Connect with Author Kurt Chambers!
Joining us today on our countdown to the Poems, Lyrics, Psalmos Book Launch Event is Author Kurt Chambers. He graciously agreed to talk about his book Truth Teller which is available right now for free. Make certain to check out the interview, then head to the event and join in the giveaway below!
When did you first decide you wanted to write?
I have to confess, I’m not one of these authors who wanted to write the moment they were old enough to pick up a crayon. I was in my late thirties when I decided I wanted to write children’s novels. I worked as a volunteer at the time, helping to run a Brownie pack as a member of Girl Guiding UK. Anyone who works with children will know what an inspiration they are.
What is your favorite genre to read and/or write?
I’m a big fantasy fan. I started reading high fantasy novels at about the age of twelve and became hooked straight away. But I wasn’t that great at reading and sometimes struggled with some of the hard core fantasy novels. When I started writing my first fantasy series, I wrote it in a way I would have wanted to read it when I was a child.
Do you have a favorite author?
Yes, Terry Brooks is my all-time favourite author. I have read most of what he has written. I admire him as an author. He is just so great at what he does. The Sword of Shannara series was an inspiration for me to write fantasy.
What was it like writing Truth Teller?
That is a good question! Truth Teller was the first novel I wrote, and I was amazed at what a roller coaster journey it is to write a novel. Well, it was for me, anyway. You put so much of yourself into a novel. It affects your every emotion. Before I ever wrote a novel, I assumed you just write a story, but there is so much more involved than that. You become close with the characters you’ve created, experience all their experiences, the good and the bad. They become part of your real life. To you as an author, they have to be real or you could never convince a reader they are.
Is there something you want to write about, that you haven’t yet?
I have considered a few times about writing an adult horror story. I like to think I am a descriptive writer and think I could do this very well. At the moment, I only write children’s stories because I love the inner child in me. I love the innocence of children, their most endearing quality. I love showing this side of myself as an author. But if I wrote horror, I would have to show my messed up dark side to a reader. I think I will stick to writing middle grade. It’s way more fun. There is enough horrible stuff in the world without me adding to it.
What is one silly fact about you?
I am a massive Sponge Bob Square Pants fan! I love the childish sense of humour. My wife thinks that’s pretty silly. How can you not love Sponge Bob? He’s the funniest sponge ever! I was on holiday once visiting a Sea Life centre with my kids. There was a man who had some star fish in a bucket. He invited me and my daughter to touch it while he told us star fish facts. He explained that star fish don’t have brains. I replied, “Is that why Patrick on Sponge Bob Square Pants is so stupid?” He thought for a moment and said, “I guess so. I never really thought about it.” My wife just rolled her eyes and walked away.
Do you have a favorite character you have written so far?
I absolutely love my two main characters in Truth Teller, Charlotte, a ten-year-old girl, and Elderfield, a teenage elf. But I have a special fondness for one of my rogue characters, Blaine, a dwarf Entertainer. He only makes a short appearance in book one, but he has a much bigger part in the second book, The Wrath of Siren. He just makes me laugh. I would have to pick him.
Is your writing influenced by people in your life?
Yes, I think this is the case for all authors, even if not directly. One of my characters is a real person. The rest are made up fictional characters, but I am sure they all have traits from real life people you meet in the real world. People are a big influence in everybody’s life.
Anything you want to say to the readers of my blog?
I would just like to say thank you for taking the time to visit and read this interview. The first book I have been talking about, Truth Teller, is free to download on any reading device. Even if you are not a big fantasy fan, I’m sure you would love this heart-warming all action story. Despite being a children’s novel, it has been enjoyed by all age groups from eight to eighty. Who knows, I might even convert you to a fantasy fan.
Truth Teller is available for free!
And enjoyed it, too…
haha!! Thanks Kyle 🙂
My days of being cool are long gone LOL It was as much a surprise to me becoming an author as it was to anyone else. We've know each other a long time. I'm glad you was one of the first to download my book 🙂
Well done, Kurt.
And I can truthfully say I was there at the beginning, as the author was born in you…well, sort of. None of us knew and you did well to keep it hidden from us all because, back then, people would've just taken the Mick!! It's not easy when you're a teenager and a Mod and life is all about being "cool". Kids are cruel…and I always knew there was SOMETHING dark and secretive about you, though I never knew it was writing…I'm just glad it wasn't one of my other suspicions-that you liked wearing womens clothes! Phew!!
Anyway, it all turned out fine in the end…
I'm glad you enjoyed it! It was a privilege having you here ^.^
Thank you so much for featuring me on your great site! This was a fun interview 🙂