Interview with Keya Jay

Published 2014-04-07.
Describe your desk
My desk is full of papers, multi-colored pens ~I absolutely hate to write with pencils, you'll never see a pencil in my possession unless I am drawing~ and probably some snack I had the night before but never finished. (:D)
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in a not so safe area but I wouldn't want to move because my mother's mother lived there and then my mother and now hopefully one of us, so I would like more than anything to be the one to take up residence there.
When did you first start writing?
I've started writing in 5th grade, my English teacher Mrs. Werner saw potential and made sure I gave her an update and I never stopped ever since.
What's the story behind your latest book?
Umm Azalea Green has a green thumb, she's a very powerful Elemental but doesn't fully know it yet, but unfortunately that's not all she has.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
What motivated me would have to be my English teacher and the very first review I had ever received.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
I was able to publish my book to more than just friends and family and so they helped a lot with that.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Being able to create my won world and being able to make up my own rules where no one can tell me that it's wrong because it's my imagination.
What do your fans mean to you?
Everything! If it honestly weren't for them I have no clue if I would e able to do this, I would still write but it would never be seen or heard.
What are you working on next?
Well I have a lot of unfinished work and so I'll be working on that, the next book in question would have to be besides pt 2 of All That Remains it would have to be Purpose. It's a story about a group of whisperers. {all will be explained}
Who are your favorite authors?
I love P.C Cast & Kristin Cast, Becca Fitzpatrick, Josephine Dillon, Stephenie Meyer, and Stephen King, there's more but I decided to round it to my top 5.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
When I'm not writing I am doing one of three things, I am drawing, baking or taking care of some poor animal
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
The first story I ever wrote was title-less but I faintly remember what it was about, I still have it though and it's on my list of things to do I think I'm going to try to bring it to life.
What is your writing process?
Well my friend came up with this good technique when you can't figure out what to write next or when you just can't figure out what to write at all. I turn my music playlist on shuffle and write to whatever five songs come on hopefully getting something good that I could go off on. It truly helps.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
The first story I ever read would have to be Judy B. Jones I loved all of her stories and I remember being ecstatic when I finished it then going in to search for someone willing to sit down and listen to me tell them all about it.
How do you approach cover design?
I love deviantArt and so if I can't find a willing partner to design a cover for me I design it myself.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
My number one favorite is House of Night by P.C and Kristen Cast because it isn't predictable and tends to keep me rather interested. My second would have to be Under the Blue series by Josephine Dillon for nearly the same reason as House of Night, I love to be surprised and I love the fact that you can never truly guess what exactly is about to happen, though some of those surprises end in someone I liked dying (:[). My third would have to be Dangerous Element preservers by Alycia Linwood it was a book I found on smash words and I really enjoyed it, though the cliff hanger had me a bit on edge. Umm for the fourth I would have to go with Alexander Cooper Novels by Linda Fairstein I love a good suspense story. And the fifth which may come as a surprise to some would have to be The Shot by Philip Kerr it's a story about the murder of J.F.K and it was highly entertain-able.
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Books by This Author

A Whole New Me
Series: All That Remains, Part 1. Price: Free! Words: 53,130. Language: English. Published: October 8, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Fantasy
This is for all of my vampire and werewolf lovers out there and if there are any elemental lovers out there, this is for you too! Azalea Green went from a normal 17 year old girl, to the girl everyone now depends on to make the decision of a life time. She’s met with typical teenage problems and then there’s the problem of the future world she has to also deal with. How will she manage them both?
Purpose: Whisperer of Night
Price: Free! Words: 119,230. Language: English. Published: June 2, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Fantasy
There is a new kind of species called Whisperers; Wisps for short. Though they're different they are very much like every other human-minus the super natural abilities of course. But there is someone out there kidnapping and killing fellow Whisperers. Can the characters put their personal issues behind in order to get to the bottom of this? Or will they have to sacrifice one secret for another?