Interview with Krystal O'Brien

Krystal O'Brien

Interview Date: 7/13/2012

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

I’ve really always written things, even when I was in the early stages of Primary School, I think my mother still has a class report from 4th grade where my teacher had said I’d be a great Author one day! I think I really started writing in a serious manner a few years ago however, my friends all kept telling me to take my role playing and turn it into a book…so I have.


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

Shape Shifting, hands down. I have a deep love for all kinds of animals so to be able to literally walk in their paws, fly on their wings and swim in their scales etc would be amazing. Plus think of the fun you could have and how you could secretly help others with such a power.

Kev's response: I can think of a lot of awesome uses for this power. For designing superheroes, it's actually one of the "too-powerful" powers, that requires limitations or the person just owns everything and everyone.


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

Hah I don’t think I have just one, I watch movies almost as much as I read books; which is quite a bit. But I suppose if I was to choose just one I’d have to say Maggie Furey’s character Aurian, from The Artefacts of Power novels. She might not be a ‘superhero’ in the Wolverine/Green Lantern/Batman sense, but what she does throughout the saga has always left me in awe.

Kev's response: Very cool. No reason to stick with the "old standards." :)


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

Hmm, this is kind of a tough one as I get inspiration from a wide variety of things, mainly the animal/creature role playing I do with my friends, listening to different kinds of music or just hanging out with my pets. It also help motivate me, get me in the mood to get things done when something suddenly pops into mind.


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

To be honest I doubt I’ve pre-planned anything I’ve ever written, nor will I. I love to just let the stories come out as they want, you can always go back later and fix things that are out of place once you’re done.

Kev's response: That's a fun style or method of writing. For my own, if I don't pre-plan to a degree, my story plots don't interact as they could have, and it requires a LOT of rewriting that can be saved.


Do you write only when inspired, or do you have a set schedule where you sit down to write?

A bit of both really. I do study so sometimes I have to schedule my writing around that, other times I just write whenever inspiration hits me…which is usually late at night when sleep is needed!


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

One word…Fantasy. It was the first genre I ever actually read as a child; my mother gave me her copy of Aurian to read and after that I was hooked. From there I knew I wanted to write Fantasy stories, no matter how big or short they are, it’s an endless opportunistic genre that can spread through so many others.


What do you enjoy the most about writing?

I enjoy the fact that you can start something that seems to be so simple and by then end there’s this whole world you’ve created, characters you love and hate all at once, and the feeling of accomplishment at the end of it all.

Kev's response: =D


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

Well that’s easy, something I think all writer’s hate; BLOCKAGE! It comes right at the worst times and once you have it, it tends to stick like glue for a good while.


Can you tell me something odd about yourself?

Well I’m a Furry, many people say that’s odd; they also say a great deal of other things about Furry’s but I won’t divulge into that. It’s all who you know and how open-minded you are. Just like anything else in life.

Kev's response: All I know is that I think I'd like you at my next Halloween party. Wild is good.


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

A bit of both I think. Sometimes I’ll have two or three in the works and sometimes I’ll just have one big story to write up. It all depends on how I feel and how busy life is around me.


In my evil plot to take over the world, what one animal type do you advise I use and why?

A Dragon…what else could you use?! They are the ultimate mythical/mystical/magical being, no matter the situation you’re in you need to have a Dragon. And contrary to popular belief they are very much always around, you just have to know where to look.

Kev's response: Aye, finding the darn things is a real pain in the backside!


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

Digital e-books are good for people who travel a lot, or for those who don’t have a great deal of space for their own library. But at the end of the day there’s nothing like opening up a new book, the feel of the paper, the smell of it. It’s just too addictive…you all know what I mean!


What are your current projects?

Right now and for the most part, editing my first novel; Tineifrinn Tales: Future Past Clash, to where I’m happy with it also getting time to hook into the second novel around that. Other than those I have a novelette in the works called Were-Wolves Roam. I also take requests for flash fiction/short stories from a couple of art sight I’m on like Deviant Art.


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

If it’s right for you go for it, it seems to be a growing path to take and the results can often be unbelievable, self-publishing can take you anywhere, you just need to stick to your guns.

Kev's response: Aw, man. I hate when my guns stick to me. They won't go in their holster. It's just a pain overall!


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

I do yes. You can find a majority of my stories on Fur Affinity- http://www.furaffinity.net/user/tineifrinntales/ I also have an account with Deviant Art as I said (you can also see the drawings I do there too)- http://sianblackperil.deviantart.com/ There’s one for SoFurry- http://sianblackperil.sofurry.com/ Or you can find my Author page on Facebook- https://http://www.facebook.com/SianTineifrinn And lastly Twitter- https://twitter.com/#!/SianTineifrinn

Kev's response: Krystal, thank you much for joining me! Good luck with Tineifrinn Tales, I hope you get it out soon!



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