Welcome to Author Kate Fuentes
I'm an author constructing a young adult fantasy series called Elements. My debut novel, Elements:The Beginning, was released in 2011. I have followed with Elements: Veil of Darkness and book three, Elements: Kingdom of Aqueous in 2012. I plan to finish the saga with a fourth book and possibly a fifth, depending on the reaction from the readers.
I am quite passionate about writing, but I also enjoy helping those that are underprivileged, forgotten, and oppressed by working in a global reach department during the week in the hopes that it may bring attention to the causes which will, in effect, inspire others to volunteer or champion for those less fortunate locally and around the world. I like to meet people from diverse cultures and backgrounds and hope to one day travel to various locations and countries to volunteer in different areas there as well.
I, like so many of my author counterparts, aspire to create more books and characters for my readers to enjoy. I have two projects currently in the beginning phases of conception and process. Research and development is one of my favorite aspects of writing along with the actual creation of the story from imagination to the novel itself.
On a personal note, I'm happily married to my junior high sweetheart and we have two amazing children together. We appreciate our time spent with one another and always make sure we set aside a day for family fun night. We love to travel and encounter different walks of life both in rural nature and urban settings.
http://katefuentes.com/
Interview
If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?
I would travel back into the past because it would feel like cheating if I traveled into the future. If you were to go back, you could experience what has already occurred, instead of something that has yet to take place... I would rather be surprised than to know what was to be. I like the double edged sword of the past, meaning I like how people from long ago had an innocence about them, but also had the fight to survive. A toughness and determination that seems to be lacking in a society where everything comes so easily, i.e. telecommunications, food, technology, information, etc. I'm a foolish romantic.
What is one book everyone should read?
Everyone should read Ferdinand the Bull by Munro Leaf. It's a children's book and it teaches people to appreciate the differences in each individual. It can show children to be accepting and tolerant of others.
If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
Teleportation! That would be amazing to travel whenever, and wherever you wanted to go within seconds. To experience the sunrise in one part of the world and teleport to a sunset in another part of the globe in a matter of minutes.
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Rocky Road of course! Is there in other flavor?
Pet Peeves?
Unpainted toe nails... it drives me insane. Obviously, I'm speaking about the female gender, it doesn't bother me when men don't have their toenails painted...lol.
Any other books in the works?
Yes... I'm currently finishing up my third book in the ELEMENTS series, Kingdom of Aqueous. I plan to write a fourth book in the series, with a possibility of a fifth. After I have completed ELEMENTS I plan to begin another YA series with a female lead and plan to create a dystopian young adult novel this time around.
What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?
I got hooked on Greek Mythology when I was in third grade. My older sister was studying the genre in school and used to read the stories to me before we would go to bed. I then began to search out my own Greek Myths to read when we visited the library every weekend and would sit by the ginormous fish tank in the children's section and read about Greek Gods and heroes while the bubbling from the filter sounded in the background.
What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
Stay true to yourself and don't ever give up on your dream to create new forms of literature and stories for others to enjoy. Have faith in yourself, even if it feels like you're the only one, eventually, others will see the artist inside of you.
If you could be one of the Greek Gods, which would it be and why?
Athena, goddess of wisdom, warfare, battle strategy, heroic endeavour, handicrafts and reason. I tend to be in the athletic category and like to experience the outdoors so I associate with her character more than I would the others. I like intrigue and strategic scenarios that make me ponder and think, but I would want to carry a bow and quiver of arrows like Artemis, goddess of the hunt. I've always wanted to have a bow and arrow set of my own.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
I like living on the west coast of the States where the weather is calm and stays relatively the same throughout the year. I'm quite happy to live where I'm at now, but I enjoy traveling and would LOVE to visit Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Scotland, Spain, Australia... the list goes on and on...
When you were little, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?
I wanted to be a photographer/veterinarian.... at the same time. I wanted to be the first veterinarian to have a medical facility whilst taking amazing photos of your recovering animals. I had quite the imagination. Eventually, once I reached college and majored in marketing and advertising, I realized this adventure wouldn't work.
If a movie was made about your life, who would you want to play the lead role and why?
I would want Julia Roberts to play my life... not because I look like her or act like her, but because I like her genuine laugh and her contagious smile. Who wouldn't want Julia to play them? Maybe Jennifer Aniston... they both seem like down to earth people and I like that quality in others. I don't do well with pretentious people... be yourself, even if you're not a likeable individual, at least you will have the quality of honesty that others will be able to appreciate. Always find a positive, even if most of it is negative!
How did you know you should become an author?
It's not something I can pinpoint precisely, more like following my dream and being determined to finish what I started. I made a goal for myself and stuck with it to demonstrate to my children the importance of completing the task at hand and continuing what I set out to do, regardless of the backlash of critics and people who thought I was crazy for starting a career in my thirties, especially a career that is so difficult to break in to. I adore the feeling of euphoria when I'm lost inside my thoughts and I'm creating a world of fantasy. It is calming and exciting at the same time. Those feelings along with the feeling of inspiration keeps me going and fuels my intensity to continue writing novels, if for nothing else, at least I can say I made an impact on the lives of my children and taught them to follow their own aspirations.
Can you see yourself in any of your characters?
I put bits and pieces of myself throughout the stories I create and only those who are closest to me pick up on the characteristics entwined throughout my books. When I mention a part of me, it's not necessarily myself, but those around me as well like my children, close family members, friends, pets, etc.
Hidden talent?
Although this might not seem to be a hidden talent, it's the only thing I can come up with... I can shape my tongue into a three leaf clover without using my hands. I know, fascinating isn't it? I warned you...
If you were a bird, which one would you be?
A pterodactyl? I've never been known to be graceful or beautiful, especially in motion. So I will go with the most hideous, prehistoric bird I can think of. They were known to be a little meaty and muscular, so this seems to fit my body structure. I seem to have been blessed with man shoulders, even though I am clearly a girl. This makes wearing a strapless dress a little uncomfortable for everyone...
If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
I'd have to say 'Crazytown'. I can be a little different and quirky, depending on the mood I'm in. I've never been the one to go with the flow and I go out of my way to go against the current. I'm a bit of a maverick and I love every stinkin minute of it. I like to make people raise their eyebrows and scratch their heads wondering who the crazy, pintsized lady bouncing down the street in an orange tutu on a Tuesday morning is.
Give us a glimpse into a typical day in your day starting when you wake up till you lie down again.
Well, if you want to be lulled asleep, then I shall tell you me daily routine... First part of the day I am awakened at the crack of dawn, before the sun even arises by my 4 month old puppy and the 13 month old jouvenile dog who insist on going to the restroom before the light of day makes its appearance. Why, you might ask, I'm still not sure myself. I drag myself out of bed, because no one else will, and let the maniacs out to relieve themselves. By this point, it would be insanity to try and go back to sleep so I lay in bed and think about what I have to do that day. By 6:15 I'm up and moving, getting ready, picking out my outfit for the day, dragging the kids out of bed, fixing breakfast, making lunches, kissing my husband goodbye while he leaves for work, wrestling with the dogs... again, this time on the way to the garage to get their food. Rushing out of the door to get the kids to school, dropping them off, at separate schools of course, and breaking the land speed record to get to work. I have a day job during the week where I work in the global reach department, a job that creates many opportunites to help those either locally or globally who are in need. I coordinate events such as backpack drives to help students who can't afford school supplies, Thanksgiving Reach for people who are having trouble getting groceries during the holidays, AIDS walk to draw awareness to others about the terrible disease that aflflicts so many people, a biannual event for our community that encourages volunteers to give back in a practical way, as well as global efforts to help those in need. After work, I'm generally dodging traffic to pick up the kids for different sporting events throughout the year, heading to practice, running to games and events. We scurry home to get the kids in the shower, while I make dinner and we check homework assignments. Sit down around the table, talk about our day, clean up dinner and take a few minutes to breathe before the kids crash in bed and start all over again the next day. My husband and myself spend about an hour talking to one another before he heads to bed and I stay up to write until about 2 or 2:30am, then I manuever my way into the covers, past the sprawling dogs and the diagonal sleeping position of my husband to find 3 or 4 hours of rest... if I'm lucky, before the dogs awaken. The day in the life of a moonlighting author, typical mother and wife, carpooler, average everyday American career women/mom/spouse... phew!
What's your favorite season/weather?
SUMMERTIME! I LOVE the heat and loathe the cold. I do not like snow, frost, freeze, sleet or crisp mornings. I am all for the heat of summer, splashing in the water, heading to the beach, camping under the stars, wearing flip-flops, eating popsicles, having BBQ's, and making lasting memories with my family outdoors in the summer! Good times!
Favorite smell?
I have several... lavender, vanilla, freshly baked cookies, fried chicken, homemade bread, Tide detergent, leather, new tires, fresh cut grass, almond blossoms, cow manure... yes, you read it correctly, it's a country thing... baby powder, puppy breath, BBQ, the ocean breeze anytime of the year and mountain pine trees during the fall.
Elements: The Beginning
Destiny brought them into this world to save mankind and malevolent forces will stop at nothing in order to annihilate them.
Born with extraordinary powers, fraternal twins Gage and Talon Thorn learn how to control their mystical abilities. Tragedy strikes the family and their ordinary father Gable is forced to raise them on his own. Pain and loss encompass the Thorns as they persevere to live a normal life in a place determined to destroy their happiness.
Soon their incredible gifts need proper nurturing and Gable recruits a special group of people to help in their upbringing. A sassy, tenacious nanny named Leia and an eccentric unorthodox warrior named Maui complete the dream team of mentors to aid in the complexity of their lives.
The brothers are determined to protect the family that has sacrificed so much for their sake. Evil, wicked forces lurk in the shadows and the boys are in danger if they don’t learn how to control their unique talents. Humanity rests in the hands of the young brothers as they embark on an epic adventure to save mankind from the dark Emperor.
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