what is your name?
Kathleen Salidas, but I just never felt, Kathleen “fit.” Katie seems more friendly and easygoing and that is me! Just call me Katie.
how would you describe what you do?
In short, I’m a writer. A professional day-dreamer, if you will.
I dream up fantastical characters and worlds then put them down on paper. It sound’s like a lot of fun, right? It is! But, there is a lot of hard work and time involved in the process.
what are you currently working on?
At the moment, I am preparing the first novel in my Immortalis series, to be published by my label, a new publishing venture, Rising Sign Books. www.risingsignbooks.com
*Blurb*
/Immortalis: Carpe Noctem/
Bleeding to death after brutal mugging on the campus of UNLV, Twenty-five year old Alyssa, is rescued by the cold and aloof, vampire, Lysander. Taking pity on her, he shares the gift-and curse-of immortality. Awakening as a vampire, Alyssa is soon devastated by harsh realities of her new way of life: the loss of her friends, her independence, and her humanity.
As if having her humanity stripped away wasn’t enough to make life interesting, Alyssa finds out her turning, did not go unnoticed by the rest of undead society. Old enemies, an ancient sect of vampire hunters, known as the Acta Sanctorum, and a powerful vampire mistress, each set plans in motion to destroy both Alyssa and Lysander. Only by accepting her newfound immortality and seizing the night, will Alyssa hope to survive. She and Lysander must fight together against two sets of enemies bent on destroying them both.
what has had the greatest influence on your work?
That’s a really tough question. Everything we do or see influences us in some way. I guess, as a writer, I would have to say reading has had the most influence on what I do. I’m inspired by what has come before. I’m inspired by the characters I meet in-between the pages of new novels. I’m inspired by the unique voice of each writer.
There is a wealth of talent out there, both published and not. Reading not only feeds a need for entertainment, it nourishes creativity as well.
what is the greatest misconception about you or your work?
That it is easy!
Seriously, I may call myself a professional day-dreamer, but it’s not all lying around like a lump.
Writing is hard, time consuming work. I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve slaved at my computer: Editing, doing research, studying writing craft, writing character bio’s, outlining, writing plot summaries, writing synopses, querying, participating in critiquing and revision groups.
Many people have the misconception that it’s just a simple matter of jotting down a story. That is only one small part of the process.
what do you see as the main strengths and weaknesses of the medium you work in?
Dialogue is probably my strongest skill. I try to put myself in the characters head though it makes me feel a bit schizophrenic at times, and try to hear their unique voice. Just like each person has a unique speech pattern, our characters should too.
On weaknesses. hmmm, without a doubt, punctuation. Many of my critiquing partners have beaten me up over my abuse of commas and incorrect punctuation on dialogue tags. I may be able to write good dialogue, but I can’t seem to punctuate it to save my life.
how has technology impacted upon the work you do?
I’ve always written on a computer. My very first story was written on an old, Apple IIC. I don’t know what I would do without a computer. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been for writers back in the typewriter era. I shudder at the thought of multiple edits and revisions on one of those.
what’s the greatest piece of advice you would like to pass on?
No one ever publishes a first draft!
If you aspire to become an author and sell your stories, study the craft! There are hundreds of spelling, punctuation, and grammar rules to remember and use. (Sadly, much to my editor’s dismay, I still haven’t learned them all)
Buy and read every book, on writing craft, you can find and join a critiquing group. They are an invaluable tool to help you edit and revise your work.
where can we find you online?
Easiest place to find me is on Facebook, I am very active on the fan page.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Salidas-Author/214780936916
You can also find me on my Blog.
http://myimmortalstories.blogspot.com/
And soon, I will be launching the website for Rising Sign Books, my self-publishing venture
what are you reading at the moment?
I just picked up the Mercy Thompson novels, by Patricia Briggs. I’ve heard good things about this series.
what are you listening to at the moment?
Last Cup of Sorrow, by Faith No More.
anything else we should know?
You can view the trailer to my upcoming book, Immortalis:Carpe Noctem, on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyAf2fcsHro
If you have anything else you’d like to ask, feel free to shoot me an email. Ksalidas@cox.net