A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to E-interview Caitlin Kittredge author of several wondrous novels including the Nocturne City series, Black London series, and Iron Codex as well as others. Before I go any further I want to thank Ms. Kittredge for her time and humor in answering these questions. She has been and continues to be a favorite author of mine. Here are the results of said interview:
TB: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
CK: I was born in the dark of the moon and raised by wolves until the age of 12, at which time I left home and joined a circus composed entirely of creepy clowns. After their tragic suffocation in their tiny car, I went to college in Seattle and started writing books.
TB: When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?
CK: I’ve been writing since I can remember. I finished my first novel when I was 21.
TB: When did you know that you would be writing as a full time career?
CK: When I finally got a contract big enough to live on and quit my full-time job.
TB: Did you choose your Genre, or did the Genre choose you?
CK:I didn’t “choose” to write in any genre—I loved dark, fantastical stories and I wrote one. Later, my editor told me it was “urban fantasy”. Until I had contact with New York publishing, I didn’t know anything about genres.
TB: Ideas come and go for writers. How do you choose between the ones to lock up and the ones to let off the leash?
CK: I don’t make that distinction. I write everything down, at least some notes, and if something keeps coming up, I figure it’s a keeper. Sometimes I’m right, sometimes I’m wrong.
TB: Do you finish a “Draft Zero” completely before revising, or do you revise as you go or both?
CK: I draft a full book before revising. I can’t re-style as I go—it’s just not how my process works.
TB: Do you work with an outline, or just write? If you write, do you start at chapter 1 and move forward or skip around?
CK: I have a rough outline to start, and sometimes I do move around in the book. Usually I write from start to finish.
TB: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way growing up? As an adult?
CK: Too many to count. Everything you read is an influence, to one degree or another, even books you don’t like.
TB: What was one of your most embarrassing jobs prior to writing full time?
CK: I’m not embarrassed about anything I did to earn a living. My worst job was undoubtedly working for a Hot Dog on a Stick stand, which involved wearing a tiny hat and being covered in corn-dog batter most of the time.
TB: The Nocturne City series was your first series. Where did the werewolf detective idea spring from?
CK: I thought a werewolf would make the best detective out of any paranormal creature. They have heightened senses and are stronger and faster than people. Who wouldn’t want that protecting them from criminals.
TB: Luna Wilder was a firecraker. Was she difficult to write? Is part of Caitlin wrapped up in Luna?
CK: She wasn’t difficult at all! Most of the time she wouldn’t shut up. But we’re not alike. I’m a very calm, rational kind of person who never flies off the handle. We’re both stubborn, but I’m less so than her/
TB: If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your career, books or getting them published that you would change?
CK: No, because then I wouldn’t be where I am, and I like it here.
TB: Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published? (Assuming you do want it published.)
CK: I wrote a YA that was a historical set in Victorian London, involving both Queen Victoria and the Queen of Faerie, but I folded a lot of those elements into The Iron Thorn, my eventual published YA novel, so I’d say it did see print, in a very different form.
TB: Can you tell us about your upcoming book Black London 5 Soul Trade?
CK: The next Black London book is actually #4, Devil’s Business, in which Pete and Jack track a demon to Los Angeles and run afoul of a supernatural serial killer. Soul Trade is still being written.
TB: Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
CK: Lots of my real experiences find their way in, but I can’t point one out—it tends to be more subtle than cribbed word-for-word from real life.
TB: I know your also working an Iron Codex novel, anything you can tell us?
CK: I’m writing the final book in the trilogy, and the middle book, The Nightmare Garden, will be out February 14, 2012.
TB: Any other projects in the fire official, or unofficial?
CK: Lots. None I can talk about, though!
TB: How did you like working as co-author with Jackie Kessler on “The Icarus Project”? Any Pro’s and Con’s to working with someone?
CK: I had a really great experience writing those books, and I still hope we get to finish out the trilogy some day.
TB: Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?
CK: There are a ton of characters that I haven’t gotten to write stories about yet. As for my favorite themes, which tend to be family, revenge, unrequited love and the destructive power of secrets (cheerful, I know), I hope if I revisit them I find ways to make them entirely fresh.
TB: What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
CK: Honestly, I don’t dwell on negative reviews of my work. The best compliments are when I get to meet readers who have genuinely enjoyed my books, especially teen readers. They are the most enthusiastic audience you could ever ask for.
TB: Why the obsession with the Caped Crusader? Will you ever include him in one of your novels? (i.e the child played with the Batman doll)
CK: I love Batman. If you don’t love Batman, then I’m not sure we’ll get along. And yes, if you read my books you’ll find plenty of Bat-centric in jokes.
TB: I know you are into photography as well. And I have seen some of your work. Will there be a Caitlin Kittredge Photography book in the future?
CK: Photography is a hobby for me, a way to relax and so far I have no plans to try and make money off it. Plus, I’m still a rank beginner. I wouldn’t want to inflict an entire book on the world just yet.
TB: I was excited to see the Video Blog that you started. Why did that not continue?
CK: Vlogs are difficult and time consuming. That’s really the simple answer to why I didn’t keep doing it.
TB: If you could tell a new would-be author only one thing about becoming a writer, what would it be?
CK: This business is more difficult and frustrating than you could ever imagine, but more rewarding too.
TB: Do you have any other advice to give to aspiring writers?
CK: Develop a routine and stick to it. Don’t second-guess yourself. Accept critiques gracefully.
TB: Most writers I’ve found have a little quirk they do while writing. Mine is using the phrase “none-the-less”. I use it way to often and have to edit it out. Do you have a writing quirk? If so, what is it?
CK: Oh, I have terrible grammar in my rough drafts. I spend the most time fixing passive voice, misplaced commas, and all that other stuff. Grammar and I are not natural friends.
TB: What time of the day do you find most productive for writing?
CK: The time I sit down at the computer and have to do the work.
TB: As a budding writer how did you deal with the early rejection letters?
CK: I ate a candy bar, let myself have ten minutes of self-pity, and then sent out another query.
TB: Do you look to your own phobias to find subject matter? Are your stories the products of nightmares, childhood experiences, fantasies?
CK: Yup, I write about a lot of what scared me. Or scares me. I think all writers do.
TB: Any chance to get a photo of “Wayne Manor”?
I’m sure you understand if I don’t want to put a photo of where I live on the internet. And I’d send you some interiors, but right now everything’s ripped apart for renovations.
TB: What would you like to say to readers, fans and fans-to-be?
CK: Thanks for being readers, fans and future fans!
As you can see Caitlin is in love with the cheery happy side of life with rainbows and unicorns for everyone…NOT. One of the reasons I love Ms. Kittredge’s works is that they are dark and somewhat disturbing but masterfully written. No matter your taste in books, I say give hers a try. You might be one of the future fans she is thanking.
Now, I realize that this may not be an interview such as Time Magazine or a Publishers Weekly might do…that wasn’t the point. The point is I had wanted to ask some questions to Caitlin and was given a rare opportunity to do so. Perhaps they are basic, perhaps not. I am very pleased that she took the time to answer them and even that she gave me the chance to ask them of her.
Perhaps I’ll get the chance to interview her again, or maybe interview Cherie Priest. If so, is there any questions you would ask of your favorite author?
