I had the pleasure of having a Q&A session with K.M. Robinson, author of Golden & Jaded, and I made sure to throw in some tough questions which was noted at the bottom of my filled out questionnaire. I’m glad you enjoyed the K-MIZ!
So, without further adieu, here is how the interview went!
1. What challenges do you face when writing a YA-Dystopian novel?
I think the biggest challenge is probably making sure whatever world you are creating could actually happen. Sometimes dystopians have some far out things…but they are so incredibly when it could be a scary reality in the not-too-distant future. Most of my dystopians have been pretty easy to accept as far as being realistic, but I’m working on one that’s kind of scary close to us and making sure it feels really really real is super important and can be challenging at times, epically when it’s a world that’s just a step away and not several generations away.
2. Do you have a playlist that you use to help fuel ‘the muse’ or do you need quiet time?
I need quiet. If there is music, I sing…and then I type the lyrics as I’m writing and it results in a total mess. On very rare occasions when I’m trying to block things out, I will listen to music without vocals that are not just background tracks for songs that I know the words to. Think Lindsey Sterling or classical.
3. Who has influenced your writing the most as far as authors go?
Lisa Brown Roberts is amazing for world building. She writes contemporary YA romance, and I typically don’t have a passion for that genre (because why read about the world we live in when there are so many other worlds I could read about?) but I will walk away from just about anything else to read her newest books. She sucks you into her story from the first page and never let’s you stray. She makes me love contemporary and very very few people can make me love contemporary.
Sherry Ficklin is great for hooks that get your attention. The start of her stories refuse to let you abandon them. And the girl knows how to write swoony men, that’s all I’m saying.
Veronica Roth’s Divergent was a huge inspiration too. She’s the one who gave me permission to have realistic endings instead of the misfit happy endings so many YA romances have. Unrealistic endings are the worst. I don’t mind torturing my characters and making them work for their happy endings…but there will be scars along the way and not everyone will make it out alive. I know people hated her for her ending, but it was the most fitting ending and I respect and admire her for going there.
4. While writing Jaded, without spoilers, did you learn something new about any of your characters that you possibly didn’t know? [feel free to HINT tho…;D]
There is a character who was never supposed to have more than a few sentences in one scene in Jaded. This character turned out to be the pushiest thing I’ve ever met and to this day I hold a grudge against them…and yet, here they are, dominating the entire second half of my book, a super important part of the story.
This character’s nickname is Smarmy. I have one friend who listened to me complain about this character the entire time I was writing them in the book…my friend to this day only knows the character as Smarmy.
And yes, there is a secret about this character…but I’m not telling (yet)
I also learned quite a bit about Roan, the main guy in the story. I have strong feelings about him (I won’t tell you what they are) and as I was writing I learned that he was a lot more like Jade than I thought he was. Roan is…not who I thought he was going into it. I respect him for that…usually.
5. What inspired you to write Jaded?
Surprisingly enough, a photos series I created for K.M. Robinson Photography years ago called The Fallen. The imagery really gave me the overall feel and tone for the story…but that’s all I’m saying…for now 😉
6. If you could dreamcast your characters for a movie, who would play them?
Ummm…I honestly don’t think I know. I’ve dreamcast exactly one of my books, the first one I ever wrote, and probably not the one that will ever see the light of day unless I do some major fixing up.
Anyone want to help me dream cast? I’ll give you descriptions…..lol
7. Do you think that you have grown creatively, if so explain!
Oh sure, each new project I work on has helped me to grow, whether its a fine arts photo piece, a new story, a new video production, a new couture gown creation…anything and everything creative is a new lesson that helps me to grow and define what I’m doing.
8. Do you set a timer, or a word count goal when you’re working?
I do not because I will get super competitive with myself. I once wrote 160,000 words in twenty days around my work schedule. This probably shouldn’t be repeated. lol
9. If you could bring one of your characters to life who would it be and why?
You are mean. You are so mean.
If I could only pick one….it would be Dov Baer from The Golden Trilogy. Or one of the guys from Defiance, that book that will probably never see the light of day….those boys are dreamy and perfection. Too bad you’ll never meet them… 😉
10. Lastly, Flynn Ryder or Aladdin?
Why do you do this to me? Why?!???!! *dramatic sigh* Flynn Rider, but only because Aladdin lied to Jasmine’s face over and over and over again. And Flynn gave up his life for Rapunzel. They’re both so gorgeous and swoony though!
KMR:Side note as I’m going through these question-holy snap, woman, you’re actually making me think???? What is this madness? lol
SORRY, Not sorry!
Sincerely, Sissy Lu
Ahh, I loved reading the answers! It was fun! Want to learn more about K.M. Robinson? Here are some of her social links:
Jaded Synopsis: Her father failed in his mission to take control from the Commander, a defeat that has cost Jade her life. She will die as punishment. Now she belongs to the Commander’s son—as his wife. Knowing his intent is to quietly kill her in revenge, Jade’s every move is calculated to survive—until she learns her death ensures the safety of her father and her entire town.
Roan doesn’t want to kill Jade, but once his family isolates her from her father and community, his only choice is to go through with the plan. Jade doesn’t make it easy as she tries to sway him into falling for her. Each misstep makes him question his cause. Each moment makes every decision harder, but the Commander won’t allow him to fail.
One chooses life. One chooses death. In the midst of the chaos, only one will succeed.
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