Author Interview with K.J. Altair

What inspired you to start writing?

I always loved stories and storytelling. My mom used to read to my siblings and me every night when we were little, and if it was my father’s turn, he would make up stories using whatever characters or plot points we gave him as reference. I drew or wrote my own stories early on and made my first attempt at writing a novel when I was 15 (it was a YA fantasy romance — and I still have the file).

As life moved on, I finished school, went to medical school, got married, and had kids. I told them stories and read to them just like my parents did. But I only got back into writing when I stayed home while pregnant with my third child during the pandemic. And the more I started writing, the more the ideas started flowing again.

Do you draw from personal experiences in your writing? 

Yes, I do. Not necessarily specific events or people, but I would definitely say that personal experiences shape my writing. There’s my medical background, which flows into Tate, the healing—and also the injuries—of my characters. Like the relocation process of Ara’s shoulder in book one. It’s the same process I used many times in real life. (Somehow, dislocations always ended up with me. My colleagues used to joke about that.)

The grief aspect is also very real, and I do believe—like Jared’s mom says—that if it’s someone’s time to go, then it’s their time, and there’s nothing we could have done to change that. I also believe that the best way to honor someone we lost is to live the best life we can.

What themes or messages do you hope readers take away from your books?

Oh, many things. For one, that there is always hope, and that you can achieve the unthinkable if you refuse to give up. That there are always different narratives, and that just because we believe something doesn’t mean it’s the truth. That hardships have a big part in shaping us, and that some decisions have no obvious right or wrong and it can differ, depending on the viewpoint. And, of course, that love and loyalty are stronger than anything else.

What have you learned about yourself through writing?

I have recognized parts of myself in many of my characters — it’s truly eye-opening. Writing also forces you to battle your self-doubt and imposter syndrome, while pushing you to master so many new things at the same time.

I’ve pushed myself to my limits in many ways throughout my life, but there’s something about sharing your art with the world that forces you to be vulnerable in a way nothing else does, and that can be scary.

How would you describe your writing style?

Chaotic. I’m a pantser, or discovery writer, which means I go into my books with only a basic idea of where the story might go, and my characters often like to derail even those vague plans. I also don’t write chronologically, but instead write or dictate scenes in whatever order they come to me, so my first draft is always a complete mess.

What does your writing process look like?

I mostly start out by dictating the scenes that come to me. I can’t sit still while dictating, so I walk — either wearing grooves into my floor when it’s cold or rainy, or taking a walk outside if the weather is nice. I use speech-to-text, copy everything into Scrivener, and then do a basic edit (correcting words and sentences the software got wrong, etc.). Sometimes, while I’m doing that, more ideas come to me and the scene grows.

Since I’m an underwriter my first draft is always just the bare bones—mostly action and dialogue with little description. The first full editing round is always brutal because it means sorting out my mess, finding the storyline, getting the scenes into an order that makes sense, and delete those that don’t fit anymore.

After that, the manuscript grows with every edit as I add descriptions, flesh out emotions and thoughts, and weave in hints at things that come later on.

What part of writing do you find most challenging and how do you overcome those challenges?

The first edit. There’s always a point where it feels hopeless, and honestly, the only thing that works is pushing through it, scowling at my manuscript, and cursing my characters. Once that part is over, it gets much better!

How do you approach writing characters with experiences different from your own?

I like to put myself in their situation and take their background into consideration to understand how they would react and why. I used to do some acting when I was younger, and I guess you could say my process is a bit like method acting. 

It also helps that, during my time in the ER, I met a lot of people in extreme situations. It can be baffling what that brings out in people—both positive and negative.

Can you give us a brief summary of your book/series?

The Flameborn series is the story of a “cursed” young woman who decides to take her fate into her own hands instead of relying on the protection of her family—and finds love along the way. She joins a military academy disguised as a boy to bond with a magical bird and gain magic. Only she is neither a quiet girl nor someone who overthinks her actions or words, so she very quickly draws the attention of her broody, scarred centurion, who has plenty of secrets of his own.

It’s a story of duty vs. love, hard decisions, loyalty, sacrifice, and the burning tension between two people who know they should stay away from one another… but fall anyway.

Where did the inspiration for your series come from?

I didn’t go into writing Feathers with any specific inspiration in mind, and my characters like to derail my plans anyway. But looking back, I’d say it’s an amalgamation of different influences. I grew up on fantasy novels like The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Song of the Lioness, but also movies like The Wonderful Adventures of Nils (about a boy who is shrunk and able to talk to animals after mistreating them, before ending up traveling with wild geese), Mulan, She’s the Man, and Gladiator.

The scenes where the eagles rescue Gandalf, Frodo, and Sam in the LOTR movies are some of my favorites. And as a child, I always wanted a pet hawk (which I sadly never got) and was fascinated by how smart ravens are, and by history, which in Europe is heavily influenced by the Roman Empire.

So when Ara marched onto my page (as a side character in another story) that’s when it all started.

Which character was the most difficult to write?

Isk, because he doesn’t like to share his reasoning, and I always have to dig a little before he gives me anything. Also, because he is, in a way, linked to another book, and some of the background and “rules” have to make sense for both stories. That makes it a little more complicated.

Did any characters surprise you or evolve in unexpected ways?

Honestly, they always surprise me. Like Lorcan, when I found out certain things about his past. I didn’t plan that — he did.

Slow-burn or instant chemistry?

Both? Instant chemistry but they are fighting it, or there is a reason why they can’t be together—I love the yearning!

Happily ever after or bittersweet ending?

Gosh I love them both, but HEA wins.

Enemies-to-lovers or friends-to-lovers?

Again love them both. I especially love friends to enemies to lovers, but if I have to choose… enemies to lovers.

Describe your book in 3 tropes.

Forbidden love. Slow burn. Secret identity.

What are you currently working on and what should readers keep an eye out for?

I’m currently working on a lot (I always write down ideas as they come — chaos, remember?).

But my main focus is writing Flameborn #4, and I’m also editing another book. It has an enemies to lovers storyline and the FMC always ends up in the same magical world as soon as she falls asleep… and then there’s this gorgeous, if annoying guy she’s seen on campus, and he knows more about her dreams than he should.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

My advice would be: don’t compare your first draft to a finished novel. 

I always like to say it’s like roadkill — you know what it’s supposed to be, but it ain’t pretty. And a first draft isn’t supposed to be. Polishing comes later; first you just need to get it all out. 

And also, there’s no wrong way to write a book. Whatever works for you… do that.