Today on our blog we have YA author Kelly Risser! Read on to find out about her books and inspirations!
Little Birdy Book Blog: What inspired you to start writing?
Kelly Risser: I've always been a writer in some way, shape or form. When I was young, I made up magazines and homemade cards. In high school, I moved to poetry and short stories. I also wrote a screen play, but it was so bad I'm almost embarrassed to mention it. In college, I wrote for the campus newspaper. Once I graduated, I moved into business writing. I've been a copywriter, a marketing consultant, and now, an Instructional Designer e-Learning, meaning that I design and write online training courses. About five years ago, I felt the urge to start creative writing again, and so what did I do? Tackle a novel, of course! It was a much bigger undertaking than I thought, but here I am, with my third book in the series coming out this May.
LBBB: How long did it take for you to write your first book?
KR: The first book took me about three years. When I started writing, I had two thirds of it done in two months, the words just flowed. I wrote the first half and the last three chapters. Then, I got stuck. I didn't outline, and I didn't know how to bridge the two parts together. I started taking a writing class, which really helped me. I went through two drafts of my novel in that class, and then it took me about 7 months to find my publisher.
LBBB: How do you come up with ideas for your stories?
KR: I dream them mostly. I get ideas for stories all the time, but I see key scenes play out in my head like a movie. Sometimes, the challenge is getting them to play out on paper as nicely as they did in my head. In book one, Meara's mom is sick. I was able to so realistically portray her illness from my own experiences with my mother-in-law. Although my books are fantasy, I do ground them in real life and real experiences.
LBBB: What is your writing routine like? Do you have a set schedule or are you flexible?
KR: We have a computer desk in our living room that is used by the whole family. It can be tough at times, when my husband wants to use it or my daughter wants to play Club Penguin. It's not super clean and organized, but it's not horrible either. I have pictures to inspire me, and plenty of room to spread out my notes.
LBBB: What inspires you to write?
KR: Reading, nature, movies, people watching, art... I find inspiration in many sources. I can look at a painting and in it, see a story.
LBBB: Are any of your stories written from personal experience, or any character traits that mirror yours?
KR: For a teenager, I think Meara is rather grounded. In some ways, that is my own personality coming through. I'm not overly emotional. I'm rather even keel and not a fan of drama, so I made her into a strong, confident person.
LBBB: When in a slump, what do you do? If you read or listen to music, what are your go-to books or music?
KR: Sometimes I just step away for a day or two. The ideas will come to me eventually. I do like to listen to music when I write, but I don't have a particular set. I like Evanescence, Muse, and Plum, to name a few. I will also listen to Pandora to try and pick up new songs to inspire me that are similar to the ones I already like.
LBBB: How do you respond to negative feedback/comments with your work?
KR: I am fine with a well thought out critique, and I also know that everyone has different tastes and my book won't please them all. That said, when I get one or two stars and the only comment is "I don't like it," I think they could spend another minute or two stating why. After all, no matter if you like a book or not, someone took a long time to write it. The only other thing that bothers me is spoilers in reviews, good or bad. Please don't share spoilers!
LBBB: What is your writing space like? Do you work anywhere or do you have a special place just for your writing? Messy or clean?
KR: We have a computer desk in our living room that is used by the whole family. It can be tough at times, when my husband wants to use it or my daughter wants to play Club Penguin. It's not super clean and organized, but it's not horrible either. I have pictures to inspire me, and plenty of room to spread out my notes.
LBBB: Do you have a favorite author? Series?
KR: Not one favorite author, but I love Patricia Brigg's Mercedes Thompson series, Rick Riordan (all of his), JK Rowling Harry Potter, Cassandra Clare (all of hers), AG Howard's Splintered Series, and Maria Hall's Kingdom series.
LBBB: Any fur-babies?
KR: Yes, we have a whoodle named Clyde. Whoodles are a mix of a soft-coated wheaten terrier and a poodle. My parents own his mom, Kara, who is the wheaten. He has lots of personality.
Kelly Risser: I've always been a writer in some way, shape or form. When I was young, I made up magazines and homemade cards. In high school, I moved to poetry and short stories. I also wrote a screen play, but it was so bad I'm almost embarrassed to mention it. In college, I wrote for the campus newspaper. Once I graduated, I moved into business writing. I've been a copywriter, a marketing consultant, and now, an Instructional Designer e-Learning, meaning that I design and write online training courses. About five years ago, I felt the urge to start creative writing again, and so what did I do? Tackle a novel, of course! It was a much bigger undertaking than I thought, but here I am, with my third book in the series coming out this May.
LBBB: How long did it take for you to write your first book?
KR: The first book took me about three years. When I started writing, I had two thirds of it done in two months, the words just flowed. I wrote the first half and the last three chapters. Then, I got stuck. I didn't outline, and I didn't know how to bridge the two parts together. I started taking a writing class, which really helped me. I went through two drafts of my novel in that class, and then it took me about 7 months to find my publisher.
LBBB: How do you come up with ideas for your stories?
KR: I dream them mostly. I get ideas for stories all the time, but I see key scenes play out in my head like a movie. Sometimes, the challenge is getting them to play out on paper as nicely as they did in my head. In book one, Meara's mom is sick. I was able to so realistically portray her illness from my own experiences with my mother-in-law. Although my books are fantasy, I do ground them in real life and real experiences.
LBBB: What is your writing routine like? Do you have a set schedule or are you flexible?
KR: We have a computer desk in our living room that is used by the whole family. It can be tough at times, when my husband wants to use it or my daughter wants to play Club Penguin. It's not super clean and organized, but it's not horrible either. I have pictures to inspire me, and plenty of room to spread out my notes.
LBBB: What inspires you to write?
KR: Reading, nature, movies, people watching, art... I find inspiration in many sources. I can look at a painting and in it, see a story.
LBBB: Are any of your stories written from personal experience, or any character traits that mirror yours?
KR: For a teenager, I think Meara is rather grounded. In some ways, that is my own personality coming through. I'm not overly emotional. I'm rather even keel and not a fan of drama, so I made her into a strong, confident person.
LBBB: When in a slump, what do you do? If you read or listen to music, what are your go-to books or music?
KR: Sometimes I just step away for a day or two. The ideas will come to me eventually. I do like to listen to music when I write, but I don't have a particular set. I like Evanescence, Muse, and Plum, to name a few. I will also listen to Pandora to try and pick up new songs to inspire me that are similar to the ones I already like.
LBBB: How do you respond to negative feedback/comments with your work?
KR: I am fine with a well thought out critique, and I also know that everyone has different tastes and my book won't please them all. That said, when I get one or two stars and the only comment is "I don't like it," I think they could spend another minute or two stating why. After all, no matter if you like a book or not, someone took a long time to write it. The only other thing that bothers me is spoilers in reviews, good or bad. Please don't share spoilers!
LBBB: What is your writing space like? Do you work anywhere or do you have a special place just for your writing? Messy or clean?
KR: We have a computer desk in our living room that is used by the whole family. It can be tough at times, when my husband wants to use it or my daughter wants to play Club Penguin. It's not super clean and organized, but it's not horrible either. I have pictures to inspire me, and plenty of room to spread out my notes.
LBBB: Do you have a favorite author? Series?
KR: Not one favorite author, but I love Patricia Brigg's Mercedes Thompson series, Rick Riordan (all of his), JK Rowling Harry Potter, Cassandra Clare (all of hers), AG Howard's Splintered Series, and Maria Hall's Kingdom series.
LBBB: Any fur-babies?
KR: Yes, we have a whoodle named Clyde. Whoodles are a mix of a soft-coated wheaten terrier and a poodle. My parents own his mom, Kara, who is the wheaten. He has lots of personality.
Author Bio:
Kelly Risser knew at a young age what she wanted to be when she grew up. Unfortunately, Fairytale Princess was not a lucrative career. Leaving the castle and wand behind, she entered the world of creative business writing where she worked in advertising, marketing, and training at various companies. Currently, she works full time as an eLearning Instructional Designer, fitting her creative writing into the evenings and weekends.
She's often found lamenting, "It's hard to write when there are so many good books to read!" So, when she's not immersed in the middle of someone else's fantasy world, she's busy creating one of her own. This world is introduced in her first novel, Never Forgotten, and visited further in her second novel, Current Impressions.
Kelly lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two children. They share their home with Clyde the Whoodle and a school of fish.
She's often found lamenting, "It's hard to write when there are so many good books to read!" So, when she's not immersed in the middle of someone else's fantasy world, she's busy creating one of her own. This world is introduced in her first novel, Never Forgotten, and visited further in her second novel, Current Impressions.
Kelly lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two children. They share their home with Clyde the Whoodle and a school of fish.