Interview with Katharine E. Wibell
Hey, y'all! I took a break last week but I'm back with a new author interview! Today, we're sitting down with Katharine E. Wibell. Honestly, the longer I spoke with her, the more she blew me away. Most authors I know research by googling or watching videos but Katharine? Katharine actually goes out and gets the real life experience. She learned archery and axe throwing so that she could create characters who had a lot of weaponry experience. I've never met someone with such determination. I can tell that it's much more than research to Katharine. She genuinely has the drive and ambition to give readers the most realistic yet interesting characters she can. Every author has their own way of producing that, of course. Though, I wish my way was as cool as Katharine. She inspired me to go axe throwing and um, I just have to say that it is not easy at all! It was a bit of mess actually. Peeling back another layer, I learned that animals are absolutely important to Katharine. As she previously worked in wildlife rehabilitation, she uses that passion in her books as well. So if you're looking for books with badass characters and animals, check out Katharine E. Wibell's work! Trust me, you won't be disappointed!
What inspired you to become a writer?
I have always created stories, characters, worlds and backstories for as long as I can remember. Many of those sprang from my childhood play with my sister. I loved the multiverse we developed and realized that I wanted to share that with others in the future. Even though I did not begin writing books until much later, I knew at a very young age that I would write.
What is the best life advice you’ve ever heard?
I’m not sure about life advice, but I do have some advice for aspiring writers: It is NEVER too early to start building your platform. This includes, but is not limited to, your newsletter and social media presence. You can start promoting your dream to become an author well before you publish your book. Then when you do, you already have readers waiting for your novel.
What or who has influenced your writing career?
My mom. She homeschooled my sister and me for most of our lives and always encouraged our strange and eclectic interests. If it wasn’t for her, I do not know if I would have published any books. Honestly, I would not be sure what I would be doing if not for her assistance and support throughout my life.
What are most grateful for?
Having the opportunity to share with others my love of fantasy, mythology, animals, and art. (When I am not working on my writing career, I am also a reverse glass painter.)
What is your quirkiest writing habit?
I don’t know if it is interesting, but I have to write in complete silence. I also have the wall in front of my desk covered in diagrams and sticky notes to help me keep track of my storylines as they progressively get more complicated.
What are some of your hobbies?
I have a wide range of hobbies and interests that include outdoors activities like hiking, skating, and kayaking to fitness, working with animals, enjoying movies, painting, exploring galleries and museums, brewing mead, axe throwing and maybe even eventually returning to some former passions like archery or wildlife rehabilitation.
Out of all your books, do you have a favorite character?
This question is like asking someone to pick their favorite child. I can’t. But I will say that Katie of Earth from The Djed Chronicles has a special place in my heart since she was inspired by the alter ego I created through my make-believe play with my sister as a child.
What is a dream of yours that has yet to be realized?
I would love to know that I could support my entire family on my writing and art. Every day, I work to turn that dream into a reality.
If you could choose any writing mentor, who would you choose?
J.R.R. Tolkien since he was heavily influenced by world mythologies especially Norse. I think it would have been really neat to talk with him and his fellow Inklings about writing, fantasy, and world myths.
What impact do you hope to leave on the world?
I would love to influence the future of fantasy as J.K. Rowling did with Harry Potter. There are college courses about her books, theme parks, movies and so much more! That would be another dream—to be as recognizable as her because of my work.
How do you beat writers block?
I am grateful that I have yet to deal with it. My main problem is that I have too many stories flooding my brain all at once and not enough time to get them on paper. I do set a daily page count that I aim to reach. This might also help me prevent writer’s block.
Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?
I cannot say it enough: It is NEVER too early to start building your platform and attracting followers and subscribers! Start now! Outside of that, do not be afraid to ask for advice, help, or any other questions you might have. In my experience, the writing community is extremely willing to help a fellow writer.
Short author bio:
Katharine Wibell’s lifelong interest in mythology includes epic poetry like the Odyssey, Ramayana, Beowulf, and the Nibelungenlied. In addition, she is interested in all things animal whether training dogs, apprenticing at a children’s zoo, or caring for injured animals as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. After receiving degrees from Mercer University in both art and psychology with an emphasis in animal behavior, Wibell now lives in Roswell, Georgia with her dog, Alli, and is a fulltime author and artist. Many of her literary works blend her knowledge of the animal world with the world of high fantasy.
Book Blurb of The Twelve Tasks:
Twelve worlds. Two opposing forces. One prophesied Hero.
The precarious balance between two opposing forces has begun to shift and threatens the very existence of life throughout the universe. Only the Djed—the prophesied savior—has a chance of thwarting a catastrophe that could destroy the cosmos. And the next Djed is predicted to be a child of Earth.
Katie awakens on a world far from her own, a world bound in magic, one of twelve that hosts entities of vast power and might. She is suspected to be that savior. However, to be acclaimed Djed, difficult and dangerous tasks, one on each of the magicked worlds, must be completed. Katie and a menagerie of misfit companions—a precocious witch, a half-blood elf, and a humanoid pup—work together to discover her fate. If proven true, a terrible burden will be placed upon her, one that will link her destiny with war, a war led by a thirteen-year-old girl.
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The Djed Chronicles follows Katie over her teenage years as she confronts dark forces and discovers that the right choices are not always apparent and wrong choices can have deadly consequences. 2nd Place Winner of the 2021 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards for Young Adult Fantasy/Sci-Fi
