Kristal McKerrington Interview

Please give us your website addy, a list of your books and a short bio.

I'm a twenty two year old writer from Scotland, who believes in breaking new ground and making a huge difference to people's lives through the art of word.

I'm now a 13 time published Author with XoXo Publishing. My work consists of the following works. You can buy them on Amazon, ARE, 9 Clouds Publishing and on XoXo Publishing Store.

1. The Highlander With The Ink (Tattoo Anthology Volume 1)
2. Freedom Is Earned (Hip Hop Genre)
3. A Different Life: A Christmas Tale Of Two Hearts (Sweet Christmas Anthology)
4. A Highlander Norse God Stories: Leather Bound Hearts. (Sweet Christmas Anthology.)
5. Shetlands Immortals: Against My First Love
6. The Immortal Chief's Christmas With King Arthur
7. A Different Life: Three Lane Highway
8. A Different Life: A Valentines Day Save
9. A Different Life and Marie's Tales: I Just Want To Be Loved. (Coming soon)
10. Burning From Within: A Day In The Life Of Kristal McKerrington. (Coming Soon)
11. A Different Life: My Sacrifice (Coming Soon)
12. Marie's Tales: Taming A Player (Coming Soon)
13. A Heart Trapped Within A Highlander. (Coming Soon)

How do you usually come up with a story idea?  Dreams?  Writer’s journal? Eavesdropping on conversations?  Newpaper?

I get all my inspiration from everything around me. Most of the time the stories are just there and I run with them. There is always an idea just sitting there, but I believe that certain things spark it off.

Who or what inspires you when your creative mojo is lagging?

Shane Helms, The Waitress, Kimo, my family and music. My ideals have always helped me to have my mojo running at its up most level and the reason why I think I was able to come up with the A Different Life series and all of the other ground breaking works.

Who is your Yoda—your seasoned mentor?

Gina C, Amanda Struz, everyone really at XoXo Publishing. At the very beginning I was always trying to be follow Catherine Cookson's lead then when I went online I started to follow Densye's methods closely and she became a really good distant mentor.

What importance do you place on writing workshops?  What workshops would you recommend to us?

I think its great for people/authors who feel like they need that extra bit of help. Its not something I personally work with or attend. I have support and help from my families veteran readers to help me with any writing issues or speak with my editor and mentor at XoXo Publishing.

What person would you like to thank for inspiring you in your writing aspirations?  How did this person help you?

Its really a group of people, I want to thank the The Hardy Show and Shane Helms. It was them that inspired me to take my writing into the publication/career route and it wasn't just that they have done. A lot of the stories are inspiration from themselves. Such as A Different Life Series was came from The Hardy Boyz, Shetlands Immortals really came from Yuk, Shane Helms and Kimo and Marie's Tales that is coming soon really came from Marty Garner. They were the ones that helped to plant the seed for my most important works to take life. I thank them every single day.

Have you ever used songs for inspiration?

Oh yes, that is my number one thing to have when I'm writing. When I'm planning more serious parts of the stories I need to be in the bath. I know that sounds strange, but that is what I have found is the most important thing in my development of my stories.

Do you play music when you write?  If so, what kind?  Or, do you have to have silence or background noise to set your writing muse free?

I have a mix of Music that I have playing in the background and its the mix that creates the right amount of atmosphere for my characters to come out. Its really essential for me to have Twitter, Messengers and Facebook on, because the fans are really important to the development of the characters voices.

Do you read in a different genre than you write?  If yes, why?  If you read in the same genre that you write, do you feel that it influences your writing in any way?   

I read loads of genres and I would say that anything we read will effect what we write. Cause we take in what others have written and we might add some touches to our works that connects the reader to some of our most favorite things. I would say that what I have read has influenced my work.

What is your process from idea to first draft?

I break each chapter down and from there I work on creating the flow of the story from there. I use the notes of the break down notes I have for the guidance through the stories, they stop me from getting stuck and better yet it also makes sure I don't go off topic too much.

Have you ever given assistance to a struggling new writer?  Has another writer ever come to your aide?  How?

I did I helped a young Author to whom I had known for a year when she got writers block. The tips I gave her helped her get out of the block and now I hear she is doing well for herself. I try to help any Authors, who want my help.

What do you consider your greatest accomplishments in your career so far?

When One Pro Wrestling said I could sit backstage at there show One Last Stand. That was a huge honor for me. They are the leading Wrestling Company in the UK and one of the top 5 biggest Wrestling Promotions in the World currently so I felt completely honored and shocked. Thank you guys.

Also a break through moment for me was when I was named the most Promoting Author for XoXo Publishing and when the Romantic Times Conference organizers said that they were going to send me the forms for the Wrestling, Romance Panel for there next years conference. Those I feel were accomplishments.

If you won the big lottery, what would you do with the money?  Would give any of it to charity?  If so, which one?

I would buy a share in One Pro Wrestling, XoXo Publishing and would use the money to attend all the conferences. I would however give some money that I won to the 'Help Billy Codwell Foundation' to make sure the little boy is able to keep getting the medical care he needs.

What is the best advice you want to give to a new writer?

Keep you head up, once you start writing and publishing its the best feeling in the world and better yet you will see a whole new world out there. Just keep your spirits up and it will help you get through the fog of people trying to get published as well as the rejection.

If you could choose an animal for a mascot, what animal would it be?  What do you admire about this animal?  Do you feel you have qualities similar to this animal?  If so, what are they?

I would say the Selkie, because they are have a freedom of all the seas, no board crossings, no passports and no real fear of the future. They have a lifetime to see the world and to understand what is out there.

If money, education and fear factors were set aside, what three careers would you like to attempt other than writing?

Well if Health was set aside too then Wrestling, Acting or Anti-Natal Doctor.

If money, talent and fear were no object, what big adventure would you like to have?

I would love to spend months with Wrestlers, working with them on the movie set of my books.

What characteristics do you like to instill in your heroes? What characteristics do you feel are necessary for a good heroine?

Strong backbone and determination in both love, career as well as understanding of the world around them.

If you had the power to change two things in the world, what would those two things be?

Shapeshifting ability and able to cast spells.

If could have a super power for a day, what would it be?  Why?

I would love to be the Superhero side kick to Hurricane Helms for the day and why, because that looks more than fun and crazy.

'A Different Life; Three Lane Highway'

'All Layla's life she has been fighting for what she believes in and just after leaving collage she sees the Wrestlers she grew up idealising, career's in trouble.  In a huge effort she blows the Wrestling world apart by leaking their secrets in hope to burst in to save their careers, but that isn't what she does.

Under a whole lot of new pressure Will, Edward and Shane get angry at this young twenty year old author who is making their world harder then it all ready is.  They want to know who the author is that has decided to threaten the world that they had a hand in building, yet they only know what that the rest of the general public knows. They know she is called Midnight and that she is the most secretive person online yet the only author who interacts with her fans on a daily bases.

After waiting a very long time the three of them are all ready to get their revenge on her, when they get a call that they never thought they would receive, everything changes.   

Meeting Midnight in person changes everything as Edwards connection grows towards her.  He learns all about being on set, about being in her world, but its not just Edward who is starting to fall for the writer that is changing everything.  Will feels it too.  The bad thing is Cameron her High School and Collage boyfriend is right there with her.  Midnight herself is falling for the men she never thought she meet, even though she sees disaster up ahead.

Who will Layla choose when it comes to the crunch and will Layla survive the front lines of Wrestling world that is commonly known for injury, heart break oh and did I forget killing its Wrestlers before their time? Could you survive?'