Hello everyone!

Today we have vkbloodgood , the writer of Little Brother with us.

Warm regards, VK. Welcome to an official interview from @TheCRYPTIC_ . It's our honor to interact with an inspiring writer like you. We hope that you'll have a great time.

First of all, tell us how you stumbled upon Wattpad and when.

I was looking for free books on the App Store back in...2011, I think. Lots of the stuff I wanted to read was always checked out of the school library, and I couldn't always make it to the public one. I found Wattpad and thought it was just free books, but I was so excited when I figured out I could write my own stuff.

Wow! So what do you think about THE CRYPTIC's theme? What are your views regarding dark fiction?

I think the Cryptic is iconic. I appreciate the presence it's making on Wattpad. Seems like a group that can bring lots of people together.

I love dark fiction, even though I get scared ridiculously easily. I'm bad at writing it, but I adore reading it. Gothic stories have always been some of my favorites to read or watch. Back when I was a teenage edgelord, I could have recited Sin City to you word for word.

What do you like to read? Do you have a favourite genre or any specific likes?

Fantasy is my favorite genre, but I'll read anything that looks interesting. I have a soft spot for cheesy historical bodice-rippers. And any book that's even remotely about Halloween has my immediate attention.

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

I think it's characters that drive me, more than plot or setting or whatever else. If someone walks into my head, I can't ever shake them out again unless I write down their story. But music is a huge part of my writing too. Sometimes I'll change an entire story just to fit a song I like.

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

The easiest part for me is the background work- plotting, building the world, researching, developing characters and conflicts. Actually writing the story out is very difficult for me. I think so f%#*ing slowly when I write, and I always get off track from the original idea.

What kind of environment do you prefer to write in?

Outside somewhere. Parks are my favorite. Sometimes there are cute dogs!!!

What's your first piece of writing, if you can remember? What thoughts does it bring to you when you look back at it?

I can't remember my very first piece, but I do remember one of the stories I wrote in middle school. It was about a group of friends who were going on an amateur dig in an Egyptian tomb. I think there was a curse involved and some relationship drama. I was so proud. It was awful.

Tell us about your growth as an author.

I know this may be hard to believe, since my stories aren't much to write home about, but I have gotten a lot better. For one thing, I now know that Ancient Rome was a lot heavier on the curses than Ancient Egypt was.

Do you have a favorite author or book?

Too many. Recently I've been reading these fantastic neo-noir novels called Bone Street Rumba by Daniel José Older. Killer urban fantasy even if you're not usually a fan of that kinda stuff.

I highly recommend Zen Cho's Sorcerer to the Crown for anyone who loves witches and Jane Austen. It's an exciting low fantasy Regency story with mystery, magic, and just a pinch of romance.

Ursula K. LeGuin, Peter S. Beagle's The Last Unicorn and N.K. Jemisin are other favorites of mine. I loved Scott Lynch's Gentleman Bastard series when I was a teenager. I've heard Saladin Ahmed's Throne of the Crescent Moon is not to be missed. Terry Pratchett's The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents scared me shitless as a kid. And I've heard Nnedi Okorafor's Akata Witch books are amazing- they're right at the top of my stack.

Besides writing, do you have any hidden talents?

I can mow a pretty sweet lawn.

You're sitting in front of a brand new aspiring writer, what do you say?

It's gonna suck for a while. You're gonna suck for a while. But the only way you can go is up. Read the kinds of books you want to write. You like this kind of writing, that kind of genre, those characters- read as much of those things as you can. Observe your surroundings. Watch all kinds of shows and movies. Every little bit helps. Nobody creates a world from thin air.

And don't listen to anyone who tells you you're not good enough to write or that your book is stupid.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Don't be afraid to tell us something funny, we won't tell.

I like dressing my dog up in weird outfits. Someday she's gonna lose it and start yelling at me in French.

Now, the most awaited question of every young reader, do you have any childish habits? Do you like cartoons or chocolates?

I love a few cheesy kids' movies. And juice boxes.

Do you prefer sweet or salty?

Both at the same time.

It was nice talking to you. Thanks for your precious time. We really appreciate it and hope you'll prosper leaps and bounds.

THE LEGEND...

Morien, a knight of Camelot, narrowly escapes his own execution at the hands of the wicked King Arthur. Barely alive, he flees into the forest of outlaws, where old magic and the dangerous few who remember it may be able to help him.

With the aid of a mad warrior, a mysterious witch, and a cheerful talking head, Morien then reluctantly embarks on a perilous quest to restore the rightful ruler to Briton's throne.

Morien will face many obstacles as he journeys with his new friends to find Camelot's heir: war, true love, the powerful Celtic gods...but none as great as his own destiny.
 
                                               ...COMES TO LIFE.