My name is Kate. I’m a YA writer who also blogs about writing. I’ve always been a reader, which naturally morphed into being a writer. I can’t remember if I made a conscious choice to be an author, it’s just something I’ve always wanted to do, and another career path never occurred to me.

I was lucky enough to land a job as a beauty writer, so I spent nine years writing articles about hair and makeup for a virtual hairstyling website. After that job ended, I gave myself a few months to finish a YA series I’d been working on, and those few months turned into a few years (writing always takes longer than we expect!).

I launched my blog about writing, started querying, and even landed a contract with a small press. When that fell through, I decided to self-publish and released the first book from my YA series in February 2020, followed by the second in July 2020. Blackbirch was inspired by the books I grew up reading and shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where teens defend themselves and their friends against supernatural forces out of their control.

I’m not a planner when it comes to writing. I usually start with a spark of a scene, or a line of dialogue that has popped into my head. Walking really helps to bring out ideas. There’s nothing better than spending a day writing and then taking a walk where you can let the ideas continue to turn over in your mind as you get some fresh air. I’ve solved many a plot twist or come up with a better idea when out stretching my legs.

My favorite place to walk is out in nature, especially around trees or streams. It feeds my other creative habit, which is taking photos. I don’t use a fancy camera, just my phone, and have countless photos of every flower, tree, sunrise or sunset I come across on my regular walks.

I think finding creative habits is a great way to become a better writer and helps keep you in touch with the side of you that feeds your soul. Just as I couldn’t imagine a career as anything other than being an author, I can’t imagine my life without being someone who writes, even if one day the only person I write for is myself.