What genres do you write in? Include subgenres.
Young Adult Contemporary and Speculative Fiction
When did you start writing? What kickstarted this?
When I was in high school, I thought I wanted to be a writer/director/Special Effects Artist. I convinced my friends to help me make movies in my garage, which was a really fun thing to do as a teenager. Eventually, that passion for movies took me to the Filmmaking program at UCLA, where I studied screenwriting. After graduation, while I was still in my 20's, I didn't have the desire to sit in front of a computer all day, so I instead focused on Special Effects, and worked on many Creature/Special Effects Makeup films like Predator 2, and Edward Scissorhands. Eventually, Computer VFX came into vogue, and I retrained myself to do VFX work on a computer, which so fascinated me that I learned to sit in front of a computer all day.
I worked as a Computer Graphics artist for over 28 years, contributing to films such a Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Dark Knight Rises, Contact, and Ghost Rider. This career took me all over the world, which was an amazing journey giving me life experiences and my global outlook. I evolved my career again, joining the Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2013, where I contributed to many of their animated films like Frozen, Zootopia, and Big Hero Six. In 2016, I joined forces with a bunch of coworkers to create a short film, "Weeds." which traveled all around the world spreading it message of empathy for immigrants and people in need. This little film won awards all over the planet, was qualified for an Academy Award, and ended up showing on over 450 screens in North America. This experience reawakened the writer in me and I began writing screenplays again. I had such fun writing a screenplay called Ukrainian Summer, which is based on my years living in Europe, and time visiting Ukraine, that I decided to adapt it into a novel. And now I have my first Debut Novel written.
What's in your writing space?
I have a room at home that is kind of my "Inner Sanctum." I have a bunch of film memorabilia in it with models and 3D prints of different creatures I've built, and posters from films I've worked on over the years. I like my two screen setup, so I can have my outline on one screen and Scrivener up on the second screen. I remember reading an interview with the famous Western writer Louis L'Amour years ago, where he said he could write in the middle of a busy intersection. My ability to focus is good, and I can tune out most distractions, but he's got me beat. I don't know that I could do that.
What is something about you that makes you different?
I've done a lot of travel around the world and tend to think in a very Globally Inclusive Way, My writing reflects that with lots of characters discovering "found families" in different cultures. Also, because I have a background in film writing and production, I write in a very cinematic fashion. I basically write the movie I see playing in my head, and run it backwards and forwards till I get the words right.
Got a routine? How would you describe it?
Most days, I get up early, have a cup of coffee, and go to the gym. Afterward, I do a morning meditation and get to work on my computer. I love outlining my story extensively. It is the most fluid way to develop a story, and to discover weak areas, and problematic pacing. It also allows me to do my drafting non-linearly. I tend to write my beginning, scenes in middle that at fun, or ones that intrigue me to help me find the characters, and then I'll write my ending. I love writing the ending early, as it inspires me to finish the story and link it all together.
Any writing pet peeves?
My pet peeve is when I can quite land a story point, and I have to get it working. I surround myself with critical people I trust to tell me when it's not working, and I'm grateful to have them. We all need people to keep us honest.
Name the titles you've published.
Ukrainian Summer will be my Debut Novel, and am currently fielding representation.
For your new release...What are 5 reasons someone should read this book?
Ukrainian Summer is a beautiful escapist story about Liam, a Teenage Polyglot who can speak five languages but has a hard time connecting with people, so he embarks on a one-year language exchange to somewhere he thinks is about as far away as he can get - a fantasyland called Ukraine. Only as we see in the book it's a real place with wonderful people who help Liam to find himself. Many people had never heard of it prior to the war there, but the book introduces us to people and their culture. My hope is that people who read it will come away with a greater sense of how small our world is and the magic it holds for all of us.
Do you have any crazy quirks? Name them.
I can be a bit OC, but aren't most authors as we are working hard to manage around 100,000 words in a novel.
Your favorite book. Why is it your favorite?
My current favorite book is Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. Being a big computer geek and having worked during the independent gaming company days of the 90s, I so related to the characters in it and their passion for creating art. I even visited the Nezu Shrine in Tokyo on my recent trip to Japan as a result of reading this book.
Who is your favorite author?
I love John Green and have read most of his books. Such a great writer. Crisp clean prose. Efficient and transparent. Love love love.
You are in a room filled with inspiring writers. What would you tell them before they write their first book?
Research, Interview and Outline! Really brainstorm ideas. Speak the truth of your experience and don't be afraid of diving into difficult subject matter.
Your ideal audience. Who is she/he?
My ideal audience is made up of people who love travel and are seeking, as my character Petro in Ukrainian Summer says, "To make this world a more empathetic place for everyone, especially for people who are different."
Do you have a newsletter or website? Share it here.
I just started my own author website kevin-hudson-author.com. There is also a link on there to my film production website kevinhudsonproductions.com
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