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Sunday, June 5, 2011

Interview with Katy Walters

Recently I had the opportunity to ask new author Katy Walters some questions about her up-coming sci-fi crime novel, Phobic Dawn, set to release on July 4, 2011.



Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?


I live on the Coast with my husband and golden retriever.  My family
are grown and flown which leaves me time to write full time. I have a
B.A. Hons in Psychology and another B.A. in Engl. Lit and Creative
Writing I also have an M.A. in Mysticism and the Religious Experience.
Some years ago I was awarded an Hon. Dr. Sc. In Pain control and
Complementary Medicine.

I started off as a singer but the continual touring took me all over
Europe and it meant so much time away from home and my husband. So I
went back to University and studied psychology which became my passion.
I called on my psychology and research on Artificial Intelligence for
Phobic Dawn.

What inspires you to write?


I am drawn to themes that involve psychology, artificial intelligence
and the advent of the cyborg. I ask myself what feelings are involved in
the evolutionary development of the android and the cyborg.  The
supernatural and paranormal are also fascinating. In the past I have
tried to write an historical story, but mysticism, ghosts or robots,
always find a way to creep into the novel very early on. So now I just
sit back and enjoy writing on these themes.

Ben is not a typical hero, which I love about him. Did you have
someone in mind when you wrote his character? If so, who?

In a way yes but only some facets of that personality. I do take parts
of my characters from people I know, whom I admire or find interesting.
I then develop the character to include the themes in the book.

How much research went into writing this book?

A lot.  When I was writing this I spent hours, days on each chapter in
research. This included archaeology, research on interplanetary travel,
asteroids  and so on. Then I read up on neurology, genetics, robotics
and cyborgs.  I think most writers who are involved in near future Sci
Fi do an awful lot of research.  Also involved was Herpetology, the
study of snakes and how ancient civilizations used their venom as
hallucinogenic drugs

 What do you need when you write? (ie. quiet room, music, favourite snack)

I need a really quiet room. I have a study at the side of the house so
I am well away from any activity.  I love to have hot coffee in the
mornings followed by tea in the afternoons.  I do like sweets now and
again.  If I hit a sticky patch I will often play Tchaikovsky, Carl
Jenkins or the Black Eyed Peas.

 Any advice for inspiring writers?

Yes, write from the heart. If you can feel the words, e.g. the
character’s feelings, happiness, sadness, fear or anger then you’re on
the right track.  Also study some of the contemporary techniques of
novel writing.

 Are you working on anything new at the moment?

Yes, I am writing a paranormal novel (a Trilogy) of The Famine in
Ireland in 1846 and the present day, together with The Merrow – mermen
and mysticism. The idea came over two years ago now when I visited a
museum on the Famine in Ireland. Since then I have been researching on
and off.  That too though has required quite bit of research into Celtic
Mythology. I started writing it four months before Dam Good Publishing
approached me with an offer to publish Phobic Dawn.  So when I have
finished it, I shall start the sequel to Phobic Dawn.  – Phobic Abyss.

I want to take the time to thank Katy for answering some questions for me, and also allowing me to check out her new book, Phobic Dawn (review coming tomorrow...be sure to check it out!).

For more information about Katy, you can stop by her site here or you can also check her out at Dam Good Publishing here. Also, if you are just hanging around on Twitter this week, you can join the Dam Good Party in celebrating the upcoming release of Kay's book. There will be chats, games, prizes, and Katy may even pop on by to say hello. Just use the hashtag #Damgoodparty to join in. Hope to see you there!!


1 comment:

  1. I'm always interested in writers background and having read several chapters of PHOBIC DAWN, it was interesting to see how Katy Walters goes about writing. I especially liked the variety of music she listens to when writing :) Good luck - July is right around the corner!

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