MY INTERVIEW WITH ALISHA KLAPHEKE

 

 

What’s your name and what genre would you consider your books to be?

ALISHA KLAPHEKE. I WRITE FANTASY, MOSTLY EPIC FANTASY.

 

Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that (story, angle, idea)?

I HAVE TWO SERIES ALREADY OUT AND ONE MORE THAT WILL RELEASE IN APRIL. MY UPCOMING SERIES, DRAGONS RISING, WAS INSPIRED BY A DREAM I HAD OF A YOUNG WOMAN RAISED BY DRAGONS. MOST OF MY BOOKS BEGIN WITH ONE OF MY CRAZY DREAMS.

 

 

How did you get interested in writing this particular genre (historical novels, mysteries, sci-fi, children’s books, etc.)?

I HAVE ALWAYS READ FANTASY SO THAT’S WHY I ENJOY WRITING IT. I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM FANTASY NOVELS. WHEN THE REAL WORLD IS FAR AWAY, I AM FREE TO EXAMINE DEEP ELEMENTS OF HUMAN EXISTENCE. PLUS, DRAGONS AND MAGIC AND HOT ELVES. 😉

 

What kind of research did you do for this book?

I STUDIED BASQUE COUNTRY, MEDIEVAL ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND SPAIN, AND HAVE VISITED MANY PLACES IN THOSE REGIONS. I ALSO LOOKED INTO BASQUE FOODS AND CULTURE.

 

Can you tell me about your Series?

THE SEAS ARE RISING. SOON, THERE WILL NO LAND FOR DRAGONS, ELVES, OR FOR VAHLY, THE LAST OF THE HUMAN KYND. IF VAHLY DOESN’T AWAKEN HER EARTH MAGIC SOON, EVERYONE SHE LOVES WILL DROWN UNDER THE SPELLED SALTWATER OF THE VICIOUS SEA QUEEN.

 

Do you have a favorite book out of this series?

NOT YET! 🙂 BOOK ONE, FATE OF DRAGONS, RELEASES APRIL 3, 2019.

 

Was it always meant to become a series?

YES. I HAVE SEVEN BOOKS PLANNED IN THIS WORLD SO FAR.

 

 

What’s a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?

I MOSTLY WRITE ON MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, AND FRIDAYS WHEN I DON’T TEACH MARTIAL ARTS (MY HUSBAND AND I RUN AN MMA SCHOOL WHERE WE TEACH THAI KICKBOXING, KRAV MAGA, AND BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU). I TRY TO TAKE WEEKENDS OFF, BUT I AM KIND OF A WORKAHOLIC. I WRITE AT COFFEE SHOPS, MY HOUSE, AND MY LOCAL LIBRARY.

 

What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?

IN TERMS OF WRITING, I’D SAY MAKING THE USA TODAY BESTSELLER LIST.

 

What’s the best thing about being an author?

GETTING EMAILS AND MESSAGES FROM READERS THAT LIVE ALL AROUND THE GLOBE! I LOVE IT SO MUCH!

 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

IN A CASTLE NEAR PRAGUE. WHY NOT AIM HIGH?

 

Have you always liked to write?

YEP. I WON MY FIRST WRITING CONTEST IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND HAVEN’T STOPPED SINCE.

 

 

 

What writing advice do you have for aspiring authors?

KEEP WRITING. LISTEN TO CRITIQUE. DON’T BE ARROGANT AND GET AN EDITOR. DON’T WRITE A MEMOIR. NO ONE WANTS TO READ THAT BUT YOUR MOM.

 

Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?

FIRE BY KRISTIN CASHORE, SABRIEL BY GARTH NIX, ASSASSIN’S APPRENTICE BY ROBIN HOBB, SIX OF CROWS BY LEIGH BARDUGO, AND SO SO SO MANY MORE

 

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I TRY TO DO BOTH. GIVE THEM SOME OF THE ELEMENTS THEY ENJOY, THEN TURN THE SETTING AND STORY ON ITS HEAD.

 

What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

I AM LUCKY ENOUGH TO KNOW A TON OF AMAZING AUTHORS AND WITHOUT THEM I’D GO BANANAS. THEY LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND. THEY BRAINSTORM WITH ME. THEY ARE THE CAT’S PJS.

 

Where can your fans find you and follow??

ON MY WEBSITE ALISHAKLAPHEKE.COM. MY CONTACT PAGE HAS ALL MY INFO AND THERE ARE TWO FREE BOOKS AVAILABLE ON THE SITE TOO.

 

 

Thank you for taking your time to do this interview ❤️

MY PLEASURE!