#BookRelease – Wilde’s Fire by Krystal Wade @KrystalWade

Hi everybody!

Krystal Wade just released her first book Wilde’s Fire from her series Darkness Falls and she’s here today to tell us more about her stories, her writing and herself.

Welcome Krystal and thank you again for choosing The Manicheans as your platform!

Image may be NSFW.
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Let’s get started, shall we?

Hi Krystal!

Hi Johanna!

As always, thanks for passing by! You must be very excited about your first book release, and so are we. So naturally, what inspired you to write a YA fantasy story?

I read YA, so naturally, I write YA. I’m not 100% positive where the story came from, but for years, I’ve seen an image of a girl reaching out to touch something shimmering in a dense, green forest. That was all I had, and it took me about two years to give in, sit down, and write. I wrote a few chapters, decided I sucked at writing, read about a hundred books, then BAM, the full story hit me. I haven’t stopped writing since.

Well, I’ve read some of your writing and I can definitely say your writing doesn’t suck. Did you use real events and real people as inspiration for your trilogy?

LOL. Thanks. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Wilde’s Fire begins in modern-day Virginia then ends in a world more closely related to the 1500s than the 2000s. There are references to real people, things, places, etc, but most everything is made up.

Some of my characters do take on personalities of people I know, but I won’t tell you who. You can’t make me.

Hahahaha. Ok. Well I know what you mean because I also take inspiration from people I know. What is your favorite scene in Wilde’s Fire?

Can I give a blanket “This book rocks” to answer this questions? *Sigh* I think my favorite is when Arland takes Kate to his special place and gives her information that makes her head spin. This scene is layered with so many emotions. We really get a glimpse into the softer side of our fearless Leader Arland. (I can’t give too much away.)

*Sigh* Arland is a hottie. *Double sigh* I guess we’ll have to wait until we read the book to know more about him. Do you consider Kate your alter ego in the fiction world? What do you and what don’t you share with her?

I didn’t realize Kate and I share a lot of personality traits until after I edited Wilde’s Fire for the hundredth time. Her fascination with nature and her strength to keep moving, no matter the situation, is definitely from me. But if I were faced with the horrors she encounters, I’d probably crawl in a hole and die. (Did I just admit that?)

Well you never know what you’ll do, honestly. You might grab a heavy sword and start slaying relentlessly… Now, who are you favorite YA authors?

My favorite YA authors change frequently. Pretty much every time I read a new, amazing book. Suzanne Collins has probably been the most influential author I’ve read. The Hunger Games blew me away, and I reference them often. I recently read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (as you know because I told you I wanted my book to marry that book and have babies. I’m also Michelle Hodkin’s new, unofficial, stalker.) I love The Hobbit (Tolkien), The Chronicles of Narnia (Lewis), The Twilight Saga (Meyer, and I don’t want to hear it. She touched the hearts of millions.). Maggie Stiefvater is another author I love to follow. She is talented in so many ways. From her writing, to music, to art. She’s so creative. I usually spend hours digging around her blogs or vlogs.

I agree about Michelle Hodkin. The book she wrote is fantastic. I recently posted a review of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer you can find here if you’re interested. And I must admit, I don’t like Twilight but I respect Stephanie Meyer’s work tremendously. Naturally, who would you consider your mentor/strongest inspiration in the writing world?

Wow. This is tough. I’ve heard writing is a lonely profession, but it’s not. I’ve met so many amazing authors, musicians, artists, and readers. I don’t really want to say who’s been the most helpful. It’s a collaborative effort. Every one of my friends has helped develop ME and my writing. You are on that list, too.

Aw!!!! *Blushes* Well, you’re definitely a strong inspiration in my writing too. Here, I’m sending you flowers. LOL Would you write fantasy stories for the rest of your career or are you interested in other genres as well?

I don’t choose the genre. I write whatever I see. I’d like to finish writing My Life. The novel is a story about me and the struggles I endured to get where I am. One day, I’d like to see my painful past be a positive light in young people’s lives. Aside from that, most of the stories I have are fantasy/paranormal. I do have The Crow, which is more of a suspense, but I’ve been rethinking that one a bit. (Who knew this was a loaded question?)

I like that answer! And I’d like to see more from you in a different genre too! I could call you a writer with many faces. How do you juggle writing and everything else in your life?

Coffee. Patience. More coffee.

I do tea, patience, and then more tea. But the result’s the same. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Do you have any advice for other aspiring authors who’d like to write fantasy?

Don’t try too hard. Write what you feel and what you know. Find a critique partner and a bunch of beta readers/friends who aren’t afraid to tell you like it is. And most importantly, don’t be afraid of constructive criticism.

I agree! Red pen marks all over a piece of paper are the best learning tool! Last but not least, is there anything you’d like to say to your readers? And how will you react if Wilde’s Fire gets bad reviews?

Cry. Hide in my closet for a month. Start smoking again. Haha. Just kidding. Smoke free for six years, and I have no intention of going back. Here’s the truth: Everyone has an opinion. I don’t expect everyone to have the same opinion. Some people will like my book. Some people will hate my book. There will be quite a few who think it’s so-so (I hope). If I get a bad review, I go on with my life. Negativity will not stop me from writing. In fact, bad reviews will probably make me work harder.

To my fans: I love you. I hope Wilde’s Fire is everything you’re looking for in a novel.

Well, all I have to say is congratulations and thank you so much for being such a wonderful writer! Who knows? Maybe you’ll find yourself in one of my books! Image may be NSFW.
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