About Kai Leakes:
Take a journey.
Born in Iowa, but later relocating and raised in Alton, IL and St. Louis, MO, Kai Leakes was an imaginative Midwestern child, who gained an addiction to books at an early age. The art of imagination was the very start of Kai’s path of writing which led her to creating the ‘Sin Eaters: Devotion Books Series.’ Since a young child, her love for creating, vibrant romance and fantasy driven mystical tales, continues to be a major part of her very DNA. With the goal of sharing tales that entertain and add color to a gray literary world, Kai Leakes hopes to continue to reach out to those who love the same fantasy, paranormal, romantic, sci/fi, and soon, steampunk driven worlds that shaped her unique multi-faceted and diverse vision.
In her spare time, she likes to cook, dabble in photography, and find ways to jazz up her website with behind the books shorts. Loving to feed her book addiction, romance, fantasy and fiction novels are her world. Reading those particular genres help guide her as she finds the time to write and create new tales for her growing fan base.
“The Light Always Prevails.” – Kai Leakes.
What inspires you to write?
I’m big on movies, music, television and reading. These things are what generate my spark. I also speak to my best friends and sometimes muses about ideas that I am thinking about. Usually, once I start discussing a few of my ideas, the story just starts flowing and it forms together. Other times I may dream my story idea, such as I did with Sin Eaters book One. My experiences in life have also shaped my inspiration in writing. So it is an eclectic approach to how my creative spark comes. Since I was a child, I wished to read stories that reflected my lens and community scope. I happened to be a brown girl who loved fantasy and fiction, and I wished to see myself partaking in the adventures or romance journeys that the characters I read experienced. This shaped me greatly and continues to aid in my inspiration with writing.
Tell us about your writing process.
I have an eclectic approach. I’m an organic writer, meaning the characters present themselves to me in my mind. I do a simple character outline in Word on who they are, interests, skills, and craft my stories from there. I’ve never been a person who likes to outline. I hate the process because in the case of my stories it makes me lose the vibrancy of what I’m doing. Usually, I write, then reread. After that, it goes into editing. That’s about it. 🙂
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
LOL yes! My characters show themselves to me as if I’m watching a movie or sometimes I hear their monologs. It’s like watching my own show and I love it. This helps me craft their backstories and their world.
What advice would you give other writers?
Outside of reading and buying books that you love, I suggest that you also buy books in a genre that you hope to eventually write in. Immerse yourself in your craft. I mean that by sitting outside, go to your favorite cafe or bookstore, talk with your friends and family. Watch movies, and television. Immerse yourself. Writing can be beautiful and poetic if you have a dedication to your gift.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I decided that I wished to be a hybrid publisher because of how the publishing market is today. I wanted to reach readers that might not know I’m there, as well as share stories that traditional publishers possibly don’t believe in but the readers do. I think that it’s the best way to share one’s work evenly.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I’m really not sure. Right now it appears that physical books might be making a comeback since the over saturation of a specific ebook retailer. Publishing is so organic, it really is like an ever-changing creation that changes with every generation. I hope that it finds a healthy balance and that more indie authors can achieve the same success as popular traditional writers.
What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?: Romance, Fantasy, Scifi, Paranormal,Young Adult, New Adult, Thrillers, Horror, Fiction, Interracial Romance, Erotica
What formats are your books in?: eBook, Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Kai Leakes Home Page Link
Link To Kai Leakes Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit, to allow you, the reader, to hear the author in their own voice.
