Blogoversary Author Interview: Kari Stewart

Hi Everyone,
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Today we have an author who I think took a different approach in the paranormal world and has created a fantastic world and characters.

Please Welcome K. A. Stewart (aka Kari Stewart)  to Blood Rose Books today.

The Paranormal genre has seen a huge increase in authors and books over the last five years, what made you decide to have your first book enter into that genre?

It’s a genre that I love, first and foremost.  I’ve always been a fantasy nut, and  then when urban fantasy started popping up, it just seemed so logical!  Of course,  magic in the real world!  I was really excited to go play with that concept.  I think  I’d have probably written the JJD novels even if UF wasn’t popular, just because  it’s a story I love.

What do you think would be the hardest or most challenging genre to write a novel in and why?

Keep in mind that this answer is subjective.  There are a lot of things I’m not sure  I could write.  Military thrillers, for one.  Romance, for another.  Not because  there’s anything wrong with those things, but just because that’s not where my  heart is, and I believe that writers should write what they love.  That love shows  through in the quality of the work.

Within the Paranormal genre there are various types of monsters and creatures to focus on, what drew you to and what was the appeal of the Demon aspect?

In Jesse’s world, I knew that I wanted to make it as close to our own reality as  possible, but a little more warped.  Vampires and werewolves running around was  just too much, it wasn’t the feel I was going for.  Demons, on the other hand…  They’re sneaky, they’re subtle, and in the end, we (humans) are simply our own  worst enemy.  You never know when a demon is watching, when the voice you  hear whispering to you isn’t your own.  And I like the creepy-factor in that.  Who  do you trust?

You main character is male, which is growing in popularity, but the vast majority of authors us a female protagonist (as it seems that most people who read this genre are women), what were the pros and cons for you about having a male protagonist?

I actually started the JJD series because my husband wanted to see more male  protagonists.  At that time, the big name in male-lead UF was the Dresden Files,  but after that, you really had to search.  There were others, of course, but they  were far outnumbered by the female leads.  My husband wanted to see a hero  more like him, just a dude who stepped up when life called.  And that’s really  where Jesse came from.  I didn’t think in pros and cons, because I just figured if  one person wanted to see more guys, there were others out there who did, too.   And it turns out I was right.

You have Jesse James focus his talents around the samurai ways, have you done any training in the samurai ways or something similar?

No formal training, no.  The idea for Jesse following the bushido came from my  husband, who has always been interested in that time in history.  In the course of  researching for the series, I’ve gained quite a bit of knowledge myself, but it’s all  from books.  Now, I have gleaned basic fighting techniques from my daughter’s  karate sensei.  I know a lot about sword-making and usage from some friends  (www.badgerblades.com).  Things I piece together to get the facts that I need.   Ideally, someday, I want to do martial arts training myself, but it’s one of those  things that I’ll get around to eventually.

I found it interesting that you had Jesse be the character within the book that did not have any type of powers, why did you decide to make Jesse the “weak” one?

I don’t consider Jesse weak.  If anything, he has to be stronger than anyone else,  because he’s working at a disadvantage.  His power comes, not from supernatural  means, but from his force of will and determination.  And I did that deliberately,  because I wanted Jesse to be anybody.  He could be you, or me, or that guy  standing next to you.  He’s just an ordinary guy, who happens to live an  extraordinary life.

As you are a new author on the scene, what was the most difficult experience or aspect you had to get around in order to get your book published?

I actually got really lucky in my journey into publishing. I have friends who have  seen rejection letters numbering in the hundreds, but for me the process went  relatively fast.  The writing and refining of that first book took way longer than  the actual process of finding an agent and getting it sold to a publisher.  If  anything, the most difficult part is inside my own head, that little voice that  always asks “Well, what if you’re not good enough?”  Like I said, we are our own  worst enemies.

Besides reading and writing what are some other hobbies that you enjoy partaking in?

I like archery (longbow or recurve, not compound).  I grew up around horses, so  I’ve always loved horseback riding, but I don’t get to do it much anymore.  I play  World of Warcraft, which probably makes me a pretty big geek.  I still draw and  paint from time to time, though most of my creative impulses go into writing  anymore.  And I collect obscure musical instruments.

Do you have any information on upcoming works or events that you are able to share?

Book 3 of the JJD series should be out next summer, but I don’t have a concrete  release date yet.  (I don’t even have a firm title yet.)  And I’m currently working  on rewriting a few other works that are unrelated to Jesse’s world, in the hopes  that I can get some other projects into publishing condition.
 

What is one book on your shelf that you cannot wait to read (can either be a new or old favorite).

Actually, I recently decided that I’m going to re-read ALL of the Dresden Files  novels, so that’s on my to do list.  I’m in the middle of Rob Thurman’s Basilisk at  the moment, and I also have Kevin Hearne’s new Iron Druid series to get into.   And there are a TON of new books out this year that I’m dying to read, so my  reading schedule should be pretty busy.

 I have only read the first book in this series but I was very entertained by the book, and really loved the characters that she developed. It is nice to have some strong Male leads in books these days as everything seems to have strong female lead. For more information about Kari's books check out my review of A Devil in the Detials as well as Kari's Website. Thank you once again Kari for the Author Interview.


Cheers!!!