At the time of writing this I'm a student and writer, working my way towards finding a place of my own in the world. I'm based on the little island of Malta, balancing all the different aspects of my life through a hectic schedule. I started out writing short stories, just for myself, and then began writing lyrics for a band that I was part of for years. As I became a bit more confident I wrote fanfiction on popular website www.fanfiction.net but always kept my original works entirely to myself. 2012 has started, making it about 10 years now since I first started writing, and I'm ready to take on new challenges as an author. In June I began self-publishing, slowly trying to bring myself out of my shell.
Do you plan everything or just let the story flow?
I usually have an outline but otherwise I just let things flow. Although a lot will be planned since I would have spent plenty of time with the story just floating about in my head, when I come down to writing it certain things change. I'm not opposed to those changes in any way so it's safe to say I just let the story flow as it wishes.
Do your characters ever want to take over the story?
This is actually why I tend to let my stories flow naturally. Most of them are quite character-driven and I learn new things about my characters along the way so I can never be certain where a story is going to lead until I write it.
What drew you to the M/M genre in particular?
I wouldn't say it was something in particular really. I've been writing romance and stories about all kinds of relationships for a very long time and, with the open mind that I have, it was only natural that characters would feel comfortable enough to fall in love with whomever they desired. All it really takes is for my character to decide who he's attracted to and I'll have no problem writing it.
Do you write in other genres besides M/M?
I write numerous genres; the more I get to experiment with the better. Something I love is that M/M can happen in any setting and can be made interesting because each time and location has its own views towards it that can add conflict to the story. But like I said, since the characters tend to develop by themselves and run the story themselves I don't always know I'm going to write M/M until it's been done.
What is your favourite food?
Anything super spicy but flavourful; stuff like spicy pizza and Indian food.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Definitely a night owl. Most of the time, especially in the Summer months, my bed time is around the time I see the sun beginning to rise.
Where do you dream of travelling to and why?
Japan and places with cooler weather, such as England. The cloudy, somewhat gloomy, weather of England is just so cosy to me. Whether it's being inside with a hot drink and a good book or if I'm out running errands, that type of atmosphere is really pleasant to me. As for Japan, I love the fashion, the people, the language, the music and the history; if possible I would visit Japan often.
Do distant places feature in your books?
Looking back, I think that Secrets Clad in Light is the first time that I was actually specific about a place at all. Otherwise I tend to avoid setting the book in a particular country; I feel I have more freedom and can develop the setting more. In the case of the novel Butterfly quite some serious accusations are made about the manner in which the children are kept and what is done to them and I feel like by not specifying a country or a place I can avoid giving anyone the impression that I think such occurrences could occur in that country. For me, there's great appeal in avoiding stating a place or inventing a place; like this, I can be most honest about something that can truthfully happen anywhere, without getting into anyone's head that I believe these things only happen in the place the story is set.
Do you listen to music while writing?
I love to listen to music particularly while writing. I often pick things out of my play list that best suit the scene I'm writing, the feelings of the characters or the setting.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
Butterfly is the first novel in the Forgotten Children series; each book follows a different child, or children, all of whom are tied together by their background. In Butterfly, an Abbey full of children has burnt down; some are hurt and linger around the site, watching as all they've ever known comes crashing down, while others run as fast as they can from a life they long to leave behind.
Anything you would say to those just starting out in the craft?
It may sound corny, it may be a cliché but just write what you love and write from the heart; you'll probably never succeed more at anything than the things you love. If you love something, let that love push you to make yourself better.
Blurb of your latest release:
Butterfly
Ellis McGowan, a child psychiatrist, thought he had seen and heard it all, especially with a wife, Jodie, in the same emotionally-draining profession. When the fire and collapse of an Abbey in the vicinity of their home leaves traumatised children of all ages displaced Ellis is ready to help in any way he can. Soon enough, he finds that everything is not as they imagined; more children than what were originally documented escaped from that building, many with no traceable origins and Ellis needs to find out why, prepared to go to great lengths to do so.
Zack and Alex, the eldest known survivors, soon find themselves in an environment radically different from what they are used to. In a warm, inviting household and faced with a real family the two aren't sure how to handle things but are certain they will never be able to tell others what went on in their pasts.
Unwilling to lose all faith in the system, and his profession, Ellis is determined to get answers out of the boys to save them, and the others, from the torture they have been subjected to, even while knowing that the Abbey walls were easier to knock down than the ones that had formed around their hearts.
List of previous books
Despair & Decision
Lady in Red
Ordinary
Secrets Clad in Light
Any websites/places readers can find you on the web
Blog: http://kyralyrical.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kyra_lyrical
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyralyrical
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6444174.Kyra_Gregory
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