Kat Stiles
Author of Connected
 |  |
I first encountered Kat Stiles on Twitter, and decided to take a look
at her work and what other readers/authors were saying.
I'm happy to say that I've seen good things!
When I first thought of having author interviews, I knew I wanted to interview at least one author before I read their work. The goal would be to give myself a different perspective when I finally read their work. Let me say, I'm so glad I chose Kat for this!
I LOVE Kat's interview, and have a feeling you all will too. :)
Continue reading below for the interview!
For more information on Kat's book, Connected, see the end of the interview.
Happy Reading!
at her work and what other readers/authors were saying.
I'm happy to say that I've seen good things!
When I first thought of having author interviews, I knew I wanted to interview at least one author before I read their work. The goal would be to give myself a different perspective when I finally read their work. Let me say, I'm so glad I chose Kat for this!
I LOVE Kat's interview, and have a feeling you all will too. :)
Continue reading below for the interview!
For more information on Kat's book, Connected, see the end of the interview.
Happy Reading!
Please introduce yourself.
I’m Kat Stiles, author of the amazing novel Connected (hehe). I've been writing since grade school, but my primary focus for the past decade or so has been YA Paranormal fiction, because it's just so much fun.
Let’s see… I live in Texas now but I’m originally from Jersey and still pronounce the word “coffee” as if it contains a “w” in it. I have two wonderful children, a boy and a girl aged 1 ½ and 5 years old, respectively. I’m in love with a good man who puts up with all my quirks.
For fun I like to read YA, horror, and existentialist fiction, as well as watch cartoons, movies, and sometimes even cartoon movies. I try to remember to breathe most days and realize I need to have as much fun as humanly possible in this lifetime. Happiness is everything.
When did you decide to become a writer?
Do you have a particular method for writing your novel(s)? (Detailed outline, go with the flow, etc.)
Is there a well-known novel you would compare yours to?
Who is the character you most relate to in your novel? How so?
Feedback from readers is what we all strive to obtain. Will you share one of your best pieces of feedback from a reader? It can be positive or negative.
Have you ever received a negative review or comment from a reader? If so, what was your reaction?
How do you market/promote your novel? Have you found one technique which seems to be most successful?
What’s next for you? Do you have a project in the works?
What do you think is the best and most distinguishing aspect of your novel? (If more than one novel, please specify which you are discussing.)
Just a fun and optional question:
Think of an epic scene in your novel. It can be an action sequence, romantic scene, sad moment, whatever!
When you think about this particular scene, can you think of a song that would be amazing as background music? For example, Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On in the ending scene of Titanic.
Please briefly describe the scene and list the song by title and artist for readers’ references.
To connect with Kat Stiles, or to learn more about her work, see any one of the sites below!
Thanks for the awesome interview, Kat! Now I can't wait to read Connected!
-Samantha
I’m Kat Stiles, author of the amazing novel Connected (hehe). I've been writing since grade school, but my primary focus for the past decade or so has been YA Paranormal fiction, because it's just so much fun.
Let’s see… I live in Texas now but I’m originally from Jersey and still pronounce the word “coffee” as if it contains a “w” in it. I have two wonderful children, a boy and a girl aged 1 ½ and 5 years old, respectively. I’m in love with a good man who puts up with all my quirks.
For fun I like to read YA, horror, and existentialist fiction, as well as watch cartoons, movies, and sometimes even cartoon movies. I try to remember to breathe most days and realize I need to have as much fun as humanly possible in this lifetime. Happiness is everything.
When did you decide to become a writer?
- I’ve always wanted to write, from when I was a little girl. I got sucked into the dark side (IT) as database administration provides a more stable and healthy income than any jobs in my major, which of course was English. I think I got the inspiration to actually write a novel when I finished Twilight. I fell in love with YA fiction at that moment, and started writing Connected soon thereafter.
Do you have a particular method for writing your novel(s)? (Detailed outline, go with the flow, etc.)
- I’ve written free style and using an outline. An outline seems a little more comprehensive and organized, but sometimes writing is akin to exorcising a demon. So I don’t restrict myself to one method or the other.
Is there a well-known novel you would compare yours to?
- The romance aspect of it is similar to Twilight, but the characters and the powers are more like the Heroes TV show.
Who is the character you most relate to in your novel? How so?
- It’s no coincidence that Em is “me” spelled backwards. I grew up with the same kind of insecurities and general venom from my classmates. And I’d like to think I have a good heart, too. :)
Feedback from readers is what we all strive to obtain. Will you share one of your best pieces of feedback from a reader? It can be positive or negative.
- I’ve gotten some great positive feedback, it’s hard to choose. This one is one of my favorites: “The book has done true justice to its title - Connected. I was connected and hooked to the book, right from the first page.”
Have you ever received a negative review or comment from a reader? If so, what was your reaction?
- Oh, yeah I just read a lengthy 1-star review from Goodreads. My reaction? I took one of my little girl’s stuffed animals and slammed its head repeatedly in the door. Just kidding, I can’t take anything that seriously. I understand Connected is not for everyone. The review had some valid points, but I get that it really comes down to being a preference thing.
How do you market/promote your novel? Have you found one technique which seems to be most successful?
- Still trying to figure out the whole promotion thing. I’ve recently tried smaller promos like GoodKindle, eBookSoda, and more expensive ones like Facebook Ads. I’ll let you know when I find a really successful one. :)
What’s next for you? Do you have a project in the works?
- Yes, the sequel to Connected is about 2/3 completed. Hoping to publish that sometime next year, or possibly 2017.
What do you think is the best and most distinguishing aspect of your novel? (If more than one novel, please specify which you are discussing.)
- Probably the super powers – I tried to keep them as organic as possible. That and the overall message of the book, to breathe and just be yourself.
Just a fun and optional question:
Think of an epic scene in your novel. It can be an action sequence, romantic scene, sad moment, whatever!
When you think about this particular scene, can you think of a song that would be amazing as background music? For example, Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On in the ending scene of Titanic.
Please briefly describe the scene and list the song by title and artist for readers’ references.
- One of my favorite romantic scenes has to be the bedroom scene with Em and Tommy, in which she sneaks Tommy into her bedroom on a rainy night, after a disturbing turn of events. It’s got a lot of charged emotions in it, and I think “Everlong” by the Foo Fighters would be perfect for that scene.
To connect with Kat Stiles, or to learn more about her work, see any one of the sites below!
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/katstilesauthor
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/katstilesauthor
- Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Katstiles
- Blog: http://www.katstiles.com
Thanks for the awesome interview, Kat! Now I can't wait to read Connected!
-Samantha
Connected by Kat Stiles
| Genre: YA Paranormal Romance Ages: 12+ What if the thing that caused you the most embarrassment in your life, turned out to be a gift? Em’s always been self-conscious about her sweaty hands. Constant ridicule by her peers didn’t help, until one day when she learns the amazing truth – her hands can heal. But she’s not the only one with a special ability. Her best friend Roz has visions of the future and the new boy, Tommy, can hear the softest sounds. When Roz starts having visions of murders, Em and her friends must use their gifts to find and stop the killer. |  |
Continue reading for a SNEAK PEAK of Connected!
Somehow I thought I would know when my life was in mortal danger. I’m not talking spidey sense or anything, just some kind of clue something bad is about to happen. I guess I got the idea from the movies. Real life, I found, is very different.
Here’s the thing: my hometown of Cannondale is as far from interesting as it comes. The picture of central Texas surburbia, it’s a quiet little city where nothing happens, apart from an occasional trampling at the outlet mall when the Coach store has a clearance sale. The kind of place that feels safe to walk around at night, especially in the cookie cutter middle-class subdivision that was my neighborhood. My walk went undisturbed until I heard the sound of a thump, thump, thump, followed by a long buzz… It took me a second to figure out the noise was rap music, trying to escape out a car window. Another joyride, I thought.
Then the tires screeched. I whipped my head around out of instinct, but all I could see were two headlights headed straight for me. Frozen to the spot, my eyes snapped shut. As if that would in some way stop it. And in the three seconds before the car rammed into me, my only thought was whether or not it would hit me hard enough to get me out of school tomorrow.
A sick crunching noise sounded when my feet left the ground, and I caught some air before falling back down with a thud. The strange thing was the absence of any pain. What did register was the pounding of my heart, more from surprise than the impact of the car. As I lay on the ground, motionless, I heard a car door slam, followed by footsteps.
“I think you killed her. Dude, you are so screwed…”
I couldn’t get my eyes to open. God, am I really hurt?
“She’s fine, she’s not even bleeding,” a different voice said, right when the other guy heaved. The smell of beer mixed with half-digested food filled my nose.
A barely discernible whisper repeated over and over, “Oh God, what am I going to do?”
“Who is she?”
The voices grew closer.
With all my might, I tried to lift my arm. Nothing. Why can’t I feel anything? My heart began to race.
“I don’t know her.” A shaking hand pushed the hair away from my face, but still my eyes refused to open.
“I thought you knew all the girls at school.”
“Wasn’t she a freshman last year? Amy…Em…uh, Emily.”
“Good. Now you know who you killed.”
“Don’t be stupid. She can’t be dead.” The voice was louder now—one of them had come closer. “Look, her chest, I saw it. She’s breathing.”
“Are you delusional? She’s not moving.”
It was then the pain set in. My thighs burned, a fire consuming my legs. I tried to scream, but my lips wouldn’t budge. Am I paralyzed?
“Wait a minute… Something’s wrong.”
“No shit, Sherlock. You killed a pedestrian.”
“No, I mean with me. I…I can’t feel―”
“You’re right, she is breathing.” One of them shook my shoulders. “Hello? You okay?”
And then it got really weird.
A wave of heat flashed through me like a current, awakening every little nerve ending. My body convulsed while it passed through, but it didn’t hurt—it was sorta like the prickly feeling of a foot falling asleep, before the tingling turns to pain. Then a glimmer of the richest purple I’d ever seen appeared, spiraling beneath my closed eyelids.
“If she’s breathing, she’s fine. Someone’ll find her.”
“We can’t leave her… What if she’s paralyzed? Or brain dead?” Footsteps paced back and forth in front of me.
The tingling concentrated in my legs, amplifying the warmth. What’s happening to me? Am I…dying?
“Uh…uh, 911. Let’s call 911.”
“And tell them what? You know we’re both screwed if the cops catch us. I’m not going to juvie for you. I’m outta here.”
What do I do now? I still couldn’t move or speak. My legs grew hotter, while at the same time the pain started to subside. Is this what it feels like to die? No, it can’t be… I’m not ready. A lump formed in my throat as I waited for that ominous white light all those near-death survivors talk about. But it never came.
A car door opened, just as a dog barked in the distance. Then the engine fired to life: a throaty, guttural outburst. The dog barked even louder, as if to answer it.
“Someone’s coming. Dude, get in!”
The heat surged through my body a final time, and my temperature returned to normal. At first, only a couple of fingers moved, and then my control returned back all at once. My eyes slowly flickered open.
“I’m sorry,” whispered the boy who I assumed was the driver. It was all so hazy, his face was nothing but two black holes against a white mask.
Even after rubbing my eyes, everything still appeared blurry. Was that a red car? Definitely something sporty from the sound of the engine.
They peeled out, leaving behind the smell of burnt rubber and a horrible screeching sound ringing in my ears again. My eyes finally adjusted, and I saw an older woman approaching. Her beagle trotted up and licked my hand.
“Sweetie, are you all right? Did you fall down?”
“I’m fine,” I answered without thinking. But when I made it to my feet and brushed myself off, I discovered it wasn’t a lie.
The pain was completely gone.
Here’s the thing: my hometown of Cannondale is as far from interesting as it comes. The picture of central Texas surburbia, it’s a quiet little city where nothing happens, apart from an occasional trampling at the outlet mall when the Coach store has a clearance sale. The kind of place that feels safe to walk around at night, especially in the cookie cutter middle-class subdivision that was my neighborhood. My walk went undisturbed until I heard the sound of a thump, thump, thump, followed by a long buzz… It took me a second to figure out the noise was rap music, trying to escape out a car window. Another joyride, I thought.
Then the tires screeched. I whipped my head around out of instinct, but all I could see were two headlights headed straight for me. Frozen to the spot, my eyes snapped shut. As if that would in some way stop it. And in the three seconds before the car rammed into me, my only thought was whether or not it would hit me hard enough to get me out of school tomorrow.
A sick crunching noise sounded when my feet left the ground, and I caught some air before falling back down with a thud. The strange thing was the absence of any pain. What did register was the pounding of my heart, more from surprise than the impact of the car. As I lay on the ground, motionless, I heard a car door slam, followed by footsteps.
“I think you killed her. Dude, you are so screwed…”
I couldn’t get my eyes to open. God, am I really hurt?
“She’s fine, she’s not even bleeding,” a different voice said, right when the other guy heaved. The smell of beer mixed with half-digested food filled my nose.
A barely discernible whisper repeated over and over, “Oh God, what am I going to do?”
“Who is she?”
The voices grew closer.
With all my might, I tried to lift my arm. Nothing. Why can’t I feel anything? My heart began to race.
“I don’t know her.” A shaking hand pushed the hair away from my face, but still my eyes refused to open.
“I thought you knew all the girls at school.”
“Wasn’t she a freshman last year? Amy…Em…uh, Emily.”
“Good. Now you know who you killed.”
“Don’t be stupid. She can’t be dead.” The voice was louder now—one of them had come closer. “Look, her chest, I saw it. She’s breathing.”
“Are you delusional? She’s not moving.”
It was then the pain set in. My thighs burned, a fire consuming my legs. I tried to scream, but my lips wouldn’t budge. Am I paralyzed?
“Wait a minute… Something’s wrong.”
“No shit, Sherlock. You killed a pedestrian.”
“No, I mean with me. I…I can’t feel―”
“You’re right, she is breathing.” One of them shook my shoulders. “Hello? You okay?”
And then it got really weird.
A wave of heat flashed through me like a current, awakening every little nerve ending. My body convulsed while it passed through, but it didn’t hurt—it was sorta like the prickly feeling of a foot falling asleep, before the tingling turns to pain. Then a glimmer of the richest purple I’d ever seen appeared, spiraling beneath my closed eyelids.
“If she’s breathing, she’s fine. Someone’ll find her.”
“We can’t leave her… What if she’s paralyzed? Or brain dead?” Footsteps paced back and forth in front of me.
The tingling concentrated in my legs, amplifying the warmth. What’s happening to me? Am I…dying?
“Uh…uh, 911. Let’s call 911.”
“And tell them what? You know we’re both screwed if the cops catch us. I’m not going to juvie for you. I’m outta here.”
What do I do now? I still couldn’t move or speak. My legs grew hotter, while at the same time the pain started to subside. Is this what it feels like to die? No, it can’t be… I’m not ready. A lump formed in my throat as I waited for that ominous white light all those near-death survivors talk about. But it never came.
A car door opened, just as a dog barked in the distance. Then the engine fired to life: a throaty, guttural outburst. The dog barked even louder, as if to answer it.
“Someone’s coming. Dude, get in!”
The heat surged through my body a final time, and my temperature returned to normal. At first, only a couple of fingers moved, and then my control returned back all at once. My eyes slowly flickered open.
“I’m sorry,” whispered the boy who I assumed was the driver. It was all so hazy, his face was nothing but two black holes against a white mask.
Even after rubbing my eyes, everything still appeared blurry. Was that a red car? Definitely something sporty from the sound of the engine.
They peeled out, leaving behind the smell of burnt rubber and a horrible screeching sound ringing in my ears again. My eyes finally adjusted, and I saw an older woman approaching. Her beagle trotted up and licked my hand.
“Sweetie, are you all right? Did you fall down?”
“I’m fine,” I answered without thinking. But when I made it to my feet and brushed myself off, I discovered it wasn’t a lie.
The pain was completely gone.
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