Today’s guest on my blog is author Kari Holloway, whose short, “Catching Up,” was just published in the anthology A Contract of Words. Over the next few weeks, I'll be introducing many of the authors here on my blog. My story "Dancing in the Dark" is also part of the anthology. Here is what Kari had to say about life, writing, and her story:
1. Besides writing, what is one thing you couldn't live without?
Sweet tea.
2. What was your inspiration for your story?
I was listening to Garth Brooks covers of songs from when he was growing up (he released a whole box set that does this), and one of the songs was Ms Robinson. I became really curious about a few of the lyrics, and upon further research, the importance of DiMaggio and the quirk of a deal led to a story.
3. If a genie could grant you 3 wishes, what would you wish for
End world hunger.
Social medicine.
Enough land in one spot to have a ranch with emus, cows, and other cute animals.
4. Has reading influenced your decision to be a writer? What book(s) made you want to write
I think every book influences me. It can do so in a good way or a bad way, but once you read something, watch something, it becomes a part of your mental thoughts shaping who you are. I don’t remember what books started me writing, but I do remember trying to emulate Louis L’amour when I was a kid.
5. Would you describe your writing process? For example, do you write in a specific place, have music playing or is that a no-no, lean toward outlining specifics, or are you a pantser?
I’m a pantser, and I can generally write anywhere. I prefer my computer, but my AlphaSmart Neo2 is pretty awesome.
6. When faced with the dreaded “writers block”, how do you push through and find inspiration? Is there a ritual or process you have to get yourself back on track?
I don’t get writer’s block. If I don’t want to write, it’s either I don’t want to face the scene that’s coming up (like what happened in Never too Late with the death of a character or in Mark of Cain when a character was doing something I wish they weren’t), or I just don’t want to write (it could be stress, it could be tired, it could be sickness), but it’s not writer’s block.
7. Did you know how your story would end when you started writing it? If not, did plans change while writing or did you improvise when you arrived?
Since it’s based on true events, I knew what it was about, but I had no clue how I was going to turn it into a creative nonfiction piece.
8. If a movie were to be made of your story and you were in charge of casting, who would play your characters? Who would direct?
The Hemsworth brothers. They could all have a part.
9. How close did your story end up being to the original concept you had in your mind? What were the biggest changes? Why did you make them?
LOL. I pled the 5th.
10. What book were you reading when you thought, This stuff sells??? Oh, hell, I can do that…
Never had that moment.
11. Did you have to do any odd research for your story? How did you conduct that research, and then how was it used in your story?
I had to do a lot of research about the times of the 1930s and 40s. The local and world culture, regional and world-wide events, and then had to do research on what was known about Joe DiMaggio’s childhood.
12. If you could pick one place to sit and write, where would it be?
Anywhere outside that was warm.
13. How closely do you relate to/identify with your characters? What inspired them? Did they take over your story or did you direct them?
Joe DiMaggio is considered one of the best of all times, especially on the New York Yankees. He was inspirational in his own right. The characteristics of the real him led to this creative version of him.
14. What do you consider your all-time favorite novel? One that you would read again and again.
Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks.
15. How much of your writing is outlined from the beginning and how much of it is ‘pantsed’ or written on the fly?
Every single bit is pantsed.
16. What are your favorite snack-as-you-write or eat-as-you write foods? How do they help your creative flow or process?
I rarely eat while I’m writing. The crumbs/stickiness would cling to the keyboard or the desk and it would irritate me.
17. How is your ACOW story typical or atypical of your writing in general?
It’s sports related. I haven’t done any sports related works prior to this. I can’t say what the future holds, it might lead to a baseball romance or maybe a game in my Devil’s Playground series.
You can order on Amazon (worldwide), Barnes & Nobles, Books-A-Million, or get a FREE companion soundtrack CD if you order through Scout Media’s online store here:
SCOUTMEDIABOOKSMUSIC.COM
'Of Words' Series
1. Besides writing, what is one thing you couldn't live without?
Sweet tea.
2. What was your inspiration for your story?
I was listening to Garth Brooks covers of songs from when he was growing up (he released a whole box set that does this), and one of the songs was Ms Robinson. I became really curious about a few of the lyrics, and upon further research, the importance of DiMaggio and the quirk of a deal led to a story.
3. If a genie could grant you 3 wishes, what would you wish for
End world hunger.
Social medicine.
Enough land in one spot to have a ranch with emus, cows, and other cute animals.
4. Has reading influenced your decision to be a writer? What book(s) made you want to write
I think every book influences me. It can do so in a good way or a bad way, but once you read something, watch something, it becomes a part of your mental thoughts shaping who you are. I don’t remember what books started me writing, but I do remember trying to emulate Louis L’amour when I was a kid.
5. Would you describe your writing process? For example, do you write in a specific place, have music playing or is that a no-no, lean toward outlining specifics, or are you a pantser?
I’m a pantser, and I can generally write anywhere. I prefer my computer, but my AlphaSmart Neo2 is pretty awesome.
6. When faced with the dreaded “writers block”, how do you push through and find inspiration? Is there a ritual or process you have to get yourself back on track?
I don’t get writer’s block. If I don’t want to write, it’s either I don’t want to face the scene that’s coming up (like what happened in Never too Late with the death of a character or in Mark of Cain when a character was doing something I wish they weren’t), or I just don’t want to write (it could be stress, it could be tired, it could be sickness), but it’s not writer’s block.
7. Did you know how your story would end when you started writing it? If not, did plans change while writing or did you improvise when you arrived?
Since it’s based on true events, I knew what it was about, but I had no clue how I was going to turn it into a creative nonfiction piece.
8. If a movie were to be made of your story and you were in charge of casting, who would play your characters? Who would direct?
The Hemsworth brothers. They could all have a part.
9. How close did your story end up being to the original concept you had in your mind? What were the biggest changes? Why did you make them?
LOL. I pled the 5th.
10. What book were you reading when you thought, This stuff sells??? Oh, hell, I can do that…
Never had that moment.
11. Did you have to do any odd research for your story? How did you conduct that research, and then how was it used in your story?
I had to do a lot of research about the times of the 1930s and 40s. The local and world culture, regional and world-wide events, and then had to do research on what was known about Joe DiMaggio’s childhood.
12. If you could pick one place to sit and write, where would it be?
Anywhere outside that was warm.
13. How closely do you relate to/identify with your characters? What inspired them? Did they take over your story or did you direct them?
Joe DiMaggio is considered one of the best of all times, especially on the New York Yankees. He was inspirational in his own right. The characteristics of the real him led to this creative version of him.
14. What do you consider your all-time favorite novel? One that you would read again and again.
Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks.
15. How much of your writing is outlined from the beginning and how much of it is ‘pantsed’ or written on the fly?
Every single bit is pantsed.
16. What are your favorite snack-as-you-write or eat-as-you write foods? How do they help your creative flow or process?
I rarely eat while I’m writing. The crumbs/stickiness would cling to the keyboard or the desk and it would irritate me.
17. How is your ACOW story typical or atypical of your writing in general?
It’s sports related. I haven’t done any sports related works prior to this. I can’t say what the future holds, it might lead to a baseball romance or maybe a game in my Devil’s Playground series.
You can order on Amazon (worldwide), Barnes & Nobles, Books-A-Million, or get a FREE companion soundtrack CD if you order through Scout Media’s online store here:
SCOUTMEDIABOOKSMUSIC.COM
'Of Words' Series