October appears to have been running away with us, but we can’t let it end without an Author Q&A session. So, today I am introducing you to indie author, Katelyn Uhrich. Why not take a look at her website, or pay a visit to Instagram?
Katelyn calls the land of the living skies (Saskatchewan, Canada) home, so naturally from a young age she has let her imagination soar, helping her create her own unique worlds and pen countless stories of magic and adventure, friendship and love.
To hone her craft, Katelyn pursued an English degree, graduating with distinction in 2015. Immediately after submitting her final essay, she began working on the first draft of her debut New Adult Fantasy novel, A Choice for Essence.
When she isn’t roaming the realms within her head, Katelyn loves to snuggle with her dog, Guinness, explore new places and try new foods with her husband, sip tea (or wine) with her friends, and dance until her feet nearly fall off.
Getting to Know You
What motivated you to become an indie author?
Learning that it was an option! In university, I was only taught about the traditional route so I had no idea indie publishing was even a thing until I created an author Twitter account post-university and saw someone tweeting about indie publishing. It immediately grabbed my interest and the more I researched indie publishing the more I knew it was the path I wanted to go on.
When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?
I have a day job, Monday to Friday. When I’m off work and not writing, I’m usually cuddling with my dog, Guinness, watching a movie or tv show with my husband (Currently, we’ve been enjoying the MCU and Parks & Recreation) or hanging out with family and friends. I also try to fit in time to read.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
There are many things I like about writing but my favourite would have to be, reading and enjoying a completed (or almost completed) manuscript and being able to proudly say “I wrote this”!
The Writing Process
What is your writing process?
I’m a combination of a plotter and discovery writer. I usually go into a first draft with a loose outline with all the beats jotted down, but then discovery write from one beat to another.
Once the first draft is done, I sit down and make an actual, very detailed outline for the second draft. It’s at this point that I also do character profiles and worldbuilding. When I’m ready, I write the second draft, which is usually a lot of revising.
When I finish the second draft, I take at least a month break from it, so I can go back with fresh eyes and make adjustments as needed. By the end of that, I have a third draft and it’s usually at this point that I seek out beta readers and from their feedback the edits just continue and continue until I feel it’s ready for a professional editor.
How do you get inspired to write?
I have time “booked” to write, usually from 7-9 on Tuesdays to Thursdays, and weekend mornings. (Sometimes, I also write Friday nights and weekend evenings but that’s only if I feel like it, or don’t have plans). Having that writing time slotted into my weekly schedule, gets me into the mindset to write.
I also like to have movie scores playing as I write. Those really help inspire me!
What’s your advice for aspiring writers?
Don’t be afraid to write a bad book. You probably will the first time (or at least, the first draft of it will be bad), but that’s ok! You can’t get better at something if you’re not doing it!
Reading
What are your five favorite books, and why?
I’m sorry, I don’t have a top 5. I like a lot of books, but it’s hard to choose ones that I’d consider my favourite.
Fantasy is my favourite genre, closely followed by Sci Fi. If the book is in one of those genres, I usually will enjoy it.
How do you discover the books you read?
These days, I’ve discovered the books I read through social media. I try to read mostly indie-published books, so I typically read the books of the indie authors I follow on Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok and Twitter, and who are in the same groups as I am on Facebook.
What books are on your reading list this year?
I have an extremely long list and so many unread eBooks on my kindle app. (I’ve been so busy this year!)
For the rest of this year, I’d like to continue reading the Magic Eaters series by Carol Beth Anderson, the Ilvannian Chronicles by Kara Weaver, and the Stolen Kingdom series by Bethany Atazadeh. I enjoyed the first books of all three of those so want to read more!
A Choice for Essence (Book 1 of the Essence Chronicles)
The Land Above is not as beautiful as it appears. Sheltered within the palace nursery for the first seventeen years of her existence, Essie knows nothing of the darkness lurking behind the bright exterior. During a night of playful rule-breaking and exploration, she stumbles upon the truth when a brutal murder unfolds right before her eyes.
Katelyn Uhrich
Horrified to learn innocent souls are being preyed upon, the young godling seeks to help and protect those in danger. That means defying the gods and goddesses, a venture that could ruin her reputation in the godly court, damage her relationships, and even cost her, her life.
Essie has a choice. What does she choose to lose?
What inspired you to write A Choice For Essence?
I was worldbuilding for a different fantasy story I was working on during university and I realized there were more stories to tell before I got to the one I was working on. I started writing the first draft and quickly fell in love with my MC, Essie.
Is there going to be a follow up to A Choice For Essence?
Yup! The second book is close to being finished (I haven’t announced the title yet). I’m hoping for an early 2022 release.
I’m also currently drafting Book 3 of the series!