Hello and welcome to another author interview, and another chance to peek behind the curtain to see how authors work their magic.

Today, I have an interview with New York Times bestselling author Lauren Kate, author of middle-grade novel One True Wish, which I reviewed here:
https://gaillfontana.com/one-true-wish-by-lauren-kate/.

One True Wish is the story of three children who find a broken fairy in their secret crabapple hollow, and her only chance of getting back to her home is if she can prove that children exist.

Telling Stories: Lauren, thank you so much for your time.

Lauren Kate: Thank you for reaching out.

TS: Where are you writing from now? Would you describe your setting for us?

LK: I write at my home in Laurel Canyon, in the hills of Los Angeles.

My dog is at my feet, I’m looking out at my backyard, and my coffee is always needing to be topped off.

TS: Oh coffee. I don’t know where I’d be without it.

I loved One True Wish. Where did you get the idea for it?

LK: I’m glad you enjoyed [it].

I got the idea at the beginning of the pandemic, when I was taking my children for lots of hikes.

As I watched them disappear into the woods each morning, I remembered my own disappearances into woods as a kid.

I wanted to write about a group of friends who find something miraculous in the woods, but I didn’t know what that thing was.

Then one night, my daughter lost a tooth, and she asked me whether I thought fairies ever wondered if children were real, the way children wonder if fairies are real.

I loved the idea of a fairy who didn’t believe in children, and that’s when I knew this skeptical fairy was what the kids in my story would find.

Phoebe was born!

TS: I LOVE that!

You have written so many books. When did you know you wanted to be a writer, and what was the inciting incident that set you on your path?

LK: I always wrote stories but was raised to believe it was something I’d grow out of as I got older, that I’d get a “serious” job.

I didn’t know a person could devote their life to writing until I got to college and took my first creative writing seminar from a novelist.

After that, writing was all I wanted to do.

TS: What has writing taught you about life?

LK: That if you look closely enough at anyone, you’ll see enough vulnerability that you have no choice but to love them.

TS: Did you ever think you didn’t have enough Experience with a capital E to be a writer? Was imposter syndrome ever an issue?

If so, how did you overcome it?

LK: I’m not sure that ever goes away; I feel it each time I start a new book.

By now I know that doubt and struggle are simply part of my process.

TS: If you weren’t a writer, what would you do for a living?

LK: I’d love to own a restaurant and work in the kitchen.

TS: What inspires you?

LK: Evolving relationships, eavesdropping, divine food, baroque music, ancient narratives, goddesses.

TS: (I just asked my Alexa Echo to play baroque music—that is nice.) What is your writing routine?

LK: I hike with my dog first thing in the morning to map out the scene I’ll be writing.

I compose the first few sentences in my head while I walk.

Then I come home and start typing!

I try to write about 2,000 words, or one full scene per day.

TS: And what snack must you have before you begin writing?

LK: Coffee!

TS: A woman after my own heart.

What were some of your favorite books as a child?

LK: I loved Roald Dahl, Lois Lowry, and Zora Neale Hurston.

All of my favorite writers write about powerful characters who are misunderstood by a cruel and oblivious world.

TS: I haven’t heard of Zora Neale Hurston, so I just read a brief bio about her.

It reads like a great story about a powerful character overcoming hardships in a cruel and oblivious world.

Wow.

So, what advice can you give to kids and others who would like to write books, too.

LK: Finish your stories. It’s easy to get inspired; it’s far harder to see a story through to completion.

Learning that you can finish a story is a huge and important step in the writer’s
journey.

TS: I absolutely agree with that. Stop going after “something shiny” and stick with what you’ve started.

Great advice.

Are you able to share what you’re working on now?

LK: I’ve just finished an adult rom com that will come out next summer; now I’m onto brainstorming ideas for my next book…who knows where it will take me!

TS: I have a feeling that wherever it takes you will be a great place to be for your lucky readers.

Thank you again so much for taking the time to answer my questions.

You can find Lauren Kate at laurenkatebooks.net.

She is the author of many adult and young adult titles. Her 2009 romantic fantasy novel series, Fallen, was made into a movie in 2016.

Happy reading!

~ Gail

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