A Journey of Firsts: An Interview with Kelsey Quick

Every author’s work is inspired by a variety of things they have experienced for the duration of their lives. For Kelsey Quick, she draws her creative muses from pop media culture and aspects of herself that she had once gone through. In this edition of Author Interviews, I sat down with the author of her debut vampire dystopian novel A Violet Fire, and talk about anime, ice cream flavours and the spirit animals that embody her as a writer.

How did you come up with the concept for A Violet Fire? What was the writing process like for you?

Kelsey: A Violet Fire actually started out as a manga/anime in my head. When I was younger (in High School) I wanted to become a manga artist. After reading Vampire Knight, I was super inspired and thought how crazy of a story it would be to have vampires rule over humans like some sort of dystopia. Manga is fun but takes dreadfully long, so I lost motivation quickly. However, once I discovered a love for writing, I knew I had to write this book. It has always been on my heart.

Originally, AVF started out as purely romance, but while writing it I had this epiphany that the story could be much larger and much more impactful than what it currently was. So, after writing the first half, I decided to switch gears. The writing process was both fun and grueling at the same time. It took me about a full year to write the first draft, and it is my first book/manuscript I’ve ever written.

What inspired you to create Waverly’s character and backstory?

Kelsey: Wavorly as a character is partly me, and partly angsty, rebellious teenager haha. She, in my opinion, is the teenage girl today: one that is independent and thinks she is firm, even though she really has no idea what she wants. She is the personification of a crossroads that all teens face when deciding what’s most important to them in life (usually between companionship or career in modern cases). Her back story was largely inspired by the Sesshoumaru and Rin line from the anime/manga Inuyasha, as well as the Kaname and Yuuki pairing from Vampire Knight.

I wanted her to be different from other characters, in that she was faced with trauma head on at an early age, enough to not make her swoon easily over vampires. She was saved by Zein at the age of eight, just as it was with Rin and Sesshoumaru and Kaname and Yuuki. However, unlike those two pairs, Wavorly grows into the woman she is apart from Zein’s influence which I feel is necessary for their future romantic tie-in. 

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?

Kelsey: Honestly, it has made me more of a routine writer. I think now, after publishing A Violet Fire, I’ve kept to my scheduled writing times more rigorously. When you do these things on your own, there’s a greater need for structure. Deadlines don’t come from your editor, but rather, from your readership. If I don’t deliver, I lose interest. I have to keep writing on top of everything else that publishing entails.

What kind of research did you do in the writing of AVF? How long did you spend on research?

Kelsey: I absolutely hate researching for projects! Haha I spent probably a total of 2 hours on research for this book, and that was mainly on locations, settings, seasons, etc. It’s nice to write fantasy because, essentially, you make the rules.

How do you select the names of your characters?

Kelsey: In the moment! Aside from Wavorly and Zein, whose names I just loved for a long time, when introducing a new character, I make them up on the spot. I pretend that I’m watching a movie or show I’ve never seen before, and however I picture that character’s name being introduced, I roll with it. Katarii, Anaya, Castrel, and Savvy were all “in the moment” names.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?

Kelsey: Definitely a turtle. I’m a slow writer. If not that, I would definitely choose peacock, as I’m a huge fan of flowery, colorful prose!

For a bit of fun: if you were to associate your characters with an ice cream flavour, what would each one be?

Kelsey: Wavorly – Mint chocolate chip ; Zein – Raspberry pineapple ; Savvy – Blueberry vanilla ; Gemini – Chocolate chip cookie dough ; Ceti – Pecan praline ; Giomar – Lemon tart

In the Vampire Stratocracy of Cain, human blood is scarce. For centuries, councils have sought to assuage the blood shortage by enslaving and breeding humans, turning them into profitable supply units for the rich and the abled.

Today, eighteen-year-old Wavorly Sterling is officially a supply unit, bound to serve her blood willingly to her master for the rest of her life. One of only few humans that was not bred in Cain, Wavorly knows freedom better than anyone, and she is determined to escape the clutches of her oppressors—despite the allure of forbidden love.

“A vampire tale with a heady mix of defiance and doubt, rebellion and romance.” — Kirkus Reviews

“There is not a single dull moment in this book… A Violet Fire has all the ingredients to become the next Hollywood movie about vampires.” — Readers’ Favorite

I sink lower into the ground. I probably won’t have another shot at escaping either. If they are smart, they’ll keep me in here until Distribution, and most likely monitor me all the way up until the ceremonial judgment. A sole thought forces itself through the mess. What if Zein’s crazy enough to take me back to his castle? To be a part of his blood supply? My fingers clench into my palms. No, even if I manage to get into Zein’s beautiful estate, no doubt I would still find a way to get out. Enslavement is still enslavement, no matter how soft the chains.

Excerpt, A Violet Fire

About the Author

Kelsey Quick is a novelist, artist, and businesswoman who loves her husband, huskies, and video games. Since the age of two, Kelsey has been bound and determined to create. From traditional impressionist paintings, to digital comic creation; from fanfiction to full-length novels… her desire for crisp and prime escapism is never-ending. A Violet Fire is her debut novel, harboring the idea she’s had and held dear to her heart for over a decade.

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Kelsey Quick will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour! Check out the link below!

Enter to win a $25 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway