Kyle Shoop

My writing process requires that I first spend a lot of time researching the underlying subject of the novels. For book one, I spent a long time researching about many different animals and how their interesting facts could be woven into the story. (I will never again research tarantulas - I spent way to long staring at their pictures and videos for the book.) Same thing with the Seven Ancient Wonders for book two. I've typically spent a year doing the research and outlining the plot before I actually begin writing. Then, once I begin writing, it's another year or so to completion of the first draft.

This may be a surprise, but I actually don't do much, if any, reading in the genre in which I write - middle grade fantasy/adventure. I like to keep my books as free from influence from other books in my genre as possible. Much of what I read for pleasure are actually non-fiction books or articles. I think this comes from my background from when I received my undergrad degree in philosophy. I'm always looking for a good story with a well-developed character, big reveal, or interesting plot hook - so I'm not against reading any genre if it has any of those things.