Local author Kristin Kuffner has been building her creative career by following her passions: writing character-driven stories, designing cross-stitch patterns, and even venturing into podcasting. Recently, Kristin shared insights into her journey, self-publishing experiences, and current projects.
Kristin’s creative path began in the visual arts. During her time in high school, she was always found with a pen or pencil in hand, "I was always doing something." However, her focus eventually shifted towards writing. Recently culminating in the release of the definitive version of her debut novel, Binding Moonlight, A sci-fi fantasy book following a teenage girl who must thwart a government official’s sinister plan to use a virus cure for his own personal gain.
Kristin explained that while the novel is set in a futuristic world, it remains character-driven, exploring themes of found families coming together to overcome challenges. She’s already working on the sequel, with plans for its release soon.
Alongside her literary projects, Kristin is delving into the world of podcasts. She contributes as a scriptwriter to Villains with Vaughn. a YouTube podcast that delves into notorious and lesser-known criminal cases. Balancing novel writing with podcast scripting, she remains committed to creating content that both intrigues and informs.
Kristin’s writing journey initially took off in the realm of fan fiction, which she credits for honing her craft. While acknowledging fan fiction's mixed reputation, she believes it was a valuable tool for developing her writing skills. “I know the bad reputation it gets—believe me, I know,” she said. “But it helps hone your craft. You get to work with established characters and worlds... It’s great practice.” This approach allowed her to focus on mastering dialogue and descriptions without the pressure of creating an entirely new world.
Kristin has chosen to self-publish, and she appreciates the creative control it offers, "I've been doing this for 25 years at this point, and I'm self-published because, for one, I can retain all my rights, and my genre doesn't typically fit in with traditional publishers." However, she acknowledges the challenges, stressing the importance of collaborating with editors and beta readers to refine her work, "You can't do it all yourself," she advised.
She cautions that the road to publishing is not an easy one, emphasizing that achieving a polished final product requires persistence and passion. “If you have the drive to write, take the steps needed to bring your work to a level where it can be shared,” she said. Kristin's advice to aspiring writers is straightforward: focus on quality over quantity.
Kristin dismisses the idea of “aspiring” writers, urging anyone who puts pen to paper can confidently claim the title. “If you write, you’re a writer,” she asserted.
Kristin’s creative journey is far from over, with plans for more novels, podcast episodes, and art projects on the horizon. Whether she’s crafting tales in dystopian worlds or exploring true crime stories, her passion for storytelling continues to drive her work. Kristin's message is clear for those looking to break into the literary world: embrace your craft, hone your skills, and never underestimate the power of perseverance.
Don't forget to check out more of what Kristin does at Faierius' Fables & Flossworks!
You can pick up a copy of Binding Moonlight Online at Amazon.com as an ebook or paperback. Paperback copies are also being sold at the Kindersley & District Co-op grocery store.