Hello, fellow disciples! We've been searching far and wide for individuals who have cultivated for a long time. This month, we bring to you an interview with KateLorraine, the author of Darkly Devoted and the 2020 Watty-winning novel The Night the Vampires Came.

To read some of Kate's stories, check out the links in the in-line comments here ➟➜

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Tell us a bit about yourself!

I'm a woman living in NYC with my dogs. 

What is your writing process? Do you outline everything or write as things come to mind? Why?

I have a rough outline but I often change it as I write.

What are some things that influenced your story?

I like listening to a lot of Asian Drama music when I write. It does help me find the voice of the story (or so I think). Mostly, I think it just helps to listen to a different language than I am writing. 

Tell us about the main character of one of your stories. What inspired their creation?

My current story "The Popstar's Obsession" is about a girl who goes back to Shanghai with the hopes of hooking up with her high school classmate but instead, finds a long lost love. It's a dash of "Darkly Devoted" with the theme of the lost love, and a bit of "Fake it All the Way" with the injured love interest with relationship problems. Sometimes, I get an idea for another story because there are some themes in older stories that I want to build on. 

What were some challenges you experienced while writing the story?

It was a bit harder to set a story in Shanghai than NYC (tbh, the dark fantasy version of NYC -- Manna City is probably the easiest setting for me to write in). 

What message do you hope your story will tell your readers?

It is mostly a feel-good story with a bit of diversity and a bit of love. 

If you woke up in a time or place that was very different from reality, what would you do?

I guess, go back to sleep.

If there was something you could learn (i.e., some spell, some martial arts, etc.) like the main character in your book, what would it be?

How to make a ton of money from selling drugs that turn people into vampires. Yes, even though my MC dies for his crimes at the end, as an author I've learned nothing!

Would you rather go through a lifetime of never finding love or be willing to go through several lifetimes of hardships just to save your love? Why?

I'll help my true love make a decision -- he/she can go through several lifetimes of hardship to save me!

What is your favorite creature from Asian mythology or folklore? Why?

Probably the hulijing because I'm obsessed with foxy dogs.

What is your favorite Asian myth? Why?

Probably the White Snake. 

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Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, KateLorraine! We wish you the best of luck in your writing endeavors.

Until the next chapter, fellow disciples!