Kami Garcia is a #1 New York Times-bestselling and Bram Stoker nominated author, and the co-author of the Beautiful Creatures and Dangerous Creatures novels. Her solo series, the Legion, includes the instant New York Times bestseller Unbreakable and its sequel, Unmarked.
In today’s episode, we learn what drew Kami to write in the YA and Romance genre and the inspiration behind her novel The Lovely Reckless. We discuss the inner workings of writing for a fandom and all about Kami’s experience writing The X-Files Origins book. We also discuss Kami’s work as a teacher for 17 years and uncover the inequalities in the public school system and she shares advice that will help create change.
She talks about why we’re responsible for speaking up and stepping in to help one another, and how the YA community’s support of diversity creates new normals. We also touch on the underlying theme of fitting in and embracing your differences throughout all of her novels.
For our craft-focused writers, Kami walks us through writing POV characters with authenticity and why it’s crucial to understand your characters’ past when you’re crafting dynamic villains in your story. Kami shares powerful advice on creating solid query letters and how to effectively pitch your book to literary agents.
Happy listening!
Xo
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“I think that the key is to write either what you know or you have access to.”
-Kami Garcia
“Books give us the chance to be other people and go other places.”
-Kami Garcia
“The willingness to stand up for other people and speak out when something is wrong is very prevalent in the YA community.”
-Kami Garcia
What You’ll Learn From This Episode:
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- What drew Kami to the YA and Romance genre
- The inspiration behind Kami’s novel The Lovely Reckless
- Kami discusses our responsibility for speaking up and stepping in to help one another
- The importance of acting on your intuition and trusting your gut
- The themes of fitting in while embracing your differences in Kami’s novels
- How the YA community’s support of diversity creates new normals
- Why research and personal connection is crucial when writing diverse characters
- How to write POV characters with authenticity
- Kami discusses the inequalities in the public school system and advises steps to create change
- Understanding your characters’ past when crafting dynamic villains in your story
- The inner workings of writing for a fandom and all about Kami’s experience writing The X-Files Origins
- Tips for creating a solid query letter to land a literary agent
- How to effectively pitch your book to literary agents
- How reading craft books will immensely strengthen your craft and help you write an addictive read
- Ways to earn income to support your writing dreams
How did Fox Mulder become a believer?
Read this dark thriller to find out why millions of people became obsessed with The X-Files.
In the spring of 1979, seventeen-year-old Fox Mulder has bigger problems than applying for college. Five years ago, his younger sister disappeared from their home and was never heard from again. Mulder blames himself, and his mother blames his father, who has retreated into his top-secret work for the State Department. In Fox’s senior year, his dad has moved him to Washington, DC―away from his friends on Martha’s Vineyard.
While Mulder doesn’t mind the fresh start and not being known as “that kid with the missing sister,” he’s still obsessed with finding Samantha. So when a local boy turns up dead and another child is abducted, Mulder can’t stop himself from getting involved. Could there be a link to his sister’s case? As he uncovers the truth, Mulder and his friends find themselves on the trail of a serial killer.
Sucked into a world where conspiracies, the occult, and madness overlap, Fox Mulder starts to believe.
Learn More About Kami Garcia
Kami’s Recommended Books & Resources:
Authors Pen Letter of Support to NYC Youth by Phil Bildner, C. Alexander London, Meg Medina, and R.J. Palacio
X-Files by Chris Carter
The X-Files Origins: Devil’s Advocate by Jonathan Maberry
K.M. Weiland’s Helping Writers Become Authors
Save the Cat!: The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need by Blake Snyder
SCBWI: Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Wired for Story: The Writer’s Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence by Lisa Cron
The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller by John Truby
Plot & Structure: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Plot That Grips Readers from Start to Finish by James Scott Bell
Write Your Novel From The Middle: A New Approach for Plotters, Pantsers and Everyone in Between by James Scott Bell
Kami’s Pinterest Board for Craft Books
The Hero’s 2 Journeys by Christopher Vogler and Michael Hauge
The Emotional Craft of Fiction: How to Write The Story Beneath the Surface by Donald Maass
Say ‘Hi!’ to Kami
