Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
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Exclusive Interview with
Kevin P Hallett
When did you start writing?
January of 2015
What makes writing your passion?
There are so many things, including being the first to see the story evolve, solving the complexities of the plot, and having a forum to express your views.
How long have you been writing?
8 years
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
Was that really my book! Plus, gratitude to all those who helped me.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
I stumbled on my main character when writing a short story. I fell in love with her story and knew I hadn't given her enough coverage. So, the novelette became a novel, and then a series.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
Probably the marketing side. I just want to write and revise my stories; I enjoy reading other people's and giving feedback. But I don't like the marketing side.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
Lie on my bed and visualize the scene I'm struggling with until I'm pleased with it. Then get up and write it.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
Find the time of day when you like writing, then write often. And lastly, realize that the person critiquing your work is your best friend, because they will help you make your story stronger.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
I am what I am because of all my mistakes and successes. I wouldn't change a thing. So, I'd have no advice, my younger self will have to make those some mistakes again.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
Though I don't like seeing bad reviews, they are inevitable. I try to remember to treat good and bad reviews as imposters. What's important if how you feel based on the work you put into the story.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
It's always nicer, but I try not to get carried away.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
All the time. My life is full of interesting things, same as for everyone else. As an author I can add my experiences into the story to help bring the characters to life. And the older I get, the more experiences I have to incorporate.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
None are me entirely, and all of them contain a piece of me. Even the psychotic killer has some quirky habits of mine.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
Both are important. The cover gets the reader to open the book, the prose gets them to keep it open.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I love to chat about my writing, my stories, or my characters.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
Who is your favorite author? Why?
There are so many, but I give a special shout out to Robert Jordan for enticing me back into the world of fantasy.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
I don't know. I never thought along these lines. I don't want to emulate someone else, and I certainly can never hope to be like some of the great men and women from humanity's history.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
No. Not because they're perfect - they aren't. But because they are finished, and everything has to come to an end so we can move on to what's next.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
Get a better life!
What would you say to your readers?
I hope you enjoy my stories.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I live in Central Texas with my wife. We have three grown kids and four grandchildren. Originally, I'm from the English countryside.
What is your day job if you have one?
I still work in technology, but I'll retire soon to pursue fulltime writing.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
Write
Did you have a happy childhood?
I had a loving mother, but my father died when I was 5. My first stepfather was a mean cuss of a drunk. My second stepfather was a good man.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
I read some advice on writing from George R.R. Martin, and I said to myself, 'I can do that.'
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
I have an anthology of short stories that need some polishing.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
What is your favorite music?
Rock music, but classics when I'm writing.
Share a secret with us 🙂
I describe how my main character eats her apples. It is an accurate description of how I eat apples. I destroy them, seeds and all, leaving just the stem.