Karlie Hall is an aspiring writer who lives with her husband and nine cats, in a little town no one’s ever heard of. She writes mostly fantasy, but sometimes dabbles in contemporary fiction with a dose of the supernatural. Her hobbies include pizza, reading, and gardening – when she can get her head out of the clouds, that is.
1. How long have you been writing and what got you started?
I started writing when I was a preteen – I’ve always loved a good story, and it seemed natural to write my own. It’s grown into a deep passion and love of words.
2. What is the best piece of advice you have for new writers?
First of all, show up. Put your butt in the chair and write every day, and things will happen for you. Secondly, read everything. You can’t be a writer without being a reader first.
3. What is your favorite type of fiction and who are your favorite authors?
I love psychological thrillers, fantasy, and contemporary women’s fiction – while these are my favorites, I’ll usually read from any genre. Tana French, Susanna Kearsley, and Erin Morgenstern are some of my favorite authors.
4. What tips do you have for finding time to write?
You’ll make time for what’s important to you. No matter how busy your life gets, there’ll always be a little block of time to write. Make it happen.
5. Are you an outliner or discovery writer? Or somewhere in between?
I tend to be a discovery writer, but lately I’ve been stricter on myself about outlining. There’s definitely a happy medium between the two, and I’m working on finding it.
6. Do you participate in any online or in-person critique or writing
groups?
Yes – I wouldn’t trade my online group for anything. If you aren’t part of a group, I highly recommend you find one. Mine has been crucial for me!
7. What are your writing goals for the next twelve months?
I hope to finish the novel I’m working on now and maybe get a few more short stories and poems out there. I also have plans to start a blog, Invisible Ink.
8. What are your writing goals for the next five years?
I would definitely hope to publish a couple of novels in that time. I have a couple of old projects I’d like to see dusted off and finished, too – a fantasy novel claled
9. What book(s) are you reading right now?
I just recently finished The Girl Before by JP Delaney, and I’m starting on The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman.
10. Do you ever get criticism from family or friends who don’t understand your passion?
I do actually. A lot of people don’t understand the drive to be a successful author – they think I’m throwing my life away on a career that may or may not work out. It takes a lot of time, and they can get resentful of that. It’s hard for anyone who isn’t a writer to get it.
