A Starr is Rising! Interview with Author Kim Briggs
Bestselling author, mother, and avid book lover Kim Briggs can do it all. Not only does she write books that make readers want to cry one second, then scream with delight the next, but she does all this as well as inspiring hundreds of her followers on Twitter to embrace their love for writing.
I was lucky enough to have had the chance to interview her about her new series, her inspirations behind becoming such a wonderfully successful up and coming author, and advice on how to get the most out of life:
Me: So you're doing so wonderful with your books recently, I was wondering what made you want to be an author?
Kim: I don't know really, I've always loved reading and writing. I just decided one day to sit down and start. I've always wanted to do it, and then I just kind of started writing and then never stopped.
Me: That's amazing! I know that becoming an author can be tough, what would you say is the hardest part of becoming an author?
Kim: Probably getting published. Everything else came naturally to me, and I found easier, but sending out your book to publisher after publisher, it was hard. Rejections especially were hard to deal with, but then I joined a critique group and it really helped. It was nice to chat with Alison about the books and I found it got easier after that!
Me: Starr Fall is your first series of books in the Young Adult genre, what helped to inspire the narrative of the series?
Kim: I actually had a dream about it! I had a dream where I was an assassin and an Organisation was chasing me, and then I woke up and had the plot for the book! Instead I just made her 17 years old, and basically everything I wanted to be as a teenager; confident and strong!
Me: I love that so much! You mentioned that Starr is everything you wanted to be as a teenager, what would you say your favourite characteristic is about Starr?
Kim: I think she is a really caring person. She's very protective of her friends, as you'll find as the series continues, and she's also very stubborn. She always puts others before herself, and I love that about her, she inspires her friends and always looks out for them.
Me: I hope that Starr can become an inspiration for many readers all over the world! Who would you say are your biggest inspirations?
Kim: Whoever I'm reading at the time really! Definitely Stephenie Meyer [Author of Twilight], her books were the first Young Adult books I read and I loved that I could just enjoy them. Recently as well Sarah J. Maas [Author of Throne of Glass] has become a huge influence to me. The way she writes in third person is absolutely brilliant, I could read her books forever.
Me: I'm so glad you love Sarah, she's my favourite as I'm sure you knew! *I talk about her all the time on my blog*
Kim: I did, I was excited to tell you I was reading her books!
Me: I'm so happy! You mentioned before that you've always been a reader, and it was something that helped you transition into being an author. I know why I love reading, but why have you always loved reading so much?
Kim: I just love being able to escape into another world. I can be in the story with them, and that journey is something I love.
Me: I'm exactly the same, and now your series is out, readers can do just that with your books! I know the Starr Fall series started out as an eBook but recently have gotten printed! How did it feel to hear your books were being published in print?
Kim: I was super excited! It was amazing because I went to a bookstore that has physical copies of my books in there so I went to see them and it was surreal. I was at an event the other day and a woman saw my banner for Starr Fall and walked up to me and said 'OMG you're Kim Briggs' to which I replied I was,and then she told me she was going to buy my book but wanted to buy it from me instead! It was an amazing experience and I loved it.
Me: I can imagine that was crazy, but the best thing ever! I imagine that situations like that are amazingly motivating, but something I struggle with is constantly having the motivation to write and produce work frequently. What do you do to help yourself stay motivated?
Kim: I always read a lot, and exercise! I also like to search and see what other authors are doing to stay motivated, or what parts of writing they're up to! I've also recently hopped onto Instagram and I'm addicted. I love sharing images and looking at other peoples, so if I'm struggling to stay motivated I hop onto Instagram for a small amount of time and then feel refreshed to get back to it!
Me: I love your Instagram so much, it's such a calming way to relax isn't it?
Kim: Yes, the pictures on there are amazing to look at!
Me: Okay so going back to your book; Starr Gone, the third book in the series came out last month [June 2nd], and a lot of character development happens! We also get to see the main story from a different perspective in this book, but out of all the characters within the series, who is your favourite to write scenes for?
Kim: Oh but I love writing them all! Sometimes I just have a day where I purely write Starr scenes, and some days I purely write other characters scenes. Or I mix it up! I love all the characters so much, I just can't imagine the series without any of them!
Me: Me neither, they all make the book such an amazing read! I know you love all the characters, but out of all of them which character would you love to be friends with in real life?
Kim: Definitely Di and Rebecca, oh and Coda and Ben! Frank is actually based on one of my real life best friends I had, so I guess I'd probably say him too!
Me: I love that you have real life inspirations behind the characters too, that adds such a personal aspect! What are your plans for the near future?
Kim: I'm actually working on a new Young Adult Fantasy/Contemporary book which is almost done. I've also started writing the fourth book in the Starr Fall series which should be out next year hopefully, as well as working on a non fiction picture book!
Me: Wow so busy schedules then! I know you host a 5am Writers Chat on Twitter, inspiring others to begin their day by writing and getting through their deadlines, so what advice would you give to us university students about our way through university?
Kim: Always say yes. Don't be afraid to dive in to new experiences, and always be open minded. Also never forget to be stubborn, persevere and don't forget that criticism and rejection is part of the process to get you on the right track to success!
Me: Thank you, that is brilliant. Finally, I thought we'd end on a light note and a bit of a hard test for you! Can you describe the overall plot of the first book in the Starr Fall series in five words?
Kim: Oh man that's hard! Ummm…could I do it in six please? It works perfectly!
Me: Okay I'll allow it!
Kim: Thank you! I'd describe it as: 'One Starr Falls, A Killer Rises'. The tagline for the book sums it up perfectly!
Me: The perfect amount of information and intrigue into the story, I like it!
Kim: That's what I thought!
Me: Thank you so much for this interview, I've absolutely loved talking to you! I'll make sure to leave links at the end of the article so people can find you and your books!
Kim: Thank you so much for having me, it's been a pleasure!
There you have it, my interview with the lovely Kim Briggs! It was an absolute pleasure to talk to her and to hear about her inspirations behind such a wonderful series. I can't wait to see how the series continues, and what the next year has in store for her,
For more information about her books, her writing inspirations or just to find out more about her, make sure to check out her website: http://www.kimbriggswrite.com/
You can also find Kim on Twitter @KimBriggsWrite and on Instagram @kimbriggswrite and the link to the first book in the Starr Fall series can be found in eBook format here and paperback format here!
