Interview with K. McCoy
Published 2016-10-13.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grow up in a sleepy small town called Fort Myers, FL.
My writing hasn't been influenced by where I grew up - at least I don't think it has.
When did you first start writing?
I want to say that I started writing small bits of poetry in....'96? '97?
Not quite sure of the year, but when I wrote my first short story and I said to myself, "Hey - I may be good enough to call myself an author someday!" was in 2014.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Wow! This one takes me back a bit :-)
The first official short story that I had ever written was back in middle school.
It was for a homework assignment - something about a little girl wanting a sleigh for Christmas and her family not being able to afford one. Then on a dark and stormy night (I know how cliche that sounds, but that's how it happened in my story!) a stranger came to their home in need of help and the family offers him shelter for the night. The next morning he leaves and as a token of thanks he gives them a red shiny sleigh. I was all for happy coincidences and endings back in the day.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
The never ending need to share my experiences, feelings, and thoughts with the world is what motivated me to become an indie author.
Writing has always been a creative outlet for me, and over the years I have wanted to connect with others through my work. And in order to do that you have to eventually put yourself out there.
So once I accepted that truth (and faced the fears that came along with that) I started my journey to becoming an indie author.
What is your writing process?
My writing process is so random!
I have at least half a dozen story concepts and not quite finished poems saved on my phone at any give time because of my randomness.
Sometimes I get stuck on a story and have to go to one of my think tanks - the beach, the park, or my favorite local brewery and just sit with whatever I have written so far until inspiration finds me.
Most of the time I start writing when my mind is struck with an idea, or a thought refuses to leave my head.
And I swear - most of my best work comes to me when I'm walking somewhere or on the city bus heading home.
It is all at random, but I love my writing process.
What's the story behind your latest book?
My latest book is a small collection of poems and short stories that I feel best summarizes my feelings right now. Who I am, how I think, and how I see things at this point in my life. So to answer your question, the story in my latest book is all about me :-)
What are you working on next?
My next book is one that I have been working on for years now.
It's a story about a girl trying to pursue her dreams without completely losing herself in the process.
And I am so excited about sharing this story!
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I visit my friends, go to the beach, do a little yoga, or just stay home and watch Chinese and/or Korean dramas from my laptop computer :-)
My closest friends are all excellent cooks, so if I'm visiting them I know that a good meal is coming my way (and a game or two of 'Cards Against Humanity' too - LOL)
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