You’ve written SF and fantasy for different age groups. How does writing for a particular audience change your approach to a story? Which comes first, the idea for the book or the audience you plan to write for?
So far, it’s always been the idea that comes first. And with the exception of the RoboTales books, I never had an idea come up for a specific age group other than teens.
With the Kinsman Chronicles, since it was for Bethany House, it was going to be published for adults. I remember giving my first few chapters to my agent for feedback, and she told me all my characters were teens and that I needed some older characters. That was hard for me. I was so used to writing teens, it was really all I wanted to write.
And I think this was confusing to my readers too. Many assumed that since I wrote the Kinsman Chronicles, they were for teens. They didn’t know Bethany House didn’t publish YA books. They just knew Jill has a new book.
My approach overall is if the story is for children or middle grade, there will be little to no romance subplot in the story and it will be more plot focused. If the story is for teens or adults, there will be some romance and the plots will include more on character growth.
How does your faith impact how you tell stories?
My stories will always end with hope because of the hope I have. I don’t mind writing about dark topics here and there, but I will always leave my readers with hope. Our world is obsessed with darkness—teen readers, especially—and I want to shine light into that darkness.
You teach about writing at Go Teen Writers. How does teaching writing affect how you approach writing your own fiction?
My answer is kind of backwards from the question. How I approach my fiction affects how I teach on Go Teen Writers. I’m the kind of person who learns something amazing and wants to share it with everyone yesterday.
As a writer, I’m always learning new things and trying them out in my own writing process to see how they fit. Whatever I learn, I share with Go Teen Writers because I know they are also refining their own writing processes.
What are the best things that readers can do to support their favorite authors?
The best things readers can do to support authors are to buy an author’s books new from the author or any store, to write book reviews and post them in several places, to encourage their local library to order the books, and to tell people about the author’s books whenever and however they can.
Visit Jill Williamson’s author page:
https://www.familyfiction.com/authors/jill-williamson
King’s War
The Kinsman Chronicles Book #3
Jill Williamson
Bethany House
One battle is over, but the war has just begun. They escaped the Five Realms and have found a home, but peace is much harder to find. The aftermath of the Battle of Sarikar should have been a time to mourn those lost in the slaughter. The enemies of Armania are many, however, and when one steps back to regroup, another surges forward in attack.
While the remnant must take responsibility for the evil they brought to Er’Rets, it would seem that something just as dark already existed in this new world. The growing struggle between Armania and Barthel Rogedoth is but a pale reflection of a far more dangerous battle for the souls of humanity.
And so begins this awe-inspiring conclusion to Jill Williamson’s Kinsman Chronicles. The Hadar family and their allies prepare to make one final stand in the name of Arman. There shall be war—in Er’Rets and in the Veil—to vanquish evil or be ruled by darkness.