Interview with Emma Kathryn

Emma Kathryn

Interview Date: 6/12/2012

Biography

Emma Kathryn is a horror writer from Glasgow, Scotland. She has had several short stories published in various anthologies in the USA, Canada and the UK and has recently published her first eBook “Glitter and Trauma”. Her main obsessions include horror films and books, fantasy, music, comics and baking.
Emma has been writing since she could grasp a pencil and hasn’t stopped since. Reading has always been important to her and she has been described as a serial binge-reader by those close to her. She is also a practising Pagan and loves mythology, folk and fairy tales.
She is rather tiny and rather mad.


When did you start writing, and was there a significant event that prompted you to do so?

I’ve always been a writer, since I could grasp a pencil. My first pieces were toy story fan fiction when I was about 7. But I guess I got serious at about 17. Then in 2010 I started publishing short stories and the rest is history.

Kev's response: Aww, horror sounded much more fun. Now you write history? >;P


If you could have one superpower, what would it be? (Assuming said power would be reasonably "powerful.")

I’m going to go traditional and say telepathy – very Jean Grey. Although being able to something flashy with energy, a la Gambit, would be wicked.

Kev's response: He's got a fun power, it's too bad the idea fizzled for a Gambit movie.


Do you have a favorite superhero from novels, comics, or movies?

Batman. I don’t even have to think about it. I think it’s the dark, gothic elements that I love the most. He’s probably the hero who has had the biggest impact on me, too. I was pretty young when the Burton Batman films came out and I was obsessed with them, as well as the accompanying cartoon series. Some of my favourite graphic novels are all the Bats, too. “The Long Halloween” is one of my favourite books. It’s damn near perfect. I’m also a huge fan of Harley Quinn. She’d my second favourite.

Kev's response: *Marks note to self: subject prefers and identifies with individuals with mental problems...*


Where do you get your inspiration for writing? What motivates you?

Music and art. Sometimes when I hear a song, I can see how a story would fit to it. Most of my stories are born of songs or pieces of music. Fantasy art is a huge influence, too. Especially when I was in my teens. I would look at an image and the character would just make sense to me and I’d have to write it. That probably sounds really hippy dippy, doesn’t it?

Kev's response: Not at all, I get ideas from music as well. I suppose it also depends on the art. Some fantasy art would be more fun than others to write about.


Do you pre-plan your stories, or are you a by-the-seat-of-the-pants style writer?

Short stories, nope, no planning at all. As for bigger projects, I make up a playlist of songs that seem to fit the piece or inspire me and I use that as a plan to keep me on track. More often than not, stories grow arms and legs and you lose control of them. That’s the best type of writing: the kind that writes itself.

Kev's response: So long as you can find it in the morning!


Do you have a favorite genre to write in? To read?

Horror. It used to be fantasy but, as I got more into horror, it kind of took over. I’m rather gothic, I think, and that’s what I’ve always enjoyed reading and writing, it just jumped between gothic fantasy and gothic horror at some point along the way.

Kev's response: Works for me, especially with one set of "villains" in my superhero series being Goth mutants!


What do you enjoy the most about writing?

The characters. I love creating a character and seeing how they turn out. I love hearing that someone has taken a liking to one of my characters. I’ve had a few people say that they particularly love Leech from “Glitter and Trauma” and that’s nice to hear.


Is there any part of writing that you don't enjoy?

When I lose the drive for it. I’m a teacher, full-time, and sometimes when I come home, I’m too knackered to write. And I hate that because the imagination and the ideas are still there but I don’t have the energy. That’s something you really need for writing: energy and passion. With a full-time job, you lose one of those things and it really sucks. My biggest dream is to write full-time and ditch the day job.

Kev's response: I can't say as I know what knackered is, but it sounds naughty. >;D (Just kidding, part of me knows, I simply refuse to acknowledge that personality at the moment!)


Can you tell me something odd about yourself?

I’m a Pagan. That’s not really odd though, more a fact, really!

Kev's response: I'm friends with quite a few Pagans. Good people, and nope, no more odd than anyone else I know.


Do you write one story at a time, or do you have several novels in the works at one time?

Oh I write way too many projects on the go at once. I’m really scatter-brained and flaky, so if I get bored or stuck with a project, I move on. I always come back to what I’ve started, though. Sometimes a few years later.

Kev's response: *Note to self: subject appears to have temporal issues...*


I'm looking to advertise for evil minions for my plot to take over the world, any suggestions?

Hamsters. No-one would see it coming.

Kev's response: Ack! But they'd always be under foot!


Where do you see the future as far as paper books versus digital e-books?

Paper books will never die. EBooks do have a future but hopefully it’ll be hand-in-hand with paper books. Nothing beats a really pretty hardcover book signed by the author. Why would we give that up?

Kev's response: I could see a future where hardcovers are what remain of the paper book world, where readers who love an e-book enough get it to display on a shelf. I'm a technomancer, though. e-Books all the way!


What are your current projects?

Just finished a short story collection called “Puppets and Dolls”. As well as that, I’m juggling 3 novels. A huge, dark fantasy Alice-in-Wonderland-type-thingy called “The Other Side”. A young adult werewolf novel set where I grew up in Glasgow. And finally, a full “Glitter and Trauma” novel. I should learn to focus on one thing at a time, really.

Kev's response: *Note to self: subject has potential multiple personalities, believes herself to be in a circus act, and likes creepy dolls...* You know, you've just given me an idea for a story. I might call it "The Back Side." It'll be about butts, or a butt. Maybe a doll's butt. >:D


Do you have any advice for others about self-publishing?

Go for it. I’m not saying throw your opus out into the void, but definitely use it as a stepping stone. Find a market, find an audience and show the world what you can do.


Do you have any online sites where readers can find out more about you (and your books)?

My blog: http://bewarethevampirebunnies.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/GirlofGotham
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Glitter-and-Trauma-ebook/dp/B007UJ6GNE/ref=dp_olp_1

Kev's response: Emma, thank you so much for bringing out my snark. It was stuck in the closet for a while, but now that it's free, it can rampage through the neighborhood! Good fortune on your many projects!



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