Interview with Katica Locke
Published 2013-09-15.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
The first story that I really remember was when I was about nine years old. The story was about a dragon, a unicorn, and a dwarf on some kind of adventure. So clearly, fantasy was in my blood from an early age.
What is your writing process?
It all starts with an idea. That idea could be a short scene, a theme, a character, a bit of dialogue, or a setting. Usually, I'll let that little idea sit for a while to see if it will grow into a story. Then I sit down and outline. I haven't always done this step, and sometimes I still fly by the seat of my pants for short stories, but I've found I have better rate of completion for stories that I have an outline for. It's like a map, showing me where I planned to go. I don't always follow it, and sometimes I usually revise the outline as I write, but I like to have one before I start writing.
Once the outline is finished, I write the first draft. When that's done, I like to walk away from the project for a while, so I can come back to it with fresh eyes. Then it's time for editing and revision. I usually do three edits: one for content, one for grammar, and one for typos.
After that, I let it sit for another while, then come back to do formatting and cover art, to ready it for publishing. This whole process can take anywhere from a couple of months for short stories to a couple of years for novels. It took me five years to write, edit, and publish 'Broken Wings'.
What do your fans mean to you?
They mean everything! I write for myself initially, because I have all these people and places and ideas in my head that just have to get out, but I get so many ideas, if I didn't have my fans, I'd never finish anything. I finish stories for them. I polish and edit my work for them. I publish for them (which is why I have so many free stories on my website).
My fans give me confidence in my abilities and enthusiasm for my work. They are the proof that I'm not just flinging words into the void, I'm reaching people, communicating, sharing, entertaining. My fans show me that I'm doing matters.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Honestly, it's everything involved. I love brainstorming, daydreaming, and woolgathering my characters and setting into life. I love outlining and creating the structure that will hold the characters and settings. I love writing and seeing these daydreams be fleshed out, as vivid in my mind as a painting on canvas. I love publishing and presenting my creation to the world.
If I had to pick a part that often gave me the most trouble, it would be the actual writing. Sitting down every day and putting one word after another 100,000 times. Finding the right words. Keeping the characters 'in character'. Avoiding cliches. Writing with passion that can stir the emotions of my readers. That's the hardest part, but I still love it.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I've wanted to be an author since I was about nine, and a few years ago that dream came true when I had my first novel picked up by a small press publisher. It was a great experience and taught me so much about the process. Unfortunately, that publisher closed last year, but it left me with an established fanbase. I considered looking for another publisher, but decided to try self-publishing when I considered how much stress I was under during the publishing process. I have social anxiety, so dealing with editors and cover artists--which wouldn't bother most people--was very stressful for me. I'd rather do everything myself, even if I can't do it as well as a professional, that lose sleep worrying about things I can't control.
What's the story behind your latest book?
Latest published book or the story I'm working on now? Either way, it's pretty much the same since I'm working on the sequel to the book I most recently published. 'Broken Wings' and 'Moonlight' are actually a result of the 'Harry Potter' craze and all the amateur fiction it inspired. I remember reading a forum thread somewhere that basically said the magic school storyline was cliche and overdone and couldn't make a good story. So I decided to prove that that wasn't true. Whether I succeeded or not is up to the readers, but considering that the vast majority of the 1,700 reviews that 'Broken Wings' has gotten on FictionPress are complimentary, and my two Amazon reviews are both five stars, I feel like I at least came close to my goal.
What are you working on next?
Well, right now I have several projects in the works. Typically I try to avoid this because it makes it harder to finish any one project, but sometimes it can't be helped. I'm writing 'Moonlight', the sequel to 'Broken Wings', and 'Dragon Bait', an erotic dragon/human adventure/romance.
I'm also working on getting 'Breach' and 'Magebound' ready for publishing. Both need a little revision and some 'bonus features' added, like character bios, informative articles, and exclusive short stories.
And I'm working on an outline for a Christmas story that I hope to have done before the holidays. I better get to work on that one, lol.
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Books by This Author
Spellwrought
by Katica Locke
(3.00 from 1 review)
"There is no such thing as evil magic, there are only evil mages."
Spellwrought continues the story of Lark, an abused slave bought by the Traxen Mage to run his magic shop. As Lark delves deeper into his master's past, he can't deny that Sactaren has committed his share of atrocities, but a man's past does not dictate his future, does it?
Magebound
by Katica Locke
(3.00 from 1 review)
Inexplicably drawn to his master, Lark struggles against his own fears and desires as he works side by side with the seductive mage. Never has he been so enchanted by anyone, which raises a frightening question: Would Lord Sactaren bewitch his slave in order to lure him into his bed?
In a world where sex is magic and lust is power, can Lark trust what he feels, or has he simply been Magebound?
Christmas Confessions: Dragon Lover
by Katica Locke
As Andrew and Sydney celebrate their first Christmas together, a startling confession throws their seemingly perfect relationship into chaos. On a night of magic and miracles, the two soul mates discover the power of unconditional love and acceptance.
Contains explicit M/M dragon/human sex.
Faerie Christmas
by Katica Locke
The lives of two men - one a lonely werecourgar, the other an abused faerie slave - intersect unexpectedly thanks to a spur-of-the-moment Christmas gift. One wants to go home, the other wants a Master to love him; can they both find what they seek in each other, or will cultural differences keep them apart?
Breach
by Katica Locke
(5.00 from 1 review)
When Roan Echarn, a young man with a terrible secret, accidentally steps off the train in Devaen, he is forced to put himself in the reluctant employ of Ishaan Darvis, a wealthy recluse whose tragic past is anything but secret.
Can an incubus and a sexsomniac build a relationship based on sex, secrets, and lies?