# Please introduce yourself and your book(s)!
My name is Kate Hershberger. I am an indie author who writes a little bit of everything, but mostly focus on lesbian fiction. I have self published a murder mystery as well as a trilogy of urban fantasy books. I’ve also just recently finished my first draft of a western novel that I hope to release later this year.
# What inspires/inspired your creativity?
Normally, I’ll get a random ‘What if?’ question that pops in my head. What if there was a group of friends and one of their husbands was found dead and one of them were suspected of murder? (The basis for my murder mystery, “Crutches”) What if there were twin werewolves, one an alpha and the other an omega, but the alpha doesn’t want to lead her family’s pack? (The basis for my urban fantasy series “The Collins Trilogy”).
# How do you deal with creative block?
Sometimes the best thing to do is take a step back and focus on other things. Reading usually helps me.
# Do you have tips on choosing titles and covers?
I think a book cover should really grasp any potential readers. There have been many times I wanted to know more about a book based off the cover alone. If you can, work with an independent artist to help you design an eye catching cover.
# How do bad reviews and negative feedback affect you and how do you deal with them?
We’re all human, so sometimes the negative feedback or bad reviews can be discouraging. The best thing to remember is that while someone disliked your book, someone else out there loved it. You can’t please everyone and that’s okay.
# What were the best, worst and most surprising things you encountered during the entire process of completing your book(s)?
Best: Actually completing a novel.
Worst: Blocks. I’ve spent days trying to write something and get nothing. Or worse, I’ll write something and then realize that it just doesn’t work, so I’ll delete it all and start again.
Most surprising: There have been several times when I think I know how the story will end and then my characters take me in a whole other direction. For example, the third novel in my trilogy (“The Heir”) I had no plans for one of the characters to get pregnant. EVER. But, if she didn’t, the book would have been pretty boring and there would be no follow up story.
# Do you tend towards personal satisfaction or aim to serve your readers? Do you balance the two and how?
A little of both. I usually write the story that I can’t get out of my head and pray that my readers like it.
# Do you have any creativity tricks?
Sometimes I’ll use mood music to help keep me motivated. If I have to write a fight scene, I’ll usually listen to some head banging rock. If it’s a romantic love scene, I might listen to some ballads or jazz. With my western, I listened to the Django soundtrack on repeat.
# What are your plans for future books?
As I mentioned, I’m currently finishing up a western novel. I have a sequel in the planning stages for my series “The Collins Trilogy”, and I may even have an idea for a sequel/stand alone project for my first novel, “Crutches”.
# Tell us some quirky facts about yourself
I love Halloween. So much so that my wife and I got married on Halloween.
I was the first female at my high school to play the quints (five drums in one) in the marching band.
I am a distant relative of William Faulkner. He and my great grandmother were distant cousins.