It has been a pleasure to interview our talented second place winner KelseyKeating2 . Again, please do check out this wonderful author's profile where you will find other brilliant novels including the Watty Award Winning "A Stolen Kiss".

1. Why did you decide to join the Herculean?

Originally, someone who had enjoyed my books tagged me in the Herculean challenge, suggesting I join. I don't actually write dark fiction, so I didn't plan to, but sort of thought "what the heck? Might be fun!" It was definitely a different experience, and in the beginning, I wasn't really sure I would fit in since I write happily-ever-after fairy tales. I'm glad I turned out to be wrong. :)

 2. What compels you to pick up a pen and scribble down your thoughts? Do you have any inspiration or motivation?

It's so funny what inspires me. It's never the same thing twice. Sometimes, I read a book or watch a movie and HATE it - just completely feel like it was a waste of time. Then, suddenly, I'm inspired to write something better. Other times I'll love something so much I want to write something that people love just as much.

Sometimes it's a song that plays and I get a picture in my head - a scene playing out, and I want to follow where it goes. It's been a quote before, one that made me want to break it down and really get into what it meant. I've been inspired by true stories and by Disney - by tragedy and triumph. All it takes is that little spark and boom. Story time.

3.Being a writer, what's the easiest part of writing and which aspect do you consider the most challenging?

The easiest part of writing for me is plot. I never have any trouble figuring out where a story should go or avoiding the plot holes that comes along with it (well, by the second or third draft ;) ). I've always loved to tell stories, so weaving the details in is my favorite part. The hardest part for me is the prose. I'm not a flowery writer, so I tend to get stuck in line edits trying to be descriptive. I'm more of a story teller than a writer at heart, but writing is how we tell stories these days, so I usually end up struggling in the line edits portion.

4. When did you start writing?

When I was six after I learned how to write complete sentences. I wrote a story about the new girl in my first-grade class and the boy who was mean to her, eventually becoming friends.

5. Can you describe your writing style in one word?

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. 

6. Tell us about your most favorite work you have ever written?

I think each of my books are my favorite in one way or another. My first two published books, A Stolen Kiss and A Stolen Crown have been a crazy ride as I moved from unpublished to professional. However, I think my favorite might be a book I wrote during NaNoWriMo a few years back that I hope to one day polish and publish. It was inspired by The Way by Fastball, and it's always had a place in my heart.

7. What made you want to write stories that are dark and unlike stories read by people usually?

Oh, nothing. I don't actually write dark stories at all. I wouldn't even call Fathoms Below all that dark except for maybe the setting. If it were a film, it would have one of those blue lenses, you know? Make even the day seam overcast by shadow. I think every story needs darkness to show the light, but I always want the light to win, so I write stories where good always triumphs over evil. Sometimes it's bittersweet, but I don't think I have ever written a story without some kind of silver lining.