Get to know Kendare…

Kendare Blake is an import from South Korea who was raised in the United States by caucasian parents. You know, that old chestnut. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Ithaca College and a Master’s degree in Writing from Middlesex University in London. She brakes for animals, the largest of which was a deer, which sadly didn’t make it, and the smallest of which was a mouse, which did, but it took forever. Amongst her likes are Greek Mythology, rare red meat and veganism. She also enjoys girls who can think with the boys like Ayn Rand, and boys who scare the morality into people, like Bret Easton Ellis. For more info, visit her website.

Let the conversation begin!

Would you rather publish a string of mainstream books or one classic?

What Classic are we talking? Did I write To Kill A Mockingbird? Or Catcher in theRye? Because I’d be okay with that. After you wrote one of those books, you’d be chasing your own tail. Couldn’t top it. Might as well adopt a goat and join a Sherpa group in the Himalayas.

Do you begin with character or plot?

Usually character. I like to learn who a person is before they drag me about on random adventures.

Tell us about the book you’re working on.

Well, at the moment I’m doing final page proofs for GIRL OF NIGHTMARES, the end of the ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD series. But a few days ago, I finished the first round of edits for ANTIGODDESS, which is about Greek gods in present day. They’re each dying horrible deaths. It’s sort of Greek meets dystopia. Meets love story. It comes out in 2013.

What is your favorite quote? And why?

Happiness is the longing for repetition- Milan Kundera. Because it’s true.

What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

Push yourself. Learn and grow as a writer. Change your style. Write ambitiously. We should always be evolving, always adding new tools to the kit, new tricks to the bag. Do you ever have that idea, that novel you want to write, but in your gut you know you’re not ready to write it? Not quite there yet? That feeling, and those ideas, should never go away. Otherwise what’s the point?

What one word describes you? Why?

Jackass. No, I’m kidding. I have no idea.

What book was the easiest to write? Hardest?

Whatever book I’m working on at the time seems the hardest. It’s like being at school, when your classes get harder and harder, and you think how bad it sucks, until the next semester, when you look back and wish for those past classes.

In grade school, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to train Thoroughbred race horses. I had this idea that it would be cool to win big races with fillies. Which are young girl horses. Boys get all the attention.

Easier to write before or after you were published?

So far, it hasn’t made a difference. Sometimes having real deadlines helps keep me from a naturally procrastinative state. Only I usually end up setting my own deadlines anyway, so I guess not.

What is your secret talent?

I’m pretty good at Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.