Lobster Books is linking me up with a few authors to do some cross-pollination. Continuing the series, here is an interview with Kell Inkston. In his own words, when you pick up one of Kell’s books— “be prepared for strange and mystical tales of whimsy and ultraviolence. Magical ponies and stupendous manslaughter go hand-in-hand…”
Please tell us a bit about yourself! What made you become an author and how did your life change after you published your first novel.
Heya! Name’s Kell, and I love birds, cooking, and growing things that either attract birds or are cookable.
I “work” for “the government” as an “analyst” but my true passion is writing cool novels in awesome universes. I started out at a pretty young age when I drew comics, which eventually turned into shorts, which eventually turned into novels.
I write because I enjoy it, and that’s probably the only thing in my life that hasn’t changed since I’ve started.
What is your prime reason for writing?
To improve the world, first and foremost. I feel like I’m in a weird niche motivation-wise, because I consider my stuff high concept, though it appears like regular fiction from novel to novel. My various series are interconnected and are leading up to a coherent whole (sort of like The Avengers) and that’s where I’ll get the big payoff.
What is your favorite Sci-Fi book series?
Asimov’s Foundation series. Unbeatable in civilization-level intrigue even to this day.
How about your favorite Sci-Fi character?
An almost impossible question, but if I had to say right now I’ll cheese it and go with Legion from Mass Effect 2. I’m a little surprised myself putting it as my number one videogames as a medium are often hindered in the writing department, but I love robot characters with complex personalities, and Legion pulled up some excellent ideas.
One piece of advice you’d like to give to aspiring authors?
Work stupid-hard and you’ll make it. It doesn’t matter what you write; you’ll get there if you push hard enough.
If you want to advance your career, write. When you’re unable to write, read. When you’re unable to read, go on youtube and watch videos of authors doing it right. You decide the speed.
Jedi, Sith, or Mandalorians?
Mandalorians are cool (not sure about the new Disney+ show, though) and make up a large percentage of the Star Wars universe’s most badass characters.
I’m sort of a square, though, so I’ll ultimately say Jedi if I had to pick which one I’d be.
Awesome! Thanks for doing this interview!
You can find more about Kell and his books at his website:
Kell Inkston’s website
and on his Facebook Reader Group.