Wattpad Block Party Author: RSKovach

Interview:

So what can we look forward to from you on this year's Block Party?

For the Summer Block Party, I've rewritten Chapter 2 of THE PIRATE KING AND I from Captain Kincade's perspective, giving more insight into the first meeting between him and protagonist Ana.

You are very well-traveled. How has this influenced your writing?

Although I don't agree with the statement 'write what you know,' having experienced different cultures first-hand does significantly expand what you can later draw inspiration from. I've been fortunate enough to have lived and worked for extended periods of time not only in the US, but also in Europe and the Middle East. I love putting not only these locations, but also their histories and achievements into my stories. It adds a layer of diversity that hopefully makes my writing somewhat unique.

Do you think it is possible to write an accurate description of an area, or region without having visited it yourself?

In this age of mass access to information, there's no reason a writer can't accurately portray a foreign land without ever being there. But thorough research isn't enough. You can't just drop in facts from Wikipedia. A good writer will need to make the reader feel like he's in that place, and to do that, you'll need to create the proper atmosphere. Even if you've never been to a Caribbean island, if you've been to the beach at the Jersey Shore you can describe the feeling of sand between your toes or the smell of the salty air. It's the little, personal details that can really transport you anywhere in the world!

Evast ye matey. Let's talk pirates! Choose one from each line: Historical, or literary? Historical, of course!

Privateer, or Pirate? Privateers get to legally plunder for booty, so they have the best of both worlds, right?

Venetian, or English? 

Ooh, now these are getting tough! I would say Venetian for almost any other topic, but if we're talking about rogue sailors, I'm going to have to go with that irresistible English accent!

Mary Reed, or Anne Bonny? 

Well, Anne Bonny didn't die pregnant in a Jamaican prison from a violent fever, so I guess her?

Flogging, or walking the plank? 

Can I pick neither? I promise to behave!

OK, but only this time. How about this: Black Beard, or Calico Jack? 

Hands down, Blackbeard.

You have a dark side sister! Why do you think people are so drawn to danger? 

A dark side? Oh, no! What gave you that impression? At any rate – and not to get too philosophical – but darkness is a part of life. For example, I included an attempted rape scene in my historical adventure because that was just a realistic situation a lone woman on a ship full of pirates would have experienced.

And while I do really enjoy lighthearted, romantic scenes, I also try to write in many genres because it keeps things interesting. It's one of the reasons I accepted The Gallows challenge to write a short story based on an original urban legend. That's also probably why people are drawn to danger: reading about dangerous things is a safe way to experience a thrill without actually putting yourself in harm's way.

Speaking of dark sides, you were picked for Margaret Atwood's Wattpad reading list! Tell us how that happened. 

Honestly? I have no idea! My sci-fi adventure VANGUARD was put on the MaddAddam Dystopian/Speculative fiction list when Ms. Atwood was releasing that work. I didn't even find out about it until one of my readers pointed it out. It's a huge honor to be on any official Wattpad reading list (which several of my other books also hold), but this was especially nice. Unfortunately, readers won't find this particular book among my works on Wattpad at the moment because I've moved it into draft form. Don't worry, at some point I'm going to make the necessary edits and plan to bring it back.

Who are your literary influences? 

Most people would probably say something very high-brow for this, but I grew up on Grimm fairy tales, Agatha Christie mysteries, and Harlequin romances. Sure, Shakespeare is important, but I'd rather watch Ten Things I Hate About You than read Taming of the Shrew. Bram Stoker's Dracula is probably the only true, literary classic that I've read multiple times out of enjoyment. And I can quote The Princess Bride. That counts, right?

What is the best piece of writing advice you have received? Care to give credit? 

There's so much great advice out there – some from professional, published authors and others from struggling writers. One thing to remember is that not everything works for everyone, but listen to everything and then filter it for what makes sense to you. One thing I like to keep in mind is from Toni Morrison (at least according to the Internet and the Internet is never wrong): write what you want to read. This is critical because as the author, you're going to read your book dozens of times and if you don't like it, how do you expect your readers to?

Thank you Rita!