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A Conversation with Cheryl Kahn, an inspiring YA Fantasy Author
Cheryl Kahn is a YA fantasy author. Editorial reviews have called her first book a perfect, thrilling blend of young adult, romance and fantasy; and readers of all ages are addicted to her action-laced Five Senses series.
Cheryl once worked as a corporate attorney and yoga instructor, but when the pandemic scaled back her yoga teaching, she reassessed her passions. Following a dream that began in 6th grade when she and her best friend penned a story in a spiral notebook during recess, Cheryl now spends her days crafting stories with care and a lot of heart.
When not at the computer, she can be found sweating at the gym with friends, walking her rescue pup, and glued to her Kindle. She lives in California with her college sweetheart, now husband. “The love I have won’t be destroyed by death.”Cheryl Kahn, Touch.
Let’s get started with a quick rapid fire.
Q1.If you could be transformed into one animal, which one would you choose?
A dog. But my owners better let me on the couch.
Q2. Finish the phrase “the way to my heart is…”
Giving me quiet time to read a good book.
Q3. Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?
See answer to question 2 😉
Q4. Do you watch shows one episode at a time or binge whole seasons?
Both. But anything Bridgerton or Mandalorian related I will binge and re-binge until new stuff is out.
Q5. Would you rather travel to the past or to the future?
Past. Bridgerton!
Q6. What is your last Google search?
I already forgot!
Q7. What object do you misplace or lose the most?
Nothing, I am very organized. 😊
Q8. What is the kindest thing someone ever did for you?
This is a hard one, but I have been overwhelmed by the kindness of book people on social media since releasing my first book.
Q9. If given the chance to start your life over, would you take it?
No.
Q10. What is the best present you have ever received?
My kindle.
Q11. Describe your style in one word.
Happy.
Q12. If you were to devote the rest of your life to philanthropy, what cause would you choose?
Helping animals.
It’s time for a more detailed conversation, Cheryl.
You’ve answered our rapid fire brilliantly, Cheryl. Now, it’s time for our readers to know more about the person behind the book.
Q. There’s a grand stage surrounded by fifty thousand people listening to authors introducing themselves. They are bored and restless of listening to introductions all day. It’s your turn. How would you introduce yourself?
Did you love Hunger Games? Will you forever be an unashamed fan of Twilight? That’s me! And the teen reader I do my tiktok videos with too. We love YA, especially the ones that really blew up the genre. I write with the same vision in mind and early readers of all ages have been loving the start of my Five Senses Series about five sisters navigating deception, self-sacrifice and first loves.
Q. Well, that’s…new. So, what books did you grow up reading?
Everything! There wasn’t as much YA selection back then, but everything I could get my hands on from Jurassic Park to historical romance.
Q. Interesting. Has writing and publishing a book changed the way you see yourself?
Not really. But it was a lot harder than I imagined it would be. I’m proud of myself for seeing it through and continuing on the journey.
Q. Would you share something about yourself that your readers don’t know (yet)?
I love writing animal characters! They play a big part in my books, from dogs, to a bobcat, to snakes. I think they add a lovely dimension to stories and can help play off the romantic storyline and add some lighter moments.
Q. Now comes the most anticipated question that every author must answer. How do you process and deal with negative book reviews?
I sulk for a bit, then try to tell myself not everyone will love every book. I try to see if there is anything that could help improve my writing for the future.
Q. What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?
Ooh… tricky question. Usually a general sense of plot/what I envision for the story and then that helps flesh out the characters a bit and I keep bouncing back and forth between them when I outline.
Q. How do you develop your plot and characters?
I get an idea for the story, usually some mental images of scenes or characters. Start taking notes and brainstorm from there until I can flesh out a fuller outline and character sheets.
Q. What does literary success look like to you?
Reaching more readers who will hopefully enjoy the stories and characters I have created as much as I do.
Q. Let’s talk about your book. Tell us about it. No major spoilers.
TOUCH is the first book in the Five Senses Series. Cassie is found in a river with no memory. It’s a miracle she survives. But there’s nothing miraculous about her scars or the burning agony she feels at the simplest touch. Her new guardian, who she lovingly calls Gram, can’t hug her. If she had any friends, they couldn’t get close, either.
Seeking medical attention could rip her away from Gram and the only life she can remember. Which leaves Cassie to turn to the one person whose touch doesn’t burn her: Gabriel Knight.
In order to find the truth of her past and get a chance at love, Cassie must decide if she trusts Gabriel or instead believes the mysterious newcomer who has drifted into town. But with an ancient war between this world and the next looming, she must decide soon… before evil ravages her small town in irrevocable ways.
The series and adventure take off from here, with the next book, TASTE, featuring Cassie’s sister and a desperate cross-country search with a solider her sister is falling for but who may prove to be her most devastating enemy. TASTE releases Nov 2022!
Q. What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?
Introducing Cassie’s horrible condition at the beginning of the book was the hardest thing, for sure. Books like Shatter Me, which also feature an MC that has issues touching people, were nice comparison points.
Q. If you could meet your characters, what would you say to them?
I’d tell them to have a bit of fun when they can, since I put them in such awful situations in the books. I feel bad. 😉
Q. What is your writing process like? Are you more of a plotter or a pantser?
With the complexity of my 5 book series world (and a novella and standalone in the same world already planned), I am a plotter all the way! “Don’t be afraid to feel deeply. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Don’t deny who you are.”Cheryl Kahn, Touch.
Q. Let’s talk about the process of writing. When you’re writing an emotional or difficult scene, how do you set the mood?
Music. I even made a Spotify playlist for the series (available on my linktree) and have even more songs I’ll pull up depending on the mood I need.
Q. What has helped or hindered you most when writing a book?
Life. Things just happen and I have learned not to be too hard on myself when my writing plans don’t go the way I want. I try to keep a consistent schedule and if I get off track, I get back on track the next day.
Q. It’s been fun. Now, before we wrap this up, do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Revise. Revise. Revise. One of my editors told me early on that good writing is rewriting and I have really come to appreciate that over the years. The first draft will never be just the way you want it or just the way it should be. I think a lot of writers get self-conscious when their early drafts don’t live up to their hopes, but hire a good editor and put in the time, and it will all pay off with a book you’ll be proud of. 😊
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