Five Questions with Katella Stegmann

Five Questions with Katella Stegmann


1) When you think of your favorite books, what is it that draws you to them and makes you want to read them over and over again?

Heart and soul. You can tell when someone has sweat blood into their stories, and someone who is just writing to try and gain a quick buck. Character development is huge. If I don’t care about the characters, I don’t care about what happens to them. I also like authors who don’t rely solely on romance to sell a story. There are other aspects that are equally important in a well rounded novel. Depth can make or break a book for me. Life is a balance between sacrifice and love. As a reader, I think it’s important for the author to make me question why I feel the things I feel. If a book makes me cry (in a negative or a positive light), you can bet I’ll read it again. I’ll also reread something if it makes me laugh. Humor is a must have.


2) Did you consciously decide to write the genre you write, or did it choose you?

Considering I’m eternally twelve years old and still laugh at childish and inappropriate things I’d say YA is my perfect match. I’m completely juvenile. We were just meant to be, like sweatpants and Sundays.


3) If you could sit down for a drink and a chat with any writer, who would it be, and why?

Dr. Seuss, because I think it would be a hoot to have an entire conversation that rhymes. “Would you like a shot of booze? Would you like to dance, then snooze? Would you like a glass of rum? Would you like your teeth to go numb?” Or Victor Hugo, because the heart he brought to his stories…I only dream of accomplishing the soul he put into his characters. And I won’t name names, but I can also think of a certain mainstream YA supernatural writer I’d like to sit down and smack with a newspaper and tell her, “No. That’s a bad author. Stop. Just stop.” I might get arrested for assault, but it would be worth it. I dislike poor quality writing being recognized over some of the incredible talent I’ve seen that goes virtually unnoticed. I know so many talented indie authors. I will always support indie over mainstream. Always.


4) When you are not writing (or reading) what is your favorite pastime?

I like to sing Broadway musicals in the shower. Does that count as a pastime? My current obsession is Les Misérables. Thank you, Victor Hugo. I was also singing RENT with one of my coworkers in surgery earlier today. The dog that was waking up from anesthesia looked at us like we were nuts. There’s just something about musicals that jacks me up.


5) At what point were you sure that your book was ready to be published, and how did you go about making it happen?

I edited to the point of exhaustion. Honestly, I was never ready. I just had to shut my neurotic brain up and completely clear my mind of my fears of sharing my writing in the public eye. I was like, “You’ve jumped out of a plane, but you can’t publish your books? Girl, you’ve got to chill. There are people out there fighting for your country, risking their lives every day. This is NOT that scary. Stop being a wussy and just go for it.” I give myself very rousing pep-talks. It’s an advantage of growing up as an only child. I entertained myself, which ironically helps me as a writer.

My God, I’ve rambled way too long. I’ll let you get back to your regularly scheduled internet distraction now. Thanks Bethany, for letting me talk your ear off with my senseless drivel. You’re a gem for asking such thought provoking questions.