Author Interview with Carlie Gernhart

Carlie Gernhart has agreed to do an interview with me! She is the author of the amazing book, Fable Weaver. You can read my review for it HERE.

1. When did you first start writing?

I first started writing a couple years ago, when I was about 14. I made a 400 page mess of horrible writing that had a repetitive plot that went nowhere. At 16 I started writing seriously when I was in the pilot class of OYAN, and I'm so glad I took it. My writing improved drastically and that 400 page mess got revised into a book called Kytt's Tale. Here I am at 19 and totally loving being a writer.

2. Where did you get the idea for your novel? I mean, seriously, it's AMAZING!

Thanks! I got the idea from hearing other people talk about their characters, and from experiences with my own. So, Tierra Fabula was born. Fable Weavers and Changelings evolved from that. I also like the "Fractured Fairy Tales" method of taking a old story, then turning it on its head in a funny or unexpected way.

3. Are you working on anything right now?

Yeah, I'm always working on something or other. Right now I've got a prequel going for a book I already wrote called "Elementia" (though I'd like to find another title for it someday...). Really enjoying working on that, because some of my favorite characters to write are in it. I've also got several books I'm juggling in the back of my mind, working on them when I have time.

4. What do you like to do when when you're not writing?

Video games, mostly. I've been gaming since I could hold a Super Nintendo Controller. Right now I'm really into playing Minecraft, though I'm also playing through Final Fantasy VII (got stuck at a particularly hard battle). Some of my favorite games are Shadow of the Colossus (amazing story), Portal 1 and 2 (amazing writing), Pokemon games, The Legend of Zelda series and way too many others to list here. I also like drawing, which is something I've been doing for about nine years. I like it because it lets me show people how my characters look to me.

5. So, your novel was written with the One Year Adventure Novel program? Would you recommend it? I personally found the program to be a big help in my own writing.

Yes, it was. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who wants to write. The difference between the way I used to write and how I write now is amazing. I take the time to structure my stories, develop characters and make sure the plot works before I write it. I'm so, SO glad I found OYAN. Might sound a bit dramatic, but I really do think it's changed my life for the better.

6. What are some of your favorite books? Authors?

Oh boy, let's see... Recent books I've read and loved have been the Maze Runner series (James Dashner) and the Hunger Games trilogy (Suzanne Collins). I also really enjoy the Bartimaeus series, written by Jonathan Stroud. Some of my favorite authors are Terry Pratchett (who can write some amazingly funny books) and J.K. Rowling (who also wrote one of my all-time favorite series).

7. Off the topic of writing, what is your favorite fast food restaurant?

Can't beat a Triple Stacker combo from Burger King. Yay bacon!

8. Who or what most inspired your writing?

My parents really helped me stay motivated, and my sister is excellent at brainstorming and bouncing ideas around. J.K. Rowling was probably the one that most inspired me to start telling stories. I also wanted to get my stories into the world so my characters would stop bugging me about it. :)

9. Is your life any different now that you're an author?

Incredibly different. It's crazy how random some sources of inspiration can be (Elementia was spawned from a single gesture in a Pixar movie... still got no explanation for that one). Also, whenever I'm bored, I'll often start a mental conversation with my characters (it helps me develop them, and also helps pass time). It's amazing to me when someone asks me "Hey, how's *insert character name here* doing" or something along those lines.

10. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I'd love to see Ireland. :)

11. What did you want to be when you were little? Was writing always a part of it?

For a long time I wanted to be a zookeeper. Then I wanted to be a video game tester. Now I think I'll be a Character Designer/Animator/Story Writer for video games who is a masked vigilante by night. :)

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Thanks for doing this, Carlie! :)