Good morning to you all,
And another rainy Tuesday is upon us before we've even blinked! I'm not even going to touch on the subject of how close we are getting to Christmas! I don't even want to think about it right now!
Besides busying myself with getting my trilogy published, my days seem to be filled with chasing my young kitty, Ginny, around the house and trying to keep her out of the trouble she seems hell-bent on finding! Little demon, her claws are like little needles...and my arms and hands bear the scars!
Right, author interview time is here again and today we have young author, Kilayla Pilon from Canada!
Eva: Good Morning, Kilayla. Thank you for taking part today! Without further delay, start us off! Tell us all about yourself (as in, a bit of a biography).
Kilayla: Good Morning and everybody. I am author Kilayla Pilon. I have life experience of and have witnessed the impact untreated mental illness can have on everyone involved. I aim to speak of my own experiences to shed light on both the stigma still lurking in the minds of health care providers and offer hope to my readers. I have written three released poetry collections entitled WHEN I AM SOMEONE ELSE, SCARLET
CLOCK and THREAD AND TWINE. At fourteen, I wrote THE PROPHET'S DAUGHTER and in 2022, I released THE BURIED KING, a fantasy novel that shines light on surviving trauma and
the need for connection. Finally, in July of 2023, I released THREAD AND TWINE, a poetry book surrounding addiction and recovery.
I live with Dissociative Identity Disorder and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,
among others, and I hope to inspire others with my work that a life after trauma is possible.
How many books have you written up to now? Are they published or self-published? What
genre are they?
I have written seven novels, published SCARLET CLOCK and THREAD AND TWINE through
different publishers, and self published THE BURIED KING, THE PROPHET'S DAUGHTER and
WHEN I AM SOMEONE ELSE. TBK and TPD are fiction novels - TBK a young adult fantasy
while TPD is a post apocalyptic novel.
Of all the genres there are, is there any genre/s that you feel you wouldn’t be able to write and
why? Is there any genre that you really wish you could write, but feel you wouldn’t be able to
do it justice?
I wish I could write romance as that seems to be a very popular genre but it's just out of my scope. I
have limited experience with romance and relationships. In my newest upcoming novel I have
attempted to incorporate some mild romance - hopefully I have done well!
Do you have any favourite ‘out-of-the-ordinary’ words that you like to use in your books?
What are those words? Also, what words used by other authors irritate you more than they
should?
I absolutely love the word dismal. I hate the word business because of the way it is spelled.
Do you sing at all, be it karaoke, in a choir or have done so professionally? Whether you have
or not, have you ever written (or had the urge to write) any song lyrics? Have those lyrics
been used at all?
I have written song lyrics but I do not sing! I sound like a walrus when I sing!
What question would you like to pose, (if you were to ever interview your favourite author),
which never seems to get asked in author interviews? And who is that favourite author?
To any of my favourite authors, I would like to know the thought behind character names! For example, why was Katniss named Katniss, or from Graceling, why was Katsa named Katsa?
If you were to ever write a children’s book, (and those of you who already do) would you/do
you do the illustrating yourself, make use of a family member or friend’s talent or pay an
illustrator? Do you solely write or do you have any other creative pursuits?
I have written a children's book but I have been lazy in illustrating the pages.
Of all the characters you have created, who is your favourite? And why?
I really enjoy the new main character in my new novel, though I also loved writing Ash and his
loyalty in The Buried King.
Have you ever killed off a character in your books (I’m sure you have)? If so, was it
because…it fitted nicely into the storyline? OR…Did you start to really dislike the character
and, with too much work involved to re-write without that character, think it the easiest
option to have that person die?
The death of the character had to occur to further the story.
Are any of your characters based on family members or friends? Have you kept their
characters totally true to life or have you given them bonus traits that you wish they
possessed in real life?
Nope! They just come from somewhere in my mind and I try to write them as individual as possible.
Relationships/family life aside, what are your TWO main regrets in life?
Publishing SCARLET CLOCK with the publisher that published it, and my biggest regret is self
harming.
What was your passion as a child? Did that passion stay with you during your adult life OR
did you, as you grew up begin to detest what you once enjoyed?
Reading and writing has always been a major joy for me and my life. I have never lost my love for
creativity, though I find reading to be more difficult because I compare my work to their work. (Eva: Don't ever compare yourself to others Kilayla. You are unique, remember that and as a result your work in itself is unique!)
What was your best subject throughout your school years? And your worst?
English! Math was my worst.
Tell me about your favourite teacher throughout your school years? Was it a crush you had?
Were they just an excellent teacher of your favourite subject?? Or some other reason…kind,
fun, generous…?
I had a teacher who helped me survive high school and helped me through many years of trauma and
abuse. She saved my life and I will always be grateful to her.
Did either of your parents ever express a wish to write? Are they supportive and proud of
your work? Or do they just choose to not get involved, but they are pleased for you?
My Mum likes to write! She's very proud of me and speaks quite highly of my work.
Tell us about your ultimate ambition, be it personal, travel, writing, work, hobby related or
other?
My dream is to one day find a copy of my book, worn and loved in a thrift store. My next dream is to
visit the black sand beaches and hot springs in Ireland.
Do you have any phobias and if so, what are they? Have you ever conquered any phobia and
if so, how did you do it?
I am terrified of heights. I used to be terrified of bees and sharks but over time I have grown less
fearful of them. I don't think I did it intentionally, I just did.
Most people I know are not happy with something physical about themselves (face/body
etc.,) but if you could change anything about your personality, what would you wish to
change?
My patience. I am not a very patient person and I wish I was.
What is your ‘go to’ snack, whatever the time of day? And drink of your choice?
My go to snack changes. Right now it's Ketchup chips. My all time favourite drink is Brisk
lemonade.
Cats or dogs? What do you have? Do you introduce any pets into your books?
I have two cats! I love dogs but they're too high maintenance.
AND FINALLY, Hit me up with all your Amazon book-links? And the links to your website and
social media profiles?
Instagram: @KILAYLAX
Tiktok: @KILAYLAXO
https://a.co/d/3oeNlkQ
https://a.co/d/7vFlQW3
https://a.co/d/gROQi9l
https://a.co/d/7L7CQEf
Thank you once again Kilayla and I am proud to have had you as one of my interviewees. I feel humbled!
Next up on Friday we have author, Pam C Golden!
That's all for today peeps!
Namaste
XXX
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