Molly:
I read and reviewed your book "The Thoughtmaster's Conduit". Excellent, entertaining work! Would you tell us why you choose the setting you did for this particular work?

Kerry:
You know, Molly, I'm not sure if I can. The setting just came from my mind; the world seemed to suit the characters I was creating and just felt like something I wanted to build. I love fantasy because you can create the world you want and people it with the people you chose, and good nearly always triumphs in the end. The adversity, the beliefs, you make them as you wish, as you see fit. It is quite fun, so much different than working within the constraints of the 'real world'.

Molly:
Interesting answer! Kerry, how much time did you spend doing background research and what did it involve?

Kerry:
I did a lot of research on magic and how it works and belief systems from medieval times. Some research on time. It is time consuming but with fantasy most of what you write comes from your own mind, so the focus is on making your world believable, a real place to the reader. You have to have laws, belief systems, values, everything we have, so that the reader can suspend belief and be there with the characters, see it as a real place.

Molly:
That certainly comes through in "The Thoughtmaster's Conduit". Do your characters 'come alive' as you are writing Kerry? Do they seem to take over and direct the tale as you go along?

Kerry:
Yes, I think they do. I draw them up before I even begin writing, giving them personalities, quirks, beliefs and pasts. Once I begin writing, their personalities develop and direct what I would like to happen to them, a certain amount anyway. The better I get to know them, the more dimensions I can add to who they are and what motivates them. I have to be able to see them as 'real' people or creatures, whatever they are, it's the same.

Molly:
Kerry, please tell us what inspires you to write?

Kerry:
A wild imagination. I have always had an extreme amount of imagination. I always say, can you imagine what that would be like- whenever I hear a story or something on the news, and I do imagine it. It gives me empathy and the ability to build my own worlds in my mind, to create my own people and place them in those very situations. To end the situation as I would like it to end. As a child I used to make up conversations in my head all the time, create stories and people. I used to start my dreams off, to take them where I wanted to go.

Molly:
how long did it take for you to get published?

Kerry:
Years. It is really an industry where perseverance pays off. You have to pay your dues, so to speak. Most of us, authors, in the beginning, submit work that is not of publishable quality. It takes time and rejection after rejection, and critique after critique to learn how to edit a novel to a quality piece, to something readers will enjoy. Every time you are rejected it is a learning experience, you've gained something. I was fortunate, I never had a nasty rejection. Every rejection came with encouragement and advice that led me to where I am now. Even now, I look at "Thoughtmaster" and see room for improvement, improvement I will make before the print paperback version comes out in July. In the novel I am working on now, I am putting to use every piece of advice, every recommendation and every bit of feedback I have received from readers. You must be able to accept criticism and advice to get there.

Molly:
Spoken like a pro! Kerry, please tell us something about yourself, about your life.

Kerry:
I grew up in Calgary, Alberta Canada. I had an interesting life growing up as my father trained racehorses, so I spent much of my life at the racetrack. I used to ride myself. I have deep love for animals and nature. I have had a difficult past which in many ways has helped my writing, I think, given me a real feel for people and what makes them tick. I was adopted as a baby and have recently met my biological family, which was very interesting for me. My natural parents are actually married to each other and I have two sisters. As a young adult I developed lupus and have had to deal with that and the affect it has on my body. I am doing quite well at this point in my life and am pleased. I have a wonderful husband and great kids. I feel quite blessed to have been given the opportunity in life to share what I love to do and even better, to have people enjoy what I'm sharing. I was nervous at first at the prospect of publishing a book in e-book format but I am quite glad I did now. I think it is a great technology. I admit, however, to being quite excited about the paperback version coming out this summer.

Molly:
Can't say as I blame you at all. You are an interesting gal and have an interesting life. What is in your future?

Kerry:
Well, Molly, I hope to continue writing for as long as I can. I have another fantasy nearing completion as we speak, and I have a murder mystery in the works as well. I write my poetry as I am moved to do so. Being able to do this is a great gift, and something I cherish. I am lucky to have had the support at home that I am able to do this. I am even more fortunate to be able to continue now that my first novel is out.

Molly:
Can you tell us what are you writing at the moment?

Kerry:
The book I am working on now, is called, Circlet of Credence. It is another fantasy and the main character in this novel is a woman. I like to write in strong women, and in this book in particular I plan to make the female leads very strong. I think it is an interesting concept and a unique approach to fantasy. Those who have read the completed parts are quite excited about it, as am I. The murder mystery is on the back burner but intend to continue with it. I do love the genre.

Thanks for interviewing me, Molly and for reading Thoughtmaster. I hope many more people will read and enjoy it and my future works.

Molly:
Thank you for a most interesting interview! I look forward to reading Circlet of Credence.

Kerry can be found at this website: www.kerryorchard.com