PPWC 2014 Q&A - Darby Karchut

Darby Karchut, Author

1. What was the defining moment that made your realize you wanted to be an author?

After I wrote a piece of fan fiction about five years ago for Foyle’s War and received enough positive feedback to make me think about writing a book. With my own characters, no less.

2. What is the one thing you cannot work without? What is your creative vice?

Silence. I cannot work with the sound of voices or music, even instrumental music. I wear earplugs a lot. Coffee strong enough to be considered a lethal weapon in many countries.

3. If you could 'revive' any literary figure from the past for a one hour conversation, who would you choose?
Why, the Great One, of course: J.R.R. Tolkien.

4. What is one of your more notable or unusual conference or convention experiences?

It was my first ever conference which happened to be the 2010 Pikes Peak Writers. I was pitching my debut novel to an agent, and introduced myself as Karby Darchut.

5. If we asked your friends and family to compare you to a cartoon character, which would they choose, and why?

The Coyote. I can take the hits and keep on a-coming.

6. What is one thing would you like aspiring authors to know about the road to success?

You need to treat your writing as a business. That means writing everyday, even when you don’t feel like it. That means making deadlines, both big and small. That means acting professional in person and within social media. Yes, you can be your own delightful, quirky self, just do it with class.

About the Author: Darby Karchut is an award-winning author, teacher, and compulsive dawn greeter. She’s been known to run in blizzards and bike in lightning storms. When not dodging death by Colorado, Darby writes urban fantasy for tweens, teens, and adults.