Author interview with Kay Kenyon

Kay Kenyon

Kay Kenyon, acclaimed author of the science fiction series The Entire and the Rose, is next up in the ongoing Never Have, Never will interview. 

1. Is there a story you’ve written that will never see the light of day? Why would you deprive us of this genius?

A very bad first novel lives in a box somewhere. It was a practice novel, but it would have killed me to know that at the time. Another fine reason why seeing the future is a way bad idea.

2. What’s a story you’ve never written, but always wanted to?

Nope. If want to write it, I do. Good ideas are scarce. But wait: there's that hideous story of a cat with psi-powers . . .

3. Is there a character or plot point you’ve wanted to change in retrospect?

Well, I so wish I hadn't said that Vancouver was in northeastern Canada. But other than that, I really try never to look back at my novels. I've never even picked up one of them to take a look.

4. Which of your characters would you never want to meet (in a dark alley or otherwise)?

I created monsters in one novel. The Hhso, they were called. This was the only time that I got an idea from a dream. They still scare me. 

Bright of the Sky

5. Which of your worlds/realities/cities would you never want to visit?

In Tropic of Creation, the desert world explodes with life in a monsoon year. Very bad things happen as predators emerge from the mud. So for that novel, I Really try not to look back.

6. Are there any real-world locations you’ve written about but have never visited (or never want to)?:

The Hanford Nuclear reservation features prominently in City Without End. But passes to see one of the reactors are famously hard to get, so I researched it and then faked it. I drove around the public areas of Hanford and looked at the reactor with binoculars, for one thing. I'm writing this from Guantanamo.

7. Is there a piece of writing advice you’ve never followed?

"Write what you know." I write science fiction and fantasy. I write what I can imagine.

8. What is an aspect of the writing craft you’ve never had a problem with (and why)?

Procrastination. I'm driven. It's a great quality for a writer, but it Will make you just a teensy bit crazy.

9. What’s the one book out there that you wish you’d written (but of course won’t, because it’s already written, and writing it again would be plagiarism, and that’s just mean)?

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell.

A World too Near

 10. What aspect of writing will you never stop working to improve in?

Telling a riveting story--that cracks the ice inside us, as Kafka said.

11. What’s one part of the publishing industry/process you wish you could do without?

Promotion. I generally have to drink way too much coffee to even begin.

12. What’s the one thing you would never do to shamelessly promote your current release?

Go on a five state killing spree. All other options, I do what I'm told.

13. What’s a question you’ve always wanted to answer, but have never been asked?

"Which of your major characters are you most like?"

- And your answer?

Clio Finn. She's tough, mouthy and damaged. Oops... maybe we'd better stop now.