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Creative Spotlight on Author Lindsey Kinsella
Meet one of my fellow regulars from Go Indie Now's shows and snag copies of his books. I loved chatting with Lindsey again and learning more about his latest book and future projects. Some of the questions he answered below we didn't touch on in the live episode, so give it a good read! Also, in the comments, tell me what your favorite dinosaur is. Give us some love and share this post and leave a heart.
Tell our readers briefly about yourself.
I am a Scottish sci-fi and fantasy author with a particular love for all things prehistoric.
Can you tell us about your most recent release? Album? Song? Art piece? Etc.?
My new book is titled The Heart of Pangaea and is my first foray into the fantasy genre. It follows a young girl and her imaginary friend as they explore a mysterious world buried within her subconscious.
What inspires you?
I tend to find inspiration from non-fictional sources; science and history heavy influence my work.
What is your creative work routine like? Do you balance it with another job?
I balance it with a million things! I'm an architect by day, writer by night, and events organizer by the weekend... and somehow a full-time dad at the same time.
Do you plan out your creations? What is your creative process like?
It has changed so much from book to book, but I've started to refine my style recently. I start with a skeletal outline and flesh it out, draft by draft. I'll often write the basic plot before adding sub-plots later.
Do you have a self-care routine, or do you want to have one? What do you do or wish that you did to take care of your mental health?
The writing sort of is my self-care. Sure, I've monetized it, but sitting down at night and escaping from reality for a few hours really helps to reset my brain.
What is your favorite creation thus far?
I genuinely think my newest novel. It's the book I didn't have the guts to write when I started out. I thought it was too "out there." I'm glad I finally decided to bring it to life.
Do you have a character that is your favorite over others you've written into creation?
There are a few, so it's really hard to pick one! I think the one I most enjoyed writing was Jynx, a fun, slightly bonkers, entirely pyromaniac freedom fighter. She has strong values and questionable methods but always has a smile on her face.
Are there any recurring themes in your work?
Dinosaurs! Paleontology has always been my passion and was the spark that led to my writing career; I want to bring the wonders of natural history to the reader.
What does success look like to you, considering your creative passion?
I always thought if only a few people bought the book and lived it, that would be a success.
What has been one of the biggest lessons you've learned since starting this journey? To let others into the process. It can be so easy to be protective of your creative works, but I've found being open to the critiques of beta readers to be extremely valuable.
What advice would you share with new or aspiring authors/singers/artists/etc?
My advice would be to remember it's a long process. You'll need time to perfect any piece of artwork, and it won't be especially good at first. But take your time, and don't lose faith in those early stages.
Where do you get your ideas for world-building?
My world-building for Pangaea came from a number of places, but mostly from the real-life supercontinent of Pangaea. Geology fans will recognize ancient places, such as Gondwana or the Tethys Sea. As for the cultural aspects of the world, I tend to look at real history. The climates of the French and Russian revolutions were influential.
What genre do you prefer to read?
Historically my preference has been horror, which is naturally a genre I'd love to write in one day!
What hobbies do you have?
I love old cars, so buying old clunkers and fixing them up is the best feeling in the world. To take something broken and make it cool is so satisfying.
Do you have any outside experiences that influenced your work?
I work in the world of shipbuilding, so nautical themes always work their way in. The time machine in The Lazarus Taxa was laid out like a boat, The Heart of Pangaea has a series of chapters at sea, and my work in progress takes place predominantly on a whaling ship.
Where can our viewers/readers/listeners find you and your work?
Both of my novels are available from all the usual online sources; Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, etc.