Catherine's Book Cafe: Interview with Author K.A. Young

Interview with Author K.A. Young

PARANORMAL ROMANCE AUTHOR

Called as Mistress Kay by her beloved fans, Kass is a wonderful friend with an honest soul. Her stories would lead you through an action roller-coaster and has every element you could ever ask for. She is a writing machine with 15+ books under her belt and many upcoming. She’s well known for her sensual and gripping plot.

Aside her busy schedule with a full-time job and a writing, she’s also a lovely mother, who loves her boy to the moon and beyond and a fierce friend. I can’t wait to pick her brain today. How does she do it all? Let’s find out.

(Ooooh! And Mistress Kay had a surprise in store for me. This interview includes an excerpt from one of her best books. Read on)

About the Author:

I'm K. A. Young, also known as SerenityR0se on writing sites.

Through the online writing site, Wattpad, I've cultivated an audience. By my readers, I've torn down the barriers of individual supernatural genres and created one unique to my own writing style. My writing brings you into the story itself, able to picture it vividly as if it were a movie or T.V. series as many of my readers believe it should be.

A master of plot twists and the queen of cliffhangers, I create complex worlds of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural novels with erotica throughout.

I've been writing silently all my life up until about three years ago. Starting out small on free sites while using feedback and constructive criticism to help improve my writing, I'm now using that feedback to see just how far I can go. My dream is to be able to hold every book I write in my hands, never finding just the right story to read, so I write them instead.

My mind and thoughts are organized chaos, wanting to write and live so many lives. Stories of worlds beyond our recognition pull us away into fantasy and wonder. Is it selfish to want to live so many lives? Perhaps, but at least this way, I can write for everyone to enjoy and spiral down the same pathway I've chosen.

Find K. A. Young on Patreon | Amazon | Goodreads

Social Media: Twitter | Facebook |

1. When and how did your writing journey start?

Hey Cathy, thank you for the interview!

It started in 4^th/5^th grade and I picked up writing full stories when I was about sixteen to seventeen. I was born 1990 in British Columbia, Canada and moved to California in 1997 for my dad’s job. I was never strong in school when it came to reading and writing. In fact, I was held back in third grade, repeating course work that still made little to no sense to me. I learned how to memorize, skating by as much as I could…that is, until I met my match.

A teacher who taught fifth grade opened up a 4^th/5^th grade class, hoping that the older classmates would help the younger ones. It worked in some ways, but she always reminds me about how I told her that she’s not the boss of me. In her class, she wanted to provide a creative space, having us create stories that she would send in to be published through a kids company so we could take them home at the end of the year.

Seeing something I created come to life, it was what triggered something in me. My teacher recommended Sylvan Learning Center. I flourished there, learning how to improve my reading and writing. I went in with a third grade reading and writing level, leaving two years later and starting 8^th grade, I was reading and writing at a 12^th grade standards.

A lot happened to me in high school, much of which I don’t like talking about as the past still haunts the present in more ways than one…but I used writing to escape. I found my escape, and learned how much it could help others find their voices when they didn’t think the world cared to hear them, or they felt too scared to speak up.

2. Tell me about your work Walking Among The Vampires. The blurb seems promising and I’m sure it would be no short of surprises. How did you come up with the plot?

Walking Among Vampires is probably my most innocent and sweet book compared to the rest of my works. It doesn’t belong to any series, just a standalone that spins a take on Romeo and Juliet. The plot came from my other works and I slowly twisted in a way I wanted both a human to be curious about a vampire and also the vampire curious about a human as he’s never seen one alive.

3. You are a writing machine. I also know you hold a full time job. When do you write your books?

Haha, thanks! Yeah, people tend to think I have all the free time in the world because I produce so much so quickly, but you are right about having a full time job. I write when I have spare moments at work, using my lunch to pump out anywhere from 800-1200 words. When I come home, I spend time with my husband and son until around 8 PM and then I write and or edit anywhere from 2-4 hours…it’s a lot of hard work, but I enjoy what I do.

4. Blood Magic Series is one of the best Vampire series I’ve ever read. It’ll always be on the top of my list. Do you plan to publish Blood Magic Series in the future?

I enjoyed writing this series very much! From creating new species and involving blood as a weapon against vampires, to spanning across a few generations of family, it is something I treasure very much. I’ve begun publishing the series on Amazon where The Slave That I Am is available and book two, The Pureblood Vampire Huntress is available for pre-order with a set release date of March 15^th. The whole series will be available over the next few years.

5. How’s your writing process like? Do you plan each story before writing or you write as you go?

I usually have a skeletal plot with branching ideas, actions and reactions. Depending on when I get to a certain part of the book, I see which alternating paths I think will turn out better for the concept and move from there. I’m a gamer and play extensive Dungeons and Dragons, roleplaying at its finest. This helps me visualize better and also helps picturing movements along with plot flow.

6. Author Kay doesn’t bother to take a plunge to the dark side when it comes to writing. And does she rock the underworld? She does. When she writes, it just flows. Some tips for me please. A few words to authors who struggle to cross that invisible line and explore their writing.

The best tips I can leave are to write down dreams you can remember the moment you wake as sometimes the best stories come from when our subconscious has free reign. Changing up books when you feel you are cornered and exploring other plots that come to you should be acted on. Traveling to new places can spark creativity, but always remember, if you can’t focus on what you are presently working on, listen to your mind and work on what it wants to, not necessarily what you believe you should be working on.

Above all else, write to please yourself, because you can’t please everyone and what better person to appease then you?

7. We all know Kay is a proud mother. Tell us about your lovely boy? What does he loves to do the most?

My son is a miracle, as I wasn’t supposed to be able to have children. We named him Tobias, “Gift of God”, because that is what he truly is. He enjoys sitting with me when I write while he colors on the bed, or he’ll play Pokémon Go and catch for me. He’s almost four, but he looks like he’s six and each time someone sees him, they tell me he’s going to be a heartbreaker and I’m in trouble when he reaches his teen years.

We’ll see! I’m proud of who he is becoming as he’s such a sweet little boy and cares deeply about others. He’s quick to pick up on things kids his age shouldn’t and he’s extremely observant.

8. I know you as a writer, a friend and a mother. What’s your life like? How do you manage it all?

It is like my mind; controlled chaos. I don’t have firm structure of day to day life, but I make the most of what time I do have on my hands to disperse it between everyone in my life. It becomes hard sometimes, but I have to remind myself that I’m only human (damn being a vampire would be easier sometimes) and that I can’t do everything I need to.

9. Tell us about your lovely husband. When and how did you meet your better half? Was it love at first sight? And are any of your main characters inspired by him?

Jay is the most amazing man I’ve ever met. He found me in my darkest place, helping me through times I thought absolutely unbearable. We started dating the beginning of senior year in high school and have been together ever since. Together for ten years and married for four this year. It wasn’t love at first sight as I was skeptical, but he showed me love and trust I never knew, which formed into an unbreakable bond.

Yes! Many of my characters are inspired by people who have come in and out of my life, for better or worse, and Jay is no exception. Part of Lailoken (Loki) from Transgression, Cormac from Code of Conduct, and many others have inspirational parts.

10. Your life before and after becoming a writer:

Before: I was drowning in life.

After: I’ve become much more confident and have created lasting friendships through the words I write.

11. Your favorite part/dialogue/scene from one of your books:

Ah, there are many, but one that sticks out in my mind is when those who believed someone so weak managed to outsmart one of her tormentors. The entire book of Transgression is very close to hitting home for me and when a lot of readers berated me for creating such a weak character and stating what they would do in situations, my most repeated statement I would tell them is that I don’t make weak characters, I make real characters with stories of real world events and situations told through fictional eyes and that you truly don’t know what you would do until you are in the exact situation, not theorizing about it.

This is the scene from Transgression: (slap your reading glasses on)

"Sweet Acacia," Lars regards me, bringing me back to a time when I was fascinated with the way he could manipulate and use magic...just like how he placed a rune on my own. He wanted to control me...ever since the beginning, he has been controlling me...down to even playing with the ties of fate with my beloved.

I'm done being controlled.

I'm done playing the pawn.

Today...today I will make my first move as queen.

"Please...Lars..." I allow myself to fall into how I've always been, and it comes through easily with a facade over my heart when I beg, "...help us."

Lars arches a brow, his arms crossed in front of his chest as he asks, "When all hope fades, it is I who you seek?"

"You're strong and I know you want freedom and peace," I tell him, discerning the slightest tells in his features, "you want to live in harmony...for that to happen, Mercury...Ciarán, they will not allow for this peace to exist with power and control over you."

Lars nods and replies, "You have a point...however," his voice trails off as he eyes me before stating, "how is it you believe I can help...would I have not already offered my services to the council before it's begun to tear itself apart?"

Releasing a short breath, I state with complete affirmation, "You won't give without receiving anything in return...isn't that right?" There is a silence that sets between us for a few moments before I let the word roll off my tongue with ease and causing him to tense for a moment, "Incubus."

He chuckles and sighs, "You're well aware then of what it is I ask for in return?"

"I will bring down the veil," as I say this, I see the slight twitch of his lips, but they never curl into the smile I know he'd show, forsaking what his true intentions are and that I have indeed selected correctly. There's much knowledge that was transitioned to me through the book Nimue had allowed me to access to...my subconscious memories that I know are pushing harder from the corners of my mind, awaiting this glamour and seal to be removed...

...not only this, but I know how to outplay Lars.

Wait for the right moment and align the pieces he wishes to into place...

Make the right deal.

Lars tilts his chin upward slightly, knowing he's going to try and weave a deal that will be to his gain...but I won't play into his hands. He says, "Stop those who are coming for the throne, in exchange for the veil to be brought down?"

I take two steps toward him and reply, "No."

"No?" He repeats.

"I will bring down the veil..." my voice trails off as I catch the spark igniting in his eyes at my request, "...for the exchange of my freedom."

"Your freedom?" He asks this, regarding me with skepticism as that word alone entails everything that has taken control over me.

I stare into his eyes and reply, "Yes, my freedom in exchange for the veil to be brought down."

If I am what I am...

...I won't need the help of these trickster demons.

I just need my freedom.

The silence is deafening as time passes between the two of us, though a moment later, Lars breaks the silence by confirming, "Deal."

Lars quickly reaches a hand to his belt, bringing into view a dagger before he draws it across the palm of his hand. As he does this, he walks toward me, seeing the way his irises shift to an electric blue, the demonic form awaiting to release from its shell as it believes it can outmatch and outsmart me.

He won't...not this time.

Lars outstretches his hand while he holds the blade of the dagger. I take it from him, knowing the second I cut myself...

...Lailoken will know as he'll feel my pain.

This must be done quickly before he has a chance to stop me...because, for the first time in my life, I know what I'm doing.

I know who all the players are and the game...

...it's time to checkmate this demon.

I hold the handle of the dagger in my hand, opening my other as I drag the blade quickly across the palm. Wincing from the pain that comes from slicing open my palm, the dagger is taken from my hand by an unseen force, almost like at the place dad's parents once lived when they were alive. Lars holds my gaze as he extends his hand and I immediately take it without hesitation as now...

Ekáti!

It's the first time...yet how is it I feel his mind within my own? His thoughts coursing through mine?

I feel Lailoken's soul immediately connect to mine, trying to suppress the fear he feels for me as I know he's already left, Castle Valentine.

...the clock is ticking.

The second our blood intertwines, I feel an extension of the oath and deal we have made. As he believes there is a way around what we've promised to, he didn't make a smart choice in raping me...after all this time, I've come to terms with the fact he made me believe it was something of my consent. None of it was and he made the mistake, believing he could get me pregnant...

Our hands fall away from one another as he orders, "Bring down the veil."

Without any hesitation, as part of me is now bound by blood...my eyelids flicker shut for a moment, feeling the wisps encircle around my arms and down around my hands. When I open my eyelids and focus all the strength and directive on the crackling spiderwebs that reinforce the veil...black wisps rise up and around me, almost like a hurricane. It's devastatingly terrifying at first, but that darkness strikes at the center of my chest without a second to spare, watching as the veil becomes nothing...

I'm breathing hard, gasping almost as I come to regain consciousness of my movements. My hands grasp the grass in front of me, black wisps with purple flecks encircle my hands and up my arms, encasing my entire being in a flurry.

Another vision comes to pass...

...but, I don't feel hopeless like I had seen.

Empowerment.

Ekáti! I feel you...

I see boots before me, just out of my vision. Slowly, I lift my chin and my gaze before I see Lars. His amethyst eyes bore into me, his voice slipping easily, "When all hope fades, you made the right choice."

I've not lost hope...

...I'll never lose it so long as there is something worth fighting for. Right now, everyone is worth fighting for and I won't let anyone destroy what was created.

I won't let mom's death be in vain...for dad's sake.

Lars raises his hand, the pads of his middle finger and thumb coming together as he states, "Freedom."

It's like the sound of an electrical transformer is blown as a dark light emits all around me. Everything slips back into place, flooding me as the innate strength within me finally takes hold as if it's been there all along...

...but it's not the strength of magic alone.

A shockwave radiates from my body and knocks Lars across the lake and into the tree. Rising to my feet, I stare long and hard at him before I feel the energy pulsate from my hands. They extend outward and as I breathe out, the spiderwebs reform, weaving new ties of threads as whatever does cross over...they will be found by Lailoken and sent back across the veil...but it is only down for a minute at most before the restoration is returned.

Lars' eyes are wide open, though they are an electric blue as his form suddenly shifts in his rage. Demonic wings protrude from the center of his shoulder blades, a thick tail ending in a spade whips back and forth in anger. He snarls as he glides back over the lake, coming to stand a few feet away from me. His two sets of upper fangs are bared while a lower one can be seen as well, watching as his anger escalates while he snarls, "We had a deal."

"We did," I reply simply, "you asked for me to bring the veil down..." my voice trails off as I glance away for a moment, feeling a new strength from within as I reply, "...you never specified for how long and I'm going to take a wild guess...your strength no longer matches my own and you can do nothing to put back in place what you took away."

Lars' eyes are livid as he's been outplayed and a second later, I tilt my head to the side and call loudly, "Vexialarie!"

Lars' eyes are wide when a very large kitsune stands alongside me, her energy causing ripples of shockwaves to exude from her. Off on the other side of the lowered lake, I catch Lailoken...Taron, Rian...they're standing with confusion. Even when Taron tries to move forward, Lailoken holds him back as I feel the connect slip clearly through my mind.

Ekáti.

It's a dark growl that leaves Vexy's lips as I tell her, "Is this not the one that set a mark out for your imprisonment?" I nod at Lars and I see the evil glint in her eyes, the fox taking steps toward him...

"Acacia Arin...Ekáti, I believe we have come to an understanding," Vexy cackles maniacally.

As she lunges at Lars, there's no escape for him as his magic wasn't enough to catch her...he relied on others in the council for her imprisonment. Every move he made...he wanted her out of the picture, so she couldn't bring him down and interfere with his game...

A horrifying shriek leaves his lips as the kitsune snaps her jaws on his face and a second later, they're both gone...

...she's used her ability of transportation and I surely wish with all my heart that she doesn't spare Lars a quick death...and plays with her food.

My gaze falls now on my mates, all of them staring at me...for many different reasons. Taron's mouth is agape as he stutters, "H-Ho-w?"

Even Rian appears slightly afraid, "Her eyes..."

What?

When I go running forward...

...I move much quicker than I ever have before. I hardly realize that I don't allow for the spiderwebs to aide me and I fall over the edge and down into the lake below. Moments flash of how I'd have been injured if my brother hadn't saved me those years ago from falling off the tree when I tried to save him.

I stand, the impact not affecting me in the slightest.

"Loki...she's-she's a...a-" Taron is continuing to be baffled and even I am confused...that confusion clears up, but new questions fill my thoughts the second I glance down at my reflection on the surface of the water...

...where I find reddish-orange irises staring back at me...my own.

12. What authors do you like to read? What book or books have had a strong influence on you or your writing?

Unfortunately, I don’t get to read as much as I would like to, but a lot of my writing is inspired by comics turned into movies such as Underworld.

13. [Yay! That’s my favorite too.] I’ve been a proud stalker of yours for a while now. There were certain situations that’d test the patience of an author. I always admired and looked up to you on how you never shied away from a trouble and how you never hesitated to put your foot down and face it when needed. A few wise words for your fellow authors on the same please.

I’ve had my voice silenced many times by influences in the past and I learned that in order to make a difference, you have to not be afraid to take the brunt and opinion of others. Not jeopardizing who I am and compromising what I want to achieve and accomplish is always at the forefront of my mind. Being honest when the odds are against you and standing up for what is right regardless of how others will perceive your actions is something that has become more natural for me.

I won’t be silenced any longer after being forced into silence for so long.

RAPID FIRE:

1. What is the one thing I wouldn’t compromise with?

My erotica part of my writing. A lot of publishers want family friendly or teen angst books without all the detail…why? The devil is in the details and I won’t compromise the story I want to write just to have a better chance at being recognized for not telling a story in its entirety.

2. When I’m not writing or working, I’d like to –

Game!

3. Favorite childhood movie:

Willow.

4. This is our family thing:

Movie nights.

5. Pet peeves:

People who talk a big game and judge before understanding.

6. What is a perfect vacation according to me?

Spending time with the relatives left behind in Canada.

7. A walk on the beach or a night curled in a couch binge reading or binge watching movies?

A walk on the beach, because you never know what will inspire you.