Meet Emily Kinney, Author of The Island of Lote
What inspired you to become a children's author?
Well, I guess because I never out-grew the category. I’ve always loved children’s books, which of course range from Dr. Seuss, to Lemony Snicket, to Lauren Oliver, because even young adults are only slightly grown up children. I’m only twenty-one, so I don’t know if my tastes will change as I continue to age, but so far I’ve never felt any inclination to venture into the world of adult literature. Naturally, I love classics like The Hunchback of Notre Dame and East of Eden, but real-deal, hard-core adult fiction by authors like Dan Brown and Danielle Steele hasn’t enticed me as of yet. I’ve browsed, to be sure, but always come back to the kids’ room in the library. Children’s books have so much more imagination than other genres, and imagination is my forte. There’s also something very pure about the type of stories in children’s literature; there are no drugs, or slaughtering, or sexuality, and even in the young adult world it is still somewhat toned down. I’m not big on any of those things anyway, so it’s good for me to be in a lane where they are excluded. I mean, as I said before, I’m still young, so my preference are bound to change and to mature, and I don’t even really consider myself strictly a children’s author, so there may come a time when I do write about those things. However, I would prefer, if that ever happens, to do it in a very moral way. I’m a Christian, and so obviously there’s some things I don’t condone, and, without losing any of the storytelling craft, I would want to explore those issues in a way that clearly shows I don’t support them. But, as I age, I’m leaning more and more towards young adult fiction, and those sorts of books tend to deal with those issues, as well as display all the little, conflicting feelings of how teens feel about them. That will probably be my main realm in the future, but I in no way want to limit myself. I want to explore, be innovative, and experience different kinds and age levels of literature.
How did you come up with the idea for The Island of Lote?
I was fourteen when I wrote the first draft of this book. It was one of the most joyous experiences of my life, because there was so much creative freedom and discovery. The words simply flowed from my head, down my arm, through the pen, and onto the page. It was wonderful, exhilarating, and when I finished, I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I had started books before this one, but none ever went anywhere. I lacked discipline and focus, which are key factors in writing books. Ever since I could form comprehensible thoughts, I had been coming up with stories in my head, usually just to entertain myself, but whenever I would attempt to put anything down on paper, it just never went anywhere. By the time eighth grade hit, I was ready and determined to hash out a complete novel. And I wanted to do it from scratch, instead of using one of the many, many ideas I had previously developed. So, with the help of a friend, I came up with a start to a plot, deciding I would build on it later. However, after I had penned the first one or two pages, I found that I couldn't remember what my basic idea had been. No matter how much I wracked my brain, I couldn't recall it. Frustrated, but resolved not to abandon the project, I decided to go in an entirely different direction. I don't remember exactly where the idea for an island came from, but I do know that I had just fallen deeply in love with hip-hop, and attitude was on my mind. I was thinking about how heroines turned victims to the overpowering affection of "jungle men" were so timid and fragile. They were both human, though their languages were different, so understanding each other was out of the question, but the intentions were still made well known through actions. Such as the man caressing the cheek of the woman and standing way too close. Generally, the woman's response to such advancements are embarrassment and fear, but always underlined with a sense of generosity and curiosity. It bugged me. Where were the girls with attitude? Where were the sassy ladies, whose main language was sarcasm? This concept intrigued me, and struck me as very funny. Lo and behold, Milo Hestler was born.
What do you think children will enjoy most about your books?
Right now all I have out is The Island of Lote, which I would definitely recommend for only twelve and up, even though kids are maturing so quickly nowadays that there are probably a lot of youngsters that would enjoy it anyway. There are just some themes in the book that I personally feel shouldn’t be subjected to children of a certain age. However, I do have plans for books that are aimed specifically at the junior fiction section of the library. And I think children will like the imagination most of all. I think children’s books, depending on the genre, since some children’s books can be very simple and profound, should be loaded with imagination. Kids, especially young kids, are at that ripe, vital time when their minds are developed enough that they can expand and flourish. This is the moment to aim them in the right direction; teach them the ethics and principles, but also to show them how to soar without ever touching the ground, and the possibilities that await beyond reality. Being a kid, in between infantry and adulthood, or the infamous, cynical teen years, is the last frontier of wonder and discovery before everything starts going downhill. It’s a shame, but it’s true. This is a major reason why many, despite increasing number of their age, refuse to exit that kid frame of mind and soul. I know I do. You try invoking wonder in a thirty-one year old. It’s hard. It’s nearly impossible. That’s why I believe children should get the most amount of literary attention, because they are the one who’ll appreciate it the most. The sad truth is that kids are getting desensitized today. If they are the future, and their spirits are already becoming dull and apathetic, what does that say for our future? Yes, books may be fiction, but fiction inspires, and inspiration is always needed in reality.
What advice would you give to a new author trying to get their book published?
Want it, crave it, remind yourself daily that this is your dream and your dream is a huge chunk of your soul. People don’t get why books, storytelling, and writing mean so much to me. It’s because it’s all a part of my soul; it’s who I am, it’s what makes up the fabric of my being, it’s my identity. Don’t you cherish your identity? There always has to be a next step, though. Dreams, no matter how nice or awe-inspiring they are, are virtually useless unless they are put into action. The storyteller finds a way to share his or her stories with the world, and explores various means of conveying and relaying those stories. For me, it’s writing and acting. Acting will come later, hopefully, but for now it is glorious to finally break through with books. And, no, it’s not easy. You would have to have many connections and out-of-the-norm opportunities for it to be easy. If anything has the word “industry” attached to it, you must be aware and accepting of the fact that they want to make money. Yes, money is stupid and dirty and corporate, and all those other nasty things that true artists are supposed to hate and avoid, but if you want to make it at all in the big, bright, burly world, you must willingly contend with this. My advice is accept it and work with it; it’s pointless complaining. This doesn’t mean you can’t make rebellious, awesome art; you’re just going to have to be smart about it. Do research. A lot of research. Take the time to fully understand the animal that you are about to go into the cage with. Much of the scary will be eliminated if you do this, and nowadays it’s just so easy. The internet is a wonderful thing, as we all know. It is your friend and a terrific tool. Other than that, have perseverance (you will need it), have a support team, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and just be confident. If you feel like you don’t have a right to confidence, then improve. Either do it better or move on. Don’t forget that literature is an art, and you have to respect that art. No art is worth pursuing if you don’t immerse yourself fully into it. By doing a thorough study of what you love, and realizing your own feelings and opinions about it, you will feel more capable and at home in it. It will become a part of you. It has for me.
Are you currently working on other books?
I'm always working on other books. I’ve had a huge list for a very long time. There’s always something else to do; whether it’s developing a premise, making character charts, or drawing a map, the progress must go on. I have two bins, one labeled “Definites” and one labeled “Indefinites”, and they jammed with notebooks. Stories come to me very naturally, and extremely easily, and most of them are usually good. Therefore, my notebooks have accumulated over the years. It’s okay, though, because I try to stay very organized, with things like bins and lists. I know what books I will be focusing on when, and which ones I will be working on on the side. I’m super excited about a lot of them. Each story is different, and I’m counting on them to show my versatility as an author and storyteller. However, timing is always an issue, and I don’t always like to talk about my other projects because it most likely will be a long time before they will be ready for the public. But I keep up with them all, and enjoy being the only one who knows what will be unleashed on the world in the future. This is a career, not a hobby, and I think I’ve set myself up nicely. For now, though, I’m only focusing on getting The Island of Lote into the public eye. No matter how long I’ve been at this, I’m still new and introductions are important.
You can find out more about Emily Kinney and The Island of Lote by visiting http://sbpra.com/emilykinney.
Well, I guess because I never out-grew the category. I’ve always loved children’s books, which of course range from Dr. Seuss, to Lemony Snicket, to Lauren Oliver, because even young adults are only slightly grown up children. I’m only twenty-one, so I don’t know if my tastes will change as I continue to age, but so far I’ve never felt any inclination to venture into the world of adult literature. Naturally, I love classics like The Hunchback of Notre Dame and East of Eden, but real-deal, hard-core adult fiction by authors like Dan Brown and Danielle Steele hasn’t enticed me as of yet. I’ve browsed, to be sure, but always come back to the kids’ room in the library. Children’s books have so much more imagination than other genres, and imagination is my forte. There’s also something very pure about the type of stories in children’s literature; there are no drugs, or slaughtering, or sexuality, and even in the young adult world it is still somewhat toned down. I’m not big on any of those things anyway, so it’s good for me to be in a lane where they are excluded. I mean, as I said before, I’m still young, so my preference are bound to change and to mature, and I don’t even really consider myself strictly a children’s author, so there may come a time when I do write about those things. However, I would prefer, if that ever happens, to do it in a very moral way. I’m a Christian, and so obviously there’s some things I don’t condone, and, without losing any of the storytelling craft, I would want to explore those issues in a way that clearly shows I don’t support them. But, as I age, I’m leaning more and more towards young adult fiction, and those sorts of books tend to deal with those issues, as well as display all the little, conflicting feelings of how teens feel about them. That will probably be my main realm in the future, but I in no way want to limit myself. I want to explore, be innovative, and experience different kinds and age levels of literature.
How did you come up with the idea for The Island of Lote?
I was fourteen when I wrote the first draft of this book. It was one of the most joyous experiences of my life, because there was so much creative freedom and discovery. The words simply flowed from my head, down my arm, through the pen, and onto the page. It was wonderful, exhilarating, and when I finished, I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I had started books before this one, but none ever went anywhere. I lacked discipline and focus, which are key factors in writing books. Ever since I could form comprehensible thoughts, I had been coming up with stories in my head, usually just to entertain myself, but whenever I would attempt to put anything down on paper, it just never went anywhere. By the time eighth grade hit, I was ready and determined to hash out a complete novel. And I wanted to do it from scratch, instead of using one of the many, many ideas I had previously developed. So, with the help of a friend, I came up with a start to a plot, deciding I would build on it later. However, after I had penned the first one or two pages, I found that I couldn't remember what my basic idea had been. No matter how much I wracked my brain, I couldn't recall it. Frustrated, but resolved not to abandon the project, I decided to go in an entirely different direction. I don't remember exactly where the idea for an island came from, but I do know that I had just fallen deeply in love with hip-hop, and attitude was on my mind. I was thinking about how heroines turned victims to the overpowering affection of "jungle men" were so timid and fragile. They were both human, though their languages were different, so understanding each other was out of the question, but the intentions were still made well known through actions. Such as the man caressing the cheek of the woman and standing way too close. Generally, the woman's response to such advancements are embarrassment and fear, but always underlined with a sense of generosity and curiosity. It bugged me. Where were the girls with attitude? Where were the sassy ladies, whose main language was sarcasm? This concept intrigued me, and struck me as very funny. Lo and behold, Milo Hestler was born.
What do you think children will enjoy most about your books?
Right now all I have out is The Island of Lote, which I would definitely recommend for only twelve and up, even though kids are maturing so quickly nowadays that there are probably a lot of youngsters that would enjoy it anyway. There are just some themes in the book that I personally feel shouldn’t be subjected to children of a certain age. However, I do have plans for books that are aimed specifically at the junior fiction section of the library. And I think children will like the imagination most of all. I think children’s books, depending on the genre, since some children’s books can be very simple and profound, should be loaded with imagination. Kids, especially young kids, are at that ripe, vital time when their minds are developed enough that they can expand and flourish. This is the moment to aim them in the right direction; teach them the ethics and principles, but also to show them how to soar without ever touching the ground, and the possibilities that await beyond reality. Being a kid, in between infantry and adulthood, or the infamous, cynical teen years, is the last frontier of wonder and discovery before everything starts going downhill. It’s a shame, but it’s true. This is a major reason why many, despite increasing number of their age, refuse to exit that kid frame of mind and soul. I know I do. You try invoking wonder in a thirty-one year old. It’s hard. It’s nearly impossible. That’s why I believe children should get the most amount of literary attention, because they are the one who’ll appreciate it the most. The sad truth is that kids are getting desensitized today. If they are the future, and their spirits are already becoming dull and apathetic, what does that say for our future? Yes, books may be fiction, but fiction inspires, and inspiration is always needed in reality.
What advice would you give to a new author trying to get their book published?
Want it, crave it, remind yourself daily that this is your dream and your dream is a huge chunk of your soul. People don’t get why books, storytelling, and writing mean so much to me. It’s because it’s all a part of my soul; it’s who I am, it’s what makes up the fabric of my being, it’s my identity. Don’t you cherish your identity? There always has to be a next step, though. Dreams, no matter how nice or awe-inspiring they are, are virtually useless unless they are put into action. The storyteller finds a way to share his or her stories with the world, and explores various means of conveying and relaying those stories. For me, it’s writing and acting. Acting will come later, hopefully, but for now it is glorious to finally break through with books. And, no, it’s not easy. You would have to have many connections and out-of-the-norm opportunities for it to be easy. If anything has the word “industry” attached to it, you must be aware and accepting of the fact that they want to make money. Yes, money is stupid and dirty and corporate, and all those other nasty things that true artists are supposed to hate and avoid, but if you want to make it at all in the big, bright, burly world, you must willingly contend with this. My advice is accept it and work with it; it’s pointless complaining. This doesn’t mean you can’t make rebellious, awesome art; you’re just going to have to be smart about it. Do research. A lot of research. Take the time to fully understand the animal that you are about to go into the cage with. Much of the scary will be eliminated if you do this, and nowadays it’s just so easy. The internet is a wonderful thing, as we all know. It is your friend and a terrific tool. Other than that, have perseverance (you will need it), have a support team, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and just be confident. If you feel like you don’t have a right to confidence, then improve. Either do it better or move on. Don’t forget that literature is an art, and you have to respect that art. No art is worth pursuing if you don’t immerse yourself fully into it. By doing a thorough study of what you love, and realizing your own feelings and opinions about it, you will feel more capable and at home in it. It will become a part of you. It has for me.
Are you currently working on other books?
I'm always working on other books. I’ve had a huge list for a very long time. There’s always something else to do; whether it’s developing a premise, making character charts, or drawing a map, the progress must go on. I have two bins, one labeled “Definites” and one labeled “Indefinites”, and they jammed with notebooks. Stories come to me very naturally, and extremely easily, and most of them are usually good. Therefore, my notebooks have accumulated over the years. It’s okay, though, because I try to stay very organized, with things like bins and lists. I know what books I will be focusing on when, and which ones I will be working on on the side. I’m super excited about a lot of them. Each story is different, and I’m counting on them to show my versatility as an author and storyteller. However, timing is always an issue, and I don’t always like to talk about my other projects because it most likely will be a long time before they will be ready for the public. But I keep up with them all, and enjoy being the only one who knows what will be unleashed on the world in the future. This is a career, not a hobby, and I think I’ve set myself up nicely. For now, though, I’m only focusing on getting The Island of Lote into the public eye. No matter how long I’ve been at this, I’m still new and introductions are important.
You can find out more about Emily Kinney and The Island of Lote by visiting http://sbpra.com/emilykinney.
Stacie Theis / beachboundbooks@yahoo.com / copyright 2012