'Wings of Shadow' first novel from author Anna Kyss

1.) Anna, for those who are not familiar with you, can you tell us a little about yourself and your writing?

I just released my debut novel, Wings of Shadow, in late May. It is the first book in The Underground Trilogy. At first glance, it is a YA urban fantasy with a hint of sweet paranormal romance. But the novel also examines the concepts of social Darwinism: what cost should be taken to save an entire species? What sacrifices should be made? I think readers will be surprised at the very literal manner in which this theme is tackled.

2.) What is a typical writing day like for you? Or is there such a thing as a "typical" writing day for you?

As I am relatively new to the writing arena, I have a foot in two different worlds. During the weekdays, I am immersed in my “first” career which creates odd writing hours. I often begin writing around ten at night, and my best bits of creative genius seem to happen in the midnight hours. Often, I spend Saturday or Sunday doing a writing/editing/revising marathon.

3.) Who are some writers you believe have had a major influence upon your writing?

There are multiple paths to becoming a writer. Some people seem to know from the time they are children. They grow up writing down all the creative stories their imaginations provide and take all the proper coursework in college.

I had no idea that there was a writer hiding within me until I was in my thirties. I was a voracious reader, though: the child who always had a pile of thirty books and finished that pile within days. I did always receive compliments and high grades on my written work, formal reports and such, throughout all of my schooling.

My biggest influences have been the stories of authors who woke to discover novels within them and their resounding successes when they set those novels free.  

4.) Mountains or beaches? Or neither?

I’m an eclectic traveler … sometimes I am in the mood for a tropical beach; at other times, I prefer hiking through the mountains or groves of old growth forest. I even have my “big city” moments. As long as I have the chance to wander someplace new, I’m a happy, happy girl!

5.) If you could drink only one liquid for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Really? You had to pick this question? I am so embarrassed to actually have to answer this. I thought about making up some interesting drink of choice, but I am going for complete and total honesty in this interview, so here it goes …

I tend to eat a pretty healthy diet. I buy mostly organic, always look for the local vegetables, and have been on a vegan diet for the past 13 years (and vegetarian even longer than that). But, if I had to pick only one liquid to drink, it would have to be my horrible, terrible, “bad habit” drink — I can’t believe I am actually going to reveal this to the masses — Diet Coke. I would be completely content to drink nothing but Diet Coke for the remainder of my days. There, my secret is finally out!

6.) What is one country you've never visited but which you would like to travel to? And why do you want to go there?

This is an impossible question. Only one?  There are so many choices. A quick Google search showed approximately 196 countries in the world, and I have only visited twelve of them. That leaves 184 to set foot on, and I do want to set foot on each and every one.

If I was forced to choose only one, though, it would have to be Bhutan. I would love to spend time in a country that measures the Gross National Happiness of its citizens, and values Gross National Happiness more than Gross Nation Product. Happy Buddhists in the Himalayan mountains … sounds lovely, doesn’t it? Besides, who wouldn’t want to visit a country with such a cool nickname: Land of the Thunder Dragon. If Bhutan didn’t lay claim to the name already, it would have made an excellent title for a novel!

For more on author Anna Kyss, check out her website annakyss.