Kaylyn's World

  Erudessa Gentian is multi-talented, adventurous, and supportive to all of her creative friends and colleagues. She was the farthest person I interviewed in Japan.  Kaylyn Gabbert : I know you are a busy woman who models, acts, writes, and probably does so much more. What creative aspiration did you follow first? Erudessa Gentian : Honestly, music would have been first. My parents first got me started on the piano at four, then the harp at five or six. And I was singing for as long as I can remember. Then I added other instruments. Then I was doing skits and acting. As I got older, I started getting bigger roles and full blown roles. As for the writing, it was a secret to everyone. It was cathartic for me to write about what I was learning and seeing people go through and turning it into story form. When my family found out I was doing it, they wanted to read it. Wait, songwriting came before my family found out about my creative writing. I was at a festival with my band (can...

  Clara is the most pure-hearted woman you will ever meet. When we met she offered me a ride home after I fell, and she didn't even know where I lived. She's a hard-worker, talented, and very creative.  Kaylyn Gabbert : I remember when we first met we met at a tutoring program for kids. What got you into tutoring? Clara Y. : For tutoring in general, it was seeing a person go from not knowing something to knowing something and being a part of their learning's process. Everyone has different learning processes, and I like seeing what makes the material click for each person. And you also learn from that. Also growing up, people helped me with learning a skill, colorguard, math, and reading, and it really helped me a lot.  KG : Have you always wanted to give back? CY : I never thought of it as giving back. I just think of it as being there for others like they have been there for me. Like a community. No one can do things on their own. I've never really thought about it li...

  Nephrys Darkwater and I met years ago in a writing group before making a few of our own. We work pretty well at encouraging and supporting other creative minds together. She's a phenomenal author, a sweetheart when it comes to editing (she's edited my work before), and she knows what she wants.  Kaylyn Gabbert : Nephrys Darkwater is a unique name. What inspired it? Nephrys Darkwater : So I was fourteen when I had first created the name Nephrys Darkwater. I've been fascinated by Ancient history, back then I was especially keen on Egypt. One of the goddesses is Nepthys. I really liked that name and it just became Nephrys. The Darkwater part was added on from an old cartoon I remember growing up watching called The Pirates of Dark Water. Released in 1991 with only one season and it was never completed, but it's still a great show. KG : What inspires your writing? ND : I have loved books since I was a toddler. My mom has old videos of me pushing aside presents to get to m...

  Beth Boss is one of my coworkers at a game company, but she's multi-talented as well. She's never afraid to speak her mind, always there for her friends, and she's an animal.  Kaylyn Gabbert : I know you have mentioned that your sister got you into writing. Can you tell me how she got you into it? Beth Boss : To the best of my recollection, since I was five at the time and I'm pulling from the vault here. I basically wanted to be like my older sister, but by the time I reached twelve, thirteen I realized I wasn't writing to copy her. I was writing because I loved it.  KG : Did she also get you into tutoring and sharing advice? BB : I did tutoring on my own in college, but she did get me into sharing advice. She started a workshop with one of our local libraries, and she originally wanted me to audit it. I actually ended up becoming a co-instructor for the program though. We did a teen writing workshop which was the core of the program and we even started an adult ...

  Mama Chico is now my mother-in-law, but we go way back and she's way more than just that to me. She always has been. Mama Chico is loving, fierce, and the absolute toughest woman I know. I admire her, and I was really excited to do this interview with her.  Kaylyn Gabbert : I clearly remember what you were like when we met online. You were sweet with enough blend of, 'if you keep up the stupid shit, I'll kick your ass'. Are you like that everyone? Mama Chico : Yes I am. I feel like everyone needs a push every now and then. KG : I also remember that every time I came to you vulnerable, even from across the country you were always right there with whatever I needed. Then I heard about you taking in 'Strays'. For those of us who don't know, what are 'Strays'? MC : Strays are what I call my extra children. As my kids were growing up and bringing home friends I noticed that some of them didn't have a good home life I guess you could say. So I kind o...

  Abigail Falanga is a talented author who always looks out for other writers. She inspires them every day with very thought-provoking questions. She's creative in so many aspects though, which is why I'm so lucky she penciled me into her tight schedule.  Kaylyn Gabbert : How long have you been writing? Abigail Falanga : I've been writing since I was about twelve, so at least twenty years if not longer.  KG : What got you into writing your own retelling of fairy tales? AF : I've always been fascinated with fairy tales. I didn't know fairy tale retellings were a thing until fairly recently. I found a challenge to do a retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses. [We discusses other retellings Bluebeard and Dangerous Tales] KG : I've never heard of The Twelve Princesses until I saw you were writing your own retelling. What is it about? AF : A king has twelve daughters, whose dancing shoes are always mysteriously worn out. Determined to find out why, he announces th...

  Amanda Porter is the sweetest, most adorable mother, and great author. She's also always looking out for her fellow writers. I was glad she could fit me into her busy schedule.  Kaylyn Gabbert : So we met in a writer's group online. How long have you been writing? Amanda Porter : I feel like I've been writing forever, but I've been published since 2012. My earliest memories of writing my stories down was using my school notebooks in middle school for my stories. KG : I also know you're a very active mom, so do your kids also help with your stories? AP : I write a lot of YA, and they are toddlers, so I don't read a lot to them. When I read a passage my oldest [4] was like, "Wow Mommy, that's a great story!" and that's the greatest praise I can get.  KG : Or how do you keep them occupied when a deadline is coming up? AP : I'm still trying to figure that out depending on how they feel. It's important that we handle things based on how th...

  Elana A. Mugdan is a very accomplished author, and she cosplays as her characters at events and such. She's so intelligent, charming, and supportive. Though we met online originally, I was lucky enough to attend one of her book launches pre-pandemic. I even brought guests.  Kaylyn Gabbert : When did you first start writing The Shadow Wars Saga? Also is it "The Shadow War Saga" or "Shadow War Saga"? Elana A. Mugdan : It's "The Shadow War Saga", but there's a Mandela Effect where people think it's called "The Dragon War Saga". I don't mind either way. I started writing this at fourteen because I was having an identity crisis. Originally, it was about me and my friends in a Lord of the Rings-esque world plus dragons. It was fairly derivative since I was just a kid, but as I grew up and my world views changed so did the book. It's crazy that as the series you can track not only my growth as an author but as a person.  KG : W...

  AJ Skelly, like most women I've interviewed, is multi-talented. We even talked about topics I didn't expect to learn. She's an author and an amazing designer. She always inspires her community, she loves to teach and learn, and her books are amazing.  Kaylyn Gabbert : So I first met you as an author. Was First Shift your first book? AJ Skelly : Yes, First Shift is my debut.  KG : What is First Shift about? AS : First Shift is the jumping off point for the Wolves of Rock Falls. There's an accidental nipping, fur no one was expecting, a psychopathic killer, and more. Each story has different narratives and romance, and I love writing romance. They do follow the overlying plotline. They can be read as standalones, but it's better as a series.  KG : I also know you are a woman of many creative talents. How did you find your love in so many creative avenues? AS : There are two types of people in the world; I'm right-brained. I make jewelry, coffee, tea, books, and ...

  Through a writing group online I met the funny and creative Anne Stenkjær. She also has Cerebral Palsy. She was one of the farthest people I interviewed as she lives in Denmark. We hit it off pretty easily.  Kaylyn Gabbert : I was wondering if we could talk about your Cerebral Palsy since I'm finally starting to meet other people with Cerebral Palsy like me. And you, like another woman with Cerebral Palsy, you are a force to be reckoned with.  *she nods* What is your Cerebral Palsy like? Anne Stenkjær : My Cerebral Palsy is mild. KG : How does it affect your life? AS : It affects my legs, balance, and coordination. KG : Have we talked about my Cerebral Palsy, and if not, would you like to know more about mine? AS : I think we talked about it a bit.  KG : I have a similar Cerebral Palsy to you. It affects my balance, legs, and coordination. Next question, I remember you telling me you've broken bones. How many bones have you broken? AS : I've broken both arms; left ...