Bookpleasures.com welcomesas our guest Karlianna Voncil.  Karlianna has recently published Led Astray: A Crime Thriller, which is the first in a trilogy titled The Avia Chronicles.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Texas Tech University, as well as a Master of Arts in Education from West Texas A&M University. For the past four years she has been a public school English teacher, and is now pursuing teaching at the college level, as well as gearing up for her final bout of education–pursuing a doctoral degree.

Norm: Good day Karlianna and thanks for participating in our interview.

How long have you been writing? Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?

Karlianna: I have been writing since I was about 9 years old. Anything and everything—poems, short stories, keeping a journal, even playwriting.

I have always felt like writing was what I was supposed to do, and I have found that the more I write the more I enjoy it and the more ideas I discover that I was to pursue.

As far as a message or theme to my writing, I have once preference to my writing in terms of characterization: my protagonists are usually always female, as that is what’s easily accessible and relatable to me. I also always try to feature the Texas Panhandle in my writing, because I have grown up here and it’s an environment rich with possibility.

Norm: Are you a full-time or part-time writer? How does that affect your writing?

Karlianna: I work full-time as a background investigator, so right now I am writing part time and dedicating as much time as I can each week towards writing my second novel and promoting my debut.

I wish that I was able to devote more time solely to my writing, but as a relatively unknown writer new to the profession, it will take some time for me to build a readership and brand awareness. Until I have that, I will use my experiences to further enrich my stories.

Norm: What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had received, or that you wished you would have listened to?

Karlianna: Probably the best advice I can give is the same thing I always heard when I was looking for a publisher: do not give up, and do not remain idle.

Yes, you may have to reapply and send query after query, and when you finally do get an opportunity to have your work promoted or published, it may not be as you expected it. Good things come to those who are determined, persistent, and have a good work ethic. And while you’re waiting to get something submitted, keep writing; it will help you remember why you’re doing this in the first place.

Norm: In your opinion, what is the most difficult part of the writing process?

Karlianna: I think that committing to a project from beginning to end is the hardest part about writing. At least, that’s been my experience. There have been many times when I thought I had a great idea, and for one reason or another (many of them excuses) I just couldn’t get my concept completed. That’s why, to me, there’s nothing quite like the feeling you get when you have finally written that last word of your novel.

Norm: What has been your greatest challenge (professionally) that you’ve overcome in getting to where you’re at today?

Karlianna: Finding my publisher and signing my contract has been my greatest professional challenge to date. I searched for a publisher for two years before I was fortunate enough to find TCK Publishing.

I had worked on Led Astray for four years prior to that, and I knew if I could just find the right person at the right time, I could get this story out to an audience. However, now that that challenge has been met, now I am on to the real work: building a readership base for this story, and the sequels to come.

Norm: Do you write more by logic or intuition, or some combination of the two? Please summarize your writing process.

Karlianna: I write by feeling mostly. I had great teachers in college who taught me the mechanics of creative writing but also gave me the confidence I needed to say what I want, and I have taken that feeling and run with it ever since.

Norm: Could you tell our readers a little about Led Astray: A Crime Thriller?

Karlianna: Of course. Led Astray is a story about a young woman who is originally introduced to the readers as a possible witness to the events that lead to the death of sixteen-year-old Emily Burns. When the detectives interview this girl, however, they realize there is a much darker truth that changes their perception of their case.

The story is told through extended flashbacks and should provide readers with enough suspense and action to keep them entertained from beginning to end.

Norm: How did you become involved with the subject or theme of your book?

Karlianna: A lot of characters are based on people I grew up with, and the setting of the story is set in the Texas Panhandle—where I was born and raised, and still live today.

Norm: Which character was the easiest to write? Most difficult?  As a follow up, what do you believe defines a character? 

Karlianna: Probably the easiest character to write was my murder victim, Emily Burns. The hardest character was my main antagonist; incidentally, she was also the most fun character to write, and hopefully shows a whole range of emotions and motives that readers will be able to sympathize with as much as they oppose her.

If I had to define what makes a good character, I would say that a good character is one the readers can see a bit of themselves in them. That way the audience becomes more invested in the plot and the characters.

Norm: How did you know when to stop revising the novel?

Karlianna: When there was absolutely nothing left I could add to the story to give it additional value, then I knew the writing and revising was finished.

Norm: What was the most difficult part of writing this book?

Karlianna: Trying to write full time while working and going to school full time was a real struggle, and that’s why it took me four years to finish the project and move on to find a publisher. It was worth it, however, to finally be able to hold the finished product in my hands.

Norm: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

Karlianna: I have loved growing up in the Panhandle, and I feel like the area isn’t characterized enough for how beautiful the landscape is and how strong the people are.

My favorite aspect of Led Astray is that I was able to feature my hometown in my own story.

Norm: Where can our readers find out more about you and Led Astray: A Crime Thriller?

Karlianna: I can be reached at MY WEBSITE , and I have an author’s page on Facebook; Led Astray is listed on Goodreads, and a portion of the story is on Wattpad.com.  

In addition, Led Astray is available on Amazon and Barnesandnoble.com in both paperback and ebook.

Norm: What do your plans for future projects include?

Karlianna: I am working on a sequel to Led Astray, and hopefully it will be ready for editing by the fall. I am also working on screenwriting and building a readership.

Norm: As this interview comes to an end, what question do you wish that someone would ask about your book, but nobody has?

Karlianna: The one question I have never been asked is how much of Led Astray is based on actual events.

Norm: Thanks once again and good luck with all your future endeavors.