I love these characters. Even the nefarious ones. So fleshing out the storyline and bringing them together came easily.
Lisa Diane Kastner – 3 October 2024
The Back Flap
The novel, Family Pack, written by Kali Metis (the pen name for Lisa Kastner) is the follow up novel to Cure and continues the tale of Luna Auber as she discovers her own destiny and provides the origins of the two primary lycanthropic organizations, The Lycanthrope Society (TLS) which believe that humans and lycanthropes should exist in harmony while The Righteous Group (TRG) believe that lycanthropes are intended to rule over all other species and Luna’s battle to prevent the decimation of the world as she knows it.
About the book
When did you start writing the book?
I did it on a dare by a well-known author. We were talking about different forms of writing and stories. He turned to me and challenged me to write a story that crossed multiple worlds and leveraged at least one historic figure in its telling. I immediately thought of the Birka because I had just read that after centuries of believing that Viking warriors were only men, they found out one of the most famous Viking warriors was a woman. This led to the creation of Cure which then led to the creation of Family Pack. Who knows what’s going to come next!
How long did it take you to write it?
Not including Cure, which is the precedent to Family Pack, it took me approximately 18 months to write it. I had the advantage of having written novels and novellas previously so I had a rhythm to it and I already had the concept figured out. I just needed to map it out, do some research, and start typing.
Where did you get the idea from?
We started with Cure which gave us the world. Once we had the world then it was more so telling the story of that world and the creatures in it. The history of the creatures and how they came to be, that’s the story of Family Pack.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
It was more so finding the right story for the characters and getting their stories on paper. Once I had their stories, then it was bringing them together and fighting for what they each believed in.
What came easily?
I love these characters. Even the nefarious ones. So fleshing out the storyline and bringing them together came easily. Every once in a while, finding reasons for them to have an exchange came forward but even then, it seemed natural.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
Yes, and yes. I’ve borrowed from historic figures and people-I-know and made them otherworldly (hence, fiction), and I’ve created fictitious characters that fit the story and who may appear again in future books.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, Toklein’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo, Ann Rice, Stephen King, far too many to count. All have incredible storytelling, imagery, characterization. I love it when I learn a new writing technique from the story or walk away saying, “How did she do that?” which makes me come back to learn more!
Do you have a target reader?
Adults age 23-58
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I typically come up with a concept and a vision of what I want the story to share. Then I may type out a few paragraphs to get the feel for the characters. Then I’ll start mapping out the outline so I can sense where they are going and what they will be doing. It also helps me better figure out any weak points or change any storyline that might not be working. Sometimes I share it with my editor to get his take, since he’s so familiar with the characters, he can give an educated insight into how he feels the latest story is working. And then after another round of revisions to the outline, I’ll start writing the book. Usually I can write around 800 – 1000 words a day so at that pace, I write a first draft in about five months because I typically go back and revise a section that I just wrote, typically the day or week after the initial draft (my books are usually around 70,000 – 90,000 words). Once done a completed first draft, then I’ll step back for a bit and then look at it with a fresh eye. After this is when my editor comes in and he can typically see the glaring issues within the text and help guide me to a resolution.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
My outlines tend to be a chapter header and then some bullet points that flesh out what needs to occur within the scene for the entire novel to work.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I edit as I go. I’m one of those annoying people who, once I step away, if there’s something not quite right then it bothers me until I go back and fix it. And if there’s something not quite right but I didn’t catch it the first time, I oftentimes go after it when I’m writing again the subsequent day.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
I get totally lost in the story so I don’t listen to music.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
Previous works, yes. This work, no.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
I know and trust this press and its editors. I know that they make sure this is the best work that they can find. At first, when I initially started submitting novels to agents for publication, I went the traditional route and sought out an editor and a big-name agent. But I didn’t find one that was a good fit. So, I started seeking out small and mid-sized presses including Running Wild Press. When I submitted under Running Wild, I did it under a pseudonym so the acquisition editors wouldn’t know it was me (I’m the founder of Running Wild). I wanted them to make decisions based purely on the writing and storytelling. When the time came to review submissions, they were all in agreement to pick up Kali Metis’ novel, Cure. And that started the escapade.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
We use Pulp Studios https://99designs.com/profiles/838738 We’ve been with them since nearly the beginning. Emir, the owner, is absolutely fantastic.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
We have a rather detailed marketing plan that I’m lucky enough to have Books Forward publicity manage. https://booksforward.com/
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Don’t give up. You have the skills, you have the ability, you have the might. Don’t give up.
Reach out to your favorite authors and find out how they started. Success leaves clues and they are just waiting for you.
About You
Where did you grow up?
Camden, NJ
Where do you live now?
Los Angeles, CA
What would you like readers to know about you?
Thank you for picking up Family Pack. The Pack thanks you.
What are you working on now?
We finished an anthology of short stories by a variety of authors, all in the world of Cure. Next will be a follow up to Family Pack, and then I’ll be writing the world of Cure in the structure of Dune. And that’s just the beginning…
End of Interview:
Get your copy of Family Pack from Amazon US or Amazon UK.