Flash Question Session---> Author Kyani Swanigan

Flash Question Session
Author Kyani Swanigan



1. Introduce yourself and what it is you do.

Hi everyone! My name is Kyani Swanigan, and I am the YA author of Everlife. It still feels weird to call myself an author because that wasn’t the plan originally. I wanted to be a stylist for the past few years of my life. But writing has always been a passion, and when writing this book popped up, I felt inclined to get it done. And now that I’ve started this journey, I’m anxious to see where it leads.

2. Your office: Home, Starbucks, dining room table?

I work all over my house lol. Before I got a laptop I worked on my desktop, so that’s where I was stationed. But now that I can be mobile, I move around to different areas of the house. I’ve also come to find that I can get very easily distracted, so I could never focus anywhere with too many people.

 
3. What are your current and past projects that you have done?

I’ve always been sort of an off and on writer. I have tons of manuscripts that I’ve started and never finished. But now that I’m writing this series, book two is what I am currently working on. Also, four members of my amazing publishing family, Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly, and me are working on an awesome project.

4. What’s the best advice you have ever received regarding your writing?

Well my mom always reminds me to tell the story. There has been so many times when I’ll be sitting with her and reading her a section that I’ve written. If she doesn’t feel that I’ve elaborated on something enough, she encourages me to do so. Even though trying to expand on something can serve as a challenge sometimes, it always comes out better.

5. If you are self-published, tell us about your experiences, pros and cons. If not, elaborate your experience so far in the publishing world.

It’s funny that you mention self-publishing because that was the plan originally. But I’m glad that I held back because now I am part of CHBB! The ride so far has been no less than surreal. The release of my book is approaching so quickly I can hardly believe it! But I’ve been having a lot of fun with this experience, and I can’t wait to see what happens with not only Everlife, but the books of my CHBB family as well.

6. Favorite flavor of anything?

The first thing that comes to mind is my favorite smoothie flavor at Jamba Juice since I’ve been craving it, which is a White Gummie.

7. Are you a pantser writer or an outline plotter?

I try to do outlines. Like with the book I’m working on right now, I made one, and honestly it did help to have a set direction that I was going. But I stopped using it because there were so many things that I just wanted to add on the spot. Yes it does give me a bit of writers block, but if I get really stuck than I can always refer to the outline, which is handy.



8. What do you do to help you write? Do you down the energy drinks? Eat junk food? Run around the house to get the inspiration going? Blast the tunes? Do tell.

I’m really visual when it comes to writing a scene or imagining my characters. I find listening to my iPod with my headphones on helps me get in that state of mind or come up with something.

9. What would be your advice to aspiring authors?

Don’t stop writing. I know that it gets tricky, and you really have to push yourself (for some more than others), but it is the greatest feeling to finish a book. You’ll be very proud of yourself.

10. Where can we stalk you online?

I have a fan page on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kyani-Swanigan-author-of-The-Nyx-Series/264675130231389
And a twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/Kyani_Swanigan
Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Website

Stalk away J

2 comments:

  1. All the best to you. Sounds like your on a serendipitous ride.

    Like you, my laptop is an indispensable, mobile writing partner.

    Soar and have fun!

    Carl Hitchens

    http://www.drumtalk-hitch.com/Books/Books.html

    http://www.drumtalk-hitch.com/Sitting_with_Warrior/Sitting_with_Warrior.html

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  2. Tagged you for ‘I’ve Been Tagged’ list. (compliments of Misha)

    My post, the list of 11 bloggers and all the details are HERE: DG Hudson - Rainforest Writing:

    http://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.com/2012/02/ive-been-tagged-11-questions.html

    Hope you can participate. I'll be back to read about this book.

    ReplyDelete