Welcome once again Wordy Wednesday fans (and new readers) to our regular Wednesday author interview, This week our writer is Kit Small. Let us begin with the basics and ask Kit to tell us about herself and her books...
I'm a Brighton based independent author with a background in publishing. Having always been a little on the odd side, I chose to focus on the supernatural and horror genres whilst at university, where I studied Media Writing and discovered Kelley Armstrong, Charlaine Harris, Neil Gaiman and H.P Lovecraft.
Do you have another job or are you a full time author? If you do something else (international spy?) what is it and do you like it?
International spy? Why, what have you heard?
My secret identity is that of a corporate e-learning designer. I take training programs from organisations who wish to train their staff in anything from Health and Safety to The Latest Products and shape it into a piece of engaging e-learning. Though part of a larger team, my role is to re-script client content and set the flow of the new learning. It's a great job for feeding my natural curiosity, no two clients or projects are the same and so I feel like I'm always learning something new at the same time as keeping my writing skills sharp.
When did you start writing?
I started writing at the age of 13. Entering my teens had brought with it a new-found love of music and after creating a chapter by chapter or song by song story in my mind off the back of one of my favourite compilation tapes, I decided to write it down. One hundred pages later I had the start of a new obsession.
What 3 things are guaranteed to make you smile?
1. My family
2. Music
3. Rollercoasters - I have been called a Coaster Nerd on many occasions Oh my gosh I adore roller coasters, proper love them! Coaster nerds rule!
Do you have any pets?
I don't currently have any pets of my own but I do babysit my sisters two cats when she's away - and having tried to write around them once, I won't try it again. Cat's can be so demanding!
Who is your favourite author?
My favourite author, no matter how old I get, will always be Roald Dahl. The realm of the reader only became of interest to me after 'Danny Champion of the World' was read aloud to my class in instalments in junior school. After that I read everything I could get my hands on, even some of his short stories for grown-ups, and dug deeper into the school library. I'll still return to his books from time to time, the last being 'Matilda'.
Which book(s) are you reading at the moment?
I'm actively trying to work through my Audible library at the moment so I'm listening to 'Misery' by Stephen King. I've failed to read King's novels in the past so I'm listening to 'Misery' whilst walking to and from work. Having made it over three quarters of the way through, I'm realising that I've given up too early on previous works I've picked up and may need to add them to my Audible list! I adore Audible, I listen on my previously boring drive to work, now I can get through a book a fortnight just on my commute!
Where do you do most of your writing?
I'd like to be able to say 'In my writing room of course!' having set up a desk in a spare room last summer, but that would be a lie. I tend to ignore the desk in favour of writing from the comfort of my bed when at home. But I get the most words down in my lunch breaks at work, emailing the next instalment to myself before returning to my daily tasks. As far as I see it, I'm already comfortable, at a desk, I'm awake, I might have tea to hand...why not.
Tell us about the character that you've written that you like the most - no spoilers!
Lorna Sanderson is the character who started it all and she's still there and developing. In 'Blue Fire' she had her ups and downs but the changes she began to take throughout 'Angeling' makes for some very exciting opportunities to explore her more in 'Alphas' which is in progress.
What is your favourite biscuit?
Chocolate Digestives sprang to mind instantly, but a little voice is asking 'What about the Bourbon?' so I think I'd best say A Chocolate One.
Tea or Coffee?
Tea.
In the film of your life who would play you?
I'm really not sure about this one, I started thinking of red haired actresses, Emma Stone? Amy Adams? Hmm, not quite right, perhaps my pretty bonkers outlook on life would be better in the hands of someone like Rebel Wilson.
If you could genetically cross an animal and a vegetable, what would you pick and why?
The first thing that sprang to mind was a horse and broccoli, a green horse with fluffy florets for its mane and tail? Why not?
Find Kit on Amazon and buy her latest book Angeling there.
Follow her on twitter too
Thanks to Kit for answering my silly questions, if you have other silly things to ask her do leave them below in the comments or plague her on twitter. Until next week, keep reading!
