey's work, click on the links below.
Comments