Writer of the Week: Kalob Dàniel

Hello everyone! Thanks for joining us this week as we get to know more about Kalob Dàniel. Kalob Dàniel is a gay author and reader of queer stories. He lives in Kansas City, Missouri, where he watches re-runs of Schitt's Creek with his Shihpoo, Jefferson. His day job is in hospitality management (something has to fund his dream of a rainbow Beauty and the Beast library); but, his passion lies in accurate, positive queer representation in all facets for every member of the alphabet mafia. His novels include The Faerie Tale Saga and This I Promise You.

Every other week, BrightStar Publishing will highlight a queer writer in an interview style. We'll all get to know a little more about them and what they're working on. Join us every other Monday to help uplift and support fellow writers.

So without further-ado, please welcome Kalob Dàniel!

Plot or characters first? And why? Oh, most definitely characters first. I have ideas for plots in a general sense, but I feel like the characters give birth to the story. Like they're telling me what their story is. With strong, deep, well-rounded characters, I truly feel like the story writes itself.

What is your favorite part about writing?

My favorite part is when things start to come together. After planing and plotting and thinking so much about everything, it's incredibly fulfilling when I can look back on what's been written and see all that work finally accumulate into something tangible.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

My realization came over a long period of time. I want to say, like, a full decade of this and that and going back and forth. I was a writer for my school newspaper column during my senior year of high school. I loved it, but it wasn't until Christmas 2018 when I was reminiscing through my old articles that I got the idea to write a book. I had thoughts about being an author over the years, but nothing substantial until that Christmas.

How do you deal with writer's block?

Hell, how does anyone deal with writer's block? It's the worst. When it happens to me, I think I work through it best by just taking a step back. Maybe read something that's not my work and just clear the fog in my mind until I'm ready to begin again. I find that when I truly plan everything, like, plan chapter by chapter before I start writing, then I avoid potential writer's block. I mean, if I know what I want to write about beforehand then there's no reason to hit a wall. "Plan for the end at the beginning" has always been my motto. That and fast drafting (which, I've discovered, is my preferred way of writing) doesn't give you time to get writer's block. Just go, go, go and edit it later.

What is the most important thing in your writing? Telling a good story, characters, plot, representation, fun, etc.

Can I say all of the above? LOL! I mean, it's everything, all of it is important. Each of those components makes up your entire story, right? Without one, your story could suffer. Though, I do believe that representation is something I've always been extremely aware of in my writing. It helps me understand my characters, it helps readers connect to those characters, and it helps the characters, themselves, provide depth to an otherwise basic and boring world.

What do you have out/published already?

Nothing yet. However, my debut self-published queer young adult fantasy novel, Sthier Laithe and the Jungle of Aundrayiah, will be available on August 16, 2022. And then, in Fall 2022 my contemporary new adult novel, This I Promise You, which I've co-authored with Jordon Greene, will be available. 2022 is going to be a great year!

What are you currently working on?

Currently, I am working on the sequel to my queer YA fantasy. It's a five-book series so I have lots to do! An artist never sleeps.

Best advice to give someone who wants to start writing?

Just do it. Like, for real. Just go! Don't worry about whether it's good or not. If you love and believe and have faith in your idea then just do it, write. Every single one of my first drafts was complete trash. Then, through edits and revisions and work, work, work, you can turn the first draft into a best seller. IF you have something to work with that is. So, you have to just write.

Where can people find you on social media?

Instagram, Twitter, TikTok: @bookishshiz

Thank you for taking the time to read about Kalob Dàniel! It means a lot to us that we uplift and support queer writers. Definitely reach out to the writer if you want to talk or learn more about them and their craft! Again, thank you, and see you every other Monday with a new writer of the week! :)

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