Carol McKibben is a multi-genre author of 14 novels, and we had the pleasure of having this Author interview – Carol McKibben for our blog. Check out these fantastic authors and follow them for more amazing stories.
Carol McKibben is the author of 14 novels, including two vampire mystery series – Snow Blood and Moon Blood — and her beloved, award-winning Luke’s Tale. Her books are predominantly narrated by a wolf or a dog, passions along with horses.
She also writes unexpected paranormal romance under the pseudonym of Penn Scripter with her daughter S.N. McKibben. Together they have created The Demon of Reginhart and The Reincarnation of Charlie. When not writing or editing, you’ll find her practicing or showing her dressage competition horses.
When did you start writing?
2005
What was it like growing up?
I grew up just outside Asheville, North Carolina. Times were different then. We went out in the morning in the summertime and played until the street lights came on. Mother was a stay-at-home mom. I have always loved dogs and horses and kept surrounded by them. My brother was nine years older than me, so he was in college when I was a pre-teen. It was like being an only child, except my brother and I were very close.
How was your early life?
From North Carolina, I attended the University of Georgia and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BA in English and Journalism. I was married in college and had my son. Later we had a daughter. I taught high school English and Journalism for a decade and became a magazine editor and later publisher for another 15 years. I began my freelance editing and writing business in 2005.
What has been the biggest influence in your career?
My father. I started writing stories when I was fourteen. He would read my writing and encourage me to become a writer. He made me promise to get a college degree, and I did. After he passed, I earned an MAT in English. On stage, I raised my diploma and looked upward with, “This is for you, Daddy!”
Tell us about your newest release.
Reign – The Rise of the Lich is Book 2 in the Silver Blood Knight Series. (All my novels are written through the eyes of a wolf or a dog.) This is the third series which is the continuing saga of the sire line of the original vampire as taken from the Vampire Bible. Here is a summary of the Reign Book 2 plot: They are Italy’s only hope. James, God’s own appointed knight, a hybrid vampire wolf, a teenaged wizard, and a handful of kindred Lycans are the only barrier that stands between all of Italy and its destruction. The corrupt politician, Matisse, has spent decades transforming into a Lich. Now that he can raise the dead, he leads masses of undead warriors across Italy, intent on killing every living soul in their path. As Heaven’s small band struggles to stop the Lich and his unholy soldiers, other mythological predators arise, determined to destroy James and his friends. With evil closing in on every side, will Heaven win? The book is in pre-order on Amazon now and will be released on April 21, 2023.
Which book of yours would you call your favorite child?
Probably Luke’s Tale – A Story of Unconditional Love. It was my first novel (non-vampire) but close to my heart.
What inspired you to write this book?
For Luke’s Tale, I wanted to show readers the unconditional love that dogs provide to humans and pose the question: If dogs can love us unconditionally, why can’t we love each other in the same way? Reign – The Rise of the Lich, it was a natural progression through the generations of the original vampire’s progeny. Throughout all three series, a wolf or dog’s unconditional love, even for characters that might not be easy to love, is steadfast. They example of what it means to love and support others.
What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?
As you can tell from my profile photo, horses play an important part in my life. I have been training and riding in dressage competitively for the past 25 years. So when I am not writing, I am riding!
What does your writing space look like?
It’s a small desk with a computer screen, a dock for my iPhone, and an extension for my Daytimer that I still rely upon! My back is to a large window overlooking the woods of our 27-acre property in Central Texas.
If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?
I wrote a memoir. It’s called Riding Through It. It’s about my early life and my first husband, who almost killed me.
How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?
About three months. I wrote an outline and began to write. Then l just need to quote William Faulkner: “It begins with a character, usually, and once he stands up on his feet and begins to move, all I can do is trot along behind him with a paper and pencil trying to keep up long enough to put down what he says and does.” This is so very true. My protagonist leads the way, and he or she is always a wolf or a dog.
Favorite reads?
Anything by Koontz, King, or Irving.
Do you have any book recommendations?
Yes! The Reincarnation of Charlie. LOL! It’s by Penn Scripter, and I wrote it with my daughter S.N. McKibben. Or any of my vampire novels. Start with Snow Blood, Season 1.
What’s your next big project?
Onward to Book 3 in the Reign series. Also working on a novel for Penn Scripter entitled Blood Money.
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Write every day. Read every day. Listen to your heart and your gut. Decide if you are in it for the money or the love of it. If you are in it for the money, write what your audience wants to read. Figure that out through research. If you are in it for the love of it, write what you love and want to read.
Follow Carol:
http://www.carolmckibben.com
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Carol-McKibben/author/B00B6HDRVU
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