I've copied and pasted the transcript from some of my favorite questions. Just so you are aware, there are **SPOILERS** ahead.
Hi Kristin. I’m a huge fan of your work. I’m currently about
halfway through The Nation. I’m having a hard time putting it down. My
question: how much of yourself did you put into Brynn? I know many authors see
themselves as the female lead in their books. K******
Hi K******. Thank you! I’m so glad you are enjoying the
series. To answer your question … When I wrote The Trait (years ago), I did put
quite a bit of myself into Brynn. During my writing process, that happens a
lot for me. But since then, I’ve written 4 more series. Now, I see more of my teenage
daughter in Brynn. Thank you again for being a fan and for joining today.
Kristin
Along the same lines as Kaitlyn’s question, your books have
a lot of medical terminology and references. Do you have a background in
healthcare? S**
Hi S**. Yes, I do. I worked in the business/office side of
healthcare for over 10 years. I wanted to go into patient care (nursing or preMed)
when I started college, but I quickly learned that I don’t like blood or pain or tears.
Thanks for joining today! Kristin
Kristin, I’m C********. I love the Trait books! I especially
love how both Brynn and Creed have changed over the course of the series. In
the first book, I admit I didn’t care for Brynn’s behavior at times. How did
you plan that transformation out from book 1 through book 4?
Hi C********. Thank you for joining today. I’m thrilled that
you are enjoying the series. To answer your question … As I think back on it,
the transformation with Brynn came quite naturally. As the story intensified
and progressed, she matured, per say. At the beginning of the story, when she
was dealing with the bad decision she had made with Chandler, she was reclusive.
She was quiet, and she built a strong wall around her heart. This behavior limited
her ability to grow and learn from life experience. By the time she lets herself
accept her relationship with Creed, she had experienced a lot. That life
experience, and all the experiences she had with Creed, helped them both mature
and grow up, similarly to how it happens for most of us. It was a wild ride
with Brynn, wasn’t it? She kept things moving and shaking, once she found her
voice and let the wall around her heart crumble. Again, thank you for joining
today and keep reading! Kristin
I feel really bad for Chandler. Please tell me you have good
things in store for him. G***
Hi G***. I won’t spoil the story for you but to answer your
question … yes! Good things happen for Chandler because all-in-all, he’s a
really great guy. He’s just persistent and comes off as pest, at first. Thank
you for joining today. Kristin
Hi Kristin. I’m also a fan of your writings. I’ve fallen in
love with Creed. He’s witty. In chapter 6, he makes a comment that is my
favorite. “Vampires are stupid.” I can’t help but to ask, is this a dig at
those popular “vampire” books? LOL V*****
Hi V****. I’m laughing right now, too. To answer your
question … a little bit. Blush. When I wrote the series, those popular vampire
books were all the rage. Admittedly, I haven’t read them but I made my cute
husband by me the movies on DVD for Christmas last year. So, let’s call it a
subliminal “nod of acknowledgement” to Edward on Creed’s behalf, yes? After all, that
story-line is truly amazing. Thanks for joining today and for the laugh!
Kristin
Hi Kristin. I’m B*****. I found your cancer blog through
your book blog and I've read it and follow it. Kudos for keeping a smile on your face through
treatment. I noticed when reading The Trait that Brynn’s grandma passed away
from cancer. How were you able to write such a storyline having cancer
yourself, and did you find it hard to do? Sincerely, B*****.
Hi B*****. Thank you for joining today and for your
meaningful thoughts. To answer your question … When I wrote The Trait series, I
didn’t have cancer. I was diagnosed late in 2013, and had published all four
Trait novels beforehand. Admittedly, I read the parts of the books that mention
cancer and I feel okay about them. I
have a thousand times the knowledge about cancer now verses the time I wrote
about it, and I do wonder now if it would've been advantageous to have chosen a
different terminal illness to give June instead of the cancer. Regardless, it
is what it is, and I’m proud of Brynn for caring for her grandmother the way
she did. Brynn’s examples of strength, loyalty, and
personal sacrifice are traits I aspire to have. Again, thank you for your thoughtful
words. Kristin
Hi Kristin. I know you have written lots of books. Do you
ever cross reference The Trait in other novels or vice versa? T*******
Hi T******. Thank you for joining today. To answer your
question … admittedly, I do. It’s a fun little “game” I regularly play, and I
know I’m not the only writer to engage in such fun. One particular
cross-reference I can think of off the top of my head … in the Keepers, the
protagonist is talking about the movie she had just seen with her cousin. And I
quote:
“I like the part when the guy pee’d on the carpet and it set
the fire alarm off. Classic,” Dane stated with a boyish grin.
“You would like the gross part,” Meagan teased. She and Dane,
cousins turned friends, discussed their next adventure together as they slowly
strolled down the street.
End quote. So as you can see, I like to subliminally mess
around. It’s one of the many joys I find in writing. Thanks again for joining
today and for the question. Keep reading! Kristin
Today is one of those days that make me truly LOVE what I do.
Kristin
