Author Interview - Kristina Streva
Kristina Streva grew up in Rockland County, New York. As a chronic daydreamer, she took up writing as a hobby and soon realized the magic in creating fantastical worlds. She loves museums, thrifting, movies, art, crafting, reading and all things creative.
Genre:
Young Adult Fantasy
Q&A
Q1: What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Inked! It has been a long-term goal of mine to become a published author. When the pandemic happened, the world slowed down and I decided to take the opportunity to finally accomplish that dream. My writing also allowed me to escape from the reality that was happening outside my window. I was able to build my own fantasy world, free from any pandemic.
Q2: When you’re writing an emotional or difficult scene, how do you set the mood?
The Inked is fairly light-hearted, … except for that whole battle to the death thing in the middle of my novel. I have some mild horror in my book which I found fun to write, as I tend to gravitate to the dark. Some might find these moments to be difficult scenes as they are more graphic than others.
I like to do my writing at the Starbucks located inside my local Barnes & Noble. Being surrounded by other books and having a nice snack and some coffee really sets the mood. I find it motivating to be encompassed by such creativity.
Q3: What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the author Christina Henry! She writes a ton of dark twists on common fairy tales, and I truly enjoy reading all her books. I’m also a recovering Twilight addict. Those books were a staple of my college years. #teamedwardforlife
Q4: Which of the characters do you relate to the most and why?
Tanis is the youngest sister in my book, and I find her to be the most relatable. She’s a bit silly and naïve, but also tends to be the peacekeeper of the group. I’m a Libra, so I definitely appreciate a gal who wants to keep the peace.
What I love most about her character in my novel, is that she goes from being slightly co-dependent on her sisters to finding her strength and voice to help them. I think it’s a bit of a shock to her as well, that when facing a challenge, she can overcome it.
Q5: What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?
Consistency is key. Just keep writing, even if you think it's terrible and you want to stop. First drafts aren't meant to be perfect. It's a steppingstone. Fine-tuning can come later, but if you never start, you can never finish.
Q6: How much research did you need to do for your book?
Since my book takes place in the ocean, I did have to look up some boating terms that I was unfamiliar with. I also used a thesaurus so I wouldn't be repeating the same words frequently. Additionally, I looked up videos of people expressing anger, sadness, and other emotions to see how I could better describe their facial expressions in my novel.
Q7: What was your hardest scene to write, and why?
I don’t have a particular scene, but I will say when you have multiple characters in one chapter, head hopping can become a problem. I struggled with this during my writing and had to make sure that I was keeping each chapter in one perspective so as not to confuse the reader.
Q8: What is your writing process like? Are you more of a plotter or a pantser?
I am a pantser! I don’t plan or plot anything out with my writing.
My best friend is also a writer and we have joked about this. She has notebooks filled to the brim with characters, arrows, and anything you can imagine that would help you organize. I prefer to just write as I go… keep the juices flowing. Anything that needs to be changed can be altered in draft two!
Q9: What are you working on now?
Book two of The Inked series!
Q10: What are you currently reading?
Shadow
in the Glass
by JJA Hardwood
Her
hair was beautiful, and much like that of the mermaids he had grown up with, it
was long and flowed behind her in the water as she moved. Yuri’s eyes met his,
and he held her gaze, staring at the stunning icy-blue that looked back at him.
He traced her pale complexion from her face down to her skinny arms, now held
bent and stiff against her hips.
“Do
you not know who I am?” He wore a cocky smile that hollowed into dimples at his
cheeks.
Yuri’s
brows furrowed. Her sharp glare stabbed at his ego, causing his dimpled smirk
to retreat from his face like a wounded soldier.
“Honestly,
I don’t care who you are. Answer the question. Are your intentions to harm me?”
Her eyes darted to his pronged trident.
Kaleb’s
grip loosened on his weapon as he stooped toward the seabed, his eyes remaining
focused on Yuri’s icy-blue scowl. He opened his palms, letting the trident roll
out of his hands and onto the sandy seafloor. Inching back, he straightened his
arms, outstretching
his
hands high over his head.
“No,
I don’t wish to harm you. Do you wish to harm me?” He wiggled the fingers
of
his empty hands.
Yuri
crossed her arms over her puffed-out chest.
“That
entirely depends on you,” she sneered. Her nostrils flared.
The
once-retreated smirk returned to Kaleb’s face. How could such a small and
petite girl have so much attitude? This girl is feisty! As his heavy trident
sank deeper into the ocean floor, he lowered his hands and tapped awkwardly at
his sides. His armour clung to his broad, muscular chest as he gestured in a
proper bow. I might as well introduce myself properly.
“I’m
Kaleb. My father is King Oasis of Atlantis. My troops and I came out here to
hunt the beast that terrorizes these waters.”
Kaleb
paused for a response that didn’t come. He waited. His stomach knotted at
Yuri’s silence. It twisted like the ends of a fishing net. Her deep-blue eyes
stared off to the rowboat in which she had emerged.
“And you are…”
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