Welcome, Kat. I’m so excited to meet a fellow, native Floridian. Okay, so I don’t live there anymore, but I was born and raised in Tampa. LOL

Thanks for stopping in. You have an impressive resume!

Let’s see, according to your website you graduated from the University of Tampa–Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Biology, taught everything from Art to Algebra II, home school two children, you’re an artist, and you are a writer.

So, are you left or right brain? Is there anything you can’t do?

There’s plenty I can’t do! Hah, if you ever saw me on a tennis court you’d find that out quick. But I do think I’m somewhat both left and right brained. I’ve always been an odd combo of artsy and logical.

How do you utilize all these talents in your writing? Do you incorporate any biology or math into your writing, maybe a bio-engineered hybrid for a villain that utilizes deferential equations to conquer the world?

Ooh, good idea….:).

I definitely integrate science into my writing. From taking a scientific angle on magic in my novel, Finding Angel, to having scientists sneak in as characters in a lot of my writing. I also have a lot of characters who are artists. One story I wrote is actually called “The Artist” and is about a girl who discovers her drawing ability is more than just a bit special.

You write everything from inspirational to horror. I love how you address this on your website:

Oh, and what’s this bit about light and darkness over there to the left? Well, I’m a Christian, but not everything I write is nicey-nicey. There are those who feel dark and scary writing is incompatible with Christianity. To that I say, “Hah! Jesus can go anywhere.” He’s called the Light of the world, and if you know your physics at all, you know that light can’t be put out by dark.

So take off your sunglasses (especially those rose-colored ones) and enter my world…

Being a writer who is also a Christian, it is a pleasure to meet someone so open about this difficult prejudice. Do you receive criticism for this statement or do you find many relate to this explanation?

I know a lot of Christian writers who have been criticized for writing horror or even just “dark” fiction, but I personally haven’t experienced that. I’ve had some friends tell me my dark writing isn’t for them, or merely given me a raised eyebrow. But most of my friends, family, and fellow writers have been quite accepting. I’ve been interviewed a few times by small, local papers and each time the reporter doing the story has turned the focus toward my horror writing because they find it “cool” that I’m a “Christian homeschooling mom who writes horror.”

(Oh, wait, there was the one person who joined a Christian spec-fic Yahoo loop I participate in and basically told us all we’re going to hell in a hand basket for our evil ways, so I guess I have been criticized en masse.)

Tell us a little about your short works of fiction. You have so many published in online and print magazines. Do you have a favorite story you’d recommend?

Many of my short stories are off-shoots from my novel, and are therefore fantasy. They include “The Gift” online at Digital Dragon magazine, “The Artist” in the print magazine Beyond Centauri, and “The Guitar” in an upcoming anthology by ResAliens called “While the Morning Stars Sing.” I’ve gotten a lot of comments from readers on “The Gift” and it would be a good place to start for something touching. Or for quirky, “Dude” at ResAliens.

I have three horror stories online in The Absent Willow Review, including “Willing Blood” which won Editor’s Choice for July/August 2009. That’d be the story I’d recommend if you’re looking for an example of my dark writing.

“Clay’s Fire” is in a print anthology by Pill Hill Press called The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. And I’ve even gotten a couple of poems published, including “Serpent Uncoiled” in A Flame in the Dark (an online Christian horror magazine) and a limerick making fun of Twilight in an anthology of vampire poems, Vampyre Verse.

What do you enjoy writing more, short works of fiction or novel-length?

I can’t say I like one better than the other, although I admit I’m a bit addicted to writing short stories. Immediate gratification, I suppose. I can finish them and find homes for them in a matter of months, or weeks, or even days depending on the story; whereas I started on my novel over three years ago and it’s yet to be published. But my novels are ultimately what I want out there. I started writing short stories originally just to get publishing credits so I could use them in my query letters. But I’ve grown to love writing them, and I doubt even the biggest of book deals would stop me from writing more.

What are your writing strengths and weaknesses? Do you have critique partners or belong to a crit loop? If so, do you find this helpful?

Oh, I hate trying to figure out my strengths and weaknesses with things like this. It’s learning in all directions. But I’d have to say I’m good at plotting, figuring out twists and turns and tying things together in inventive ways. Also, the editor from The Absent Willow Review told me I had “excellent descriptive skills” in the acceptance letter for “Willing Blood.” A friend described that same story as “vivid”—so I guess description would be a strength. Weaknesses—wordiness. I had to cut and cut and cut from Finding Angel. I’ve gotten much better, though. I think short story writing has helped me tremendously with that.

Yes, I definitely have critique partners. I attend two different critique groups in my area where I usually bring my non-fiction writing and the occasional short fiction story. I love critique groups! But going through an entire novel a couple thousand words at a time once a month is not effective. So, I’ve made some connections locally and online to get critiques of my longer work. It is immensely helpful. Having that input from other writers is essential in my opinion. And critiquing other people’s writing is just as helpful. Often you spot things in others’ writing that you wouldn’t have seen in your own, and then it transfers to your writing. Can’t say enough for critique groups—with one warning: be selective. And learn the difference between good writing advice and bad. (Yeah, I know, could I be more vague?)

Do you have a favorite craft book or class/workshop you’ve taken?

I attended the Florida Christian Writers Conference in 2009 and sat in on the Teen Track workshop led by author Bryan Davis, which ran two hours each day of the conference. I could only attend one day, but learned SO much in those two short hours. He’s a wonderful teacher.

I recommend going to anything you can in person. Writers conferences are expensive, but local groups often have free workshops and guest speakers. The groups I attend have had some awesome speakers.

As for books, Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King when it comes to nuts and bolts of writing. For inspiration and more general writing advice my favorite is On Writing by Stephen King.

Okay, here’s a few questions just to get to know Kat better.

What is your favorite…

TV show?

“Mythbusters.” It’s about the only one I watch. That, and “How It’s Made.” When I can remember it’s on I do love “House” though.

Movie?

That would be a tie between all the Harry Potters , Sorcerer’s Apprentice, and When Harry Met Sally.

Author?

J.K. Rowling, Madeline L’Engle, C.S. Lewis, Stephen King, Tosca Lee, Catherine Fisher…Oh, you just wanted one, didn’t you?

Book?

Just about anything by the author’s listed above. I’ve read the Harry Potter novels more than any others though. Seriously, there is no way you could make me pick a single favorite book—I think my brain would explode trying to decide.

Is there anything else you could share with us about you and/or your writing?

Well, I mentioned above that I’ve done some non-fiction writing as well. Fiction is where my heart is, but I’ve had some experiences that begged to be shared and quite a few of those have been published as well, yielding my most recognizable publishing credit, Chicken Soup for the Soul. My story “Lights of Hope” appeared in this year’s Christmas anthology, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Magic. I thought it apt that my nonfiction story be put into a book with “magic” in the title .

Also, this writing thing has brought back my passion for drawing, and as a result I’ve done some cover and interior sketches for novels published by Splashdown Books, and I’m currently working on sketches for an anthology that will release next year by Port Yonder Press.

Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule for this interview. It was a blast getting to know you better. Good luck with all your writing pursuits! Oh, and thanks for coming over to the dark side (with inspiration) for the day. 

Thanks so much for having me!

Links:

To find a listing for more of Kat’s writing go to her blog

Kat’s Author page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kat-Heckenbach/125084577483

Other Interviews with Kat (most recent first):

http://www.ospreyobserver.com/digital-archives/2010/2010-12-Valrico/index.html (“turn” to page six)

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/sep/30/cancer-survivors-inspiring-story-part-new-chicken-/

http://brandonnews2.tbo.com/content/2010/apr/21/161420/valrico-mom-pens-inspiration—and-horror/

http://brandonnews2.tbo.com/content/2010/jan/27/br-local-christian-fantasy-writer-to-offer-success/news/

http://20-20faithsight.blogspot.com/2010/04/authors-corner-finding-angel-by-kat.html

http://katiedid95.weebly.com/2/post/2009/05/author-interview-kat-heckenbach.html

Artwork links:

Splashdown Books: http://www.splashdownbooks.com (My drawings can be found on the cover of “The Duke’s Handmaid” and “Nor Iron Bars a Cage”, and inside “Tales of the Dim Knight”)

Splashdown Facebook Page:  http://www.facebook.com/splashdownbooks

Port Yonder Press: http://portyonderpress.com/default.aspx

Port Yonder Press, illustrations for anthology—mine is the portrait in the upper right: http://portyonderpress.com/Illustrations_2010_ElfAnthology.aspx