Say hello to KristaLyn A. Vetovich! She was the second person to respond to my speculative fiction interview post, and I’m excited to share her answers with you today.
What was the first speculative story you ever remember reading?
My mother hooked me on reading with the Harry Potter series. She would read them to us every night, but I would read ahead because I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next.
Who is your favourite author? Why?
At the moment, Neil Gaiman. Not only are his stories incredible, but his perspective is so encouraging and grounding for me as an author.
What do you like most about the genre(s) you read?
I love speculative fiction because it’s the best way to unleash everything my imagination can come up with, whether it’s through my own writing or leaping into a world of someone else’s design. It helps remind me that anything is possible and I can make a better reality.
More and more authors seem to be writing cross-genre stories these days. How do you feel about this trend?
I love it! Why not get creative and complex as long as it’s entertaining and makes sense for the reader? We have plenty of people (editors, publishers, etc) who keep our feet on the ground while we take our minds further into the clouds.
If you could name a pet after one character, which character would you choose? Why?
I usually let my pet’s personality inspire their names, but I did give my corgi the middle name Mikleo after a character in the Tales of Zestiria video game.
What fictional world would you never want to visit?
Any world with zombies in it. Zombies aren’t my thing.
What fictional world would you want to visit?
I want to visit the world of Good Omens and just get coffee (or tea) with Crowly and Aziraphale. I feel like that would be an excellent way to spend an afternoon.
Sharing spoilers with people who haven’t read the book or seen the film/show is a hot topic on Twitter and across many fandoms. How do you feel about sharing or overhearing spoilers?
I take responsibility for my own exposure to spoilers and if I happen upon one I see it as just another reason to experience the story as soon as possible. I’m not one to spread spoilers though. Everyone deserves the right to choose what they know going into a story.
Which series do you think should be made into a TV show or film next?
That’s a tough one! So many are already coming to the screen. As long as they’re done well, I’d watch all of them to promote the authors and their series!
Which TV show or film do you think should be turned into a book?
Avatar: The Last Airbender. Those characters would translate so well into books!
Bonus Author Questions
What is the most unusual or interesting way you’ve come up with an idea for one of your creative works?
For the Shifted series it was just people watching and imagining how hard we must make it on spirit guides to get through to us. The story exploded from there.
Sometimes characters don’t do what their creators want them to do. If this has ever happened to you, how did you deal with it?
I’ve had entire characters introduce themselves and I don’t realize it until pages later. I welcome them. If my creativity is flowing, I’m all for it and I like to think it usually works out better for the story than what I’d originally planned. I can always adjust in revisions if I need to.
What is your favourite trope?
I love the unwilling or unexpected hero. It shows that heroes come from everywhere and that being a hero is a choice anyone can make.
What tropes do you try to avoid in your stories?
I avoid love at first sight—though I believe it can happen. I like romance to be a secondary part of the plot in my stories so I can focus on the individuals and what makes them heroes in their own right.
About: KristaLyn is an internationally bestselling author, certified holistic practitioner, and intuitive coach who helps people attract the lives they want to live with the one thing they can’t control: divine timing.
KristaLyn lives in a treehouse in Pennsylvania with her husband and corgi, Jack, and cooperates with her family to help revitalize the Coal Region of Pennsylvania to a new, sustainable glory.
Website: www.KristaLynAVetovich.com
Email: info@KristaLynAVetovich.com
Social Media Handle: @AuthorKristaLyn
What was the first speculative story you ever remember reading?
About Portia: My plans to become a doctor were change due to family circumstances at the age of 17 when I left college and started work as a laboratory technician.