An Interview with Lainey Kress

As I mentioned in my first blog post, the reason I was inspired to start documenting my journey to becoming a published author was watching videos on youtube by Lainey Kress (aka gingerreadslainey). She uploads videos every month of her writing life and the progress she has made. What I enjoy the most about them is how honest they are. She is confident enough to tell the world of her struggles and risks, which can be scary. But since she was able to do it, then I decided that I could as well.

This made me even more happy when I reached out to her and she agreed to be interviewed. I hope you enjoy:

Lainey Kress is a graduate from the University of Iowa BA in English Literature. She started her Youtube channel in August of 2013 where she discusses young adult, new adult, and mainstream fiction genres. 


What made you decide to write a book? Have you ever considered pursuing short stories or articles?

I've always been interested in writing since I was a teenager. I realized this was something I wanted to pursue while I was reading books and sometimes came up with different endings for the books I was reading. When it comes to short stories and articles, I'm not as interested in those forms of writing. I spent most of my college career writing short fiction for my creative writing classes, but since graduating my focus is entirely on writing novels.

Have you developed any strange habits that you do while writing?

I've recently started using a post-it note to cover the word count on my computer screen. This way, I'm not tempted to constantly look down at the word count and have where I'm at influence my writing in a discouraging way. It actually helps me out a lot not knowing how much I'm writing in a single session.

Do you get discouraged in the writing process?

I don't get discouraged from the writing process. Sometimes if I am feeling a block in the creativity part of my brain, I will go watch one of my favorite movies or go on Pinterest to recharge myself and get inspired again.

Why did you choose traditional publishing over self-publishing? 

Before I started querying with my first book, I've always known I wanted to go the traditional publishing route. I have nothing against self-published book as I have read many and have enjoyed quite a bit, but for my own aspirations, it's being able to work with a publishing team that can make my stories better and being excited about my work as much as I do and wanting their authors to succeed that allures me. Fingers crossed.

If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice before you began your current novel what would it be?

Definitely to not spend so long finishing my first draft and revising my second draft. I feel like I lost a lot of valuable time from when I finished my first draft in April of 2015 and finished second edits on the manuscript in February of 2016. I wasn't working on it everyday and I think that delayed me quite a bit. This time around, I want a much faster turnaround time in the editing process.

Now that you have completed one novel, do you think the second one will be easier to write?

I am currently working on one right now! Since it is the middle of NaNoWriMo, I have started a new project. It's another YA Fantasy, but I can already tell having that first experience of writing my first book, writing this one is pushing me farther with my creative bonds and I'm really enjoying these new cast of characters I have created, the world they live in, and the journey they are embarking on.