Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Outside of writing, I’m an avid gamer and uber anime fan. I’ve also been a visual artist since I can remember. Storys have always captivated me, so I guess that’s why I feel so drawn to them.
When I was a kid, every paper, worksheet, or sketchpad would always be covered in numerous drawings and short stories that I’d write when I was bored. To be honest, I started out writing fanfiction from other stories and decided to start writing my own ideas one day.
After I realized my love of writing, I obtained my bachelor’s degree in English in 2015 with a focus on Creative Writing. In 2016, one of my short stories, Night Mother, won the Fiction Short Story category from the On My Own Time Awards with the DFW Business Council of Arts. Then in 2017, my manuscript placed as a Finalist in the SFF category of the Writers’ League of Texas Manuscript contest. My debut novel, Theme Song Panic, was published in October of 2018 as an eBook with the print version available January of 2109. The debut novel, Theme Song Panic, is a Young Adult Urban Fantasy novel with an LGBTQ+ romance subgenre.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Theme Song Panic-
There are a few reasons why I wrote this novel.
I first got the idea while riding in the car with my husband one day and happened to have one of the many random thoughts that I have that started with, “Hey, do you know what would suck?” Which evolved into my music curse idea.
The characters for Dax and Teddy came to light not long afterward, however, Dax’s character changed a bit to help me through some difficult struggles in my life. Some of his mental struggles are not far from my own and I used my writing to ease myself from some painful situations.
I’ve also always been a big believer in falling in love with the person, not the gender, so it actually took a few revisions for me to realize who Dax was supposed to end up with by the end of the book. I hadn’t planned on it, but that’s kind of my writing style where the book writes itself and I’m just along for the ride.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Usually, I write late at night. It’s the most quiet and no one minds if I jam out with headphones on and ignore the world then. As far as writing the story, I’m mostly a pantser. I usually start with knowing the characters and how the novel begins, then where it ends. I write not knowing how I’m getting from point A to point B and I love it, even if it makes me cry along the way.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are quite a few authors who have inspired me over the years. One of my first favorite authors I had read in middle school, Amelia Atwater-Rhodes wrote a novel called “In the Forests of the Night” and I read it all in one evening. I was extremely tired the next day, but I loved every minute of the book. I used to carry it in my backpack to school and read it over and over again in my downtime. One of the most amazing things about the author to me at the time was that she was so talented and not much older than myself at the time. I really thought then, that if I loved something that much like writing or art, then maybe I too could be as inspiring as she had been for me.
What are you working on now?
I just finished the first draft of a work in progress manuscript. It’s another YA UF novel that focuses on the dynamics between two superheroes both personally and professionally. This book as a heavier romance subgenre than the last because I wanted to balance the fighting with more fun times.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use Twitter a majority of the time to promote or engage in the writing community. I have found many friends on there who are also writers and understand the daily struggles it entails.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. Even if it’s tough and even if you’re scared or if someone says to stop, don’t! Because this is what you love to do and at the end of the day, the only person’s happiness you are responsible for is yourself.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I know a lot of writers say it, but it really is good advice: write for yourself, no one else.
What are you reading now?
Brandon Sanderson is one of my favorite authors, so I have recently started his Way of Kings book (and yes, it’s as amazing as everyone is saying, lol).
What’s next for you as a writer?
Just keep writing for the most part. I am going down the self-publishing journey for now, but I wouldn’t mind finding an agent or publishing house to work with someday. So, to say the least, there are many different directions I need to go depending on which hat I’m wearing that day (writer, marketing, editing, etc.).
What is your favorite book of all time?
It’s really, really hard to narrow it down to not only one author, but one book. If I had to pick, I’d say Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn: The Final Empire (Book One). I can relate so much to Vin, it’s scary sometimes. I really enjoyed reading her interactions with the crew and her bonding moments with her kind of adoptive father Kelsier. I also love the witty banter between her and Elend. They are my favorite fiction pair.
Author Websites and Profiles
C.K. Larsen Website
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