K H Joy Profile

I’ve always loved to read and write, and my tastes in both range. I’ll read/write sci-fi, chick-lit, historical/period drama, fantasy, young adult and comedy amongst others. What I am most interested in, with both things, is a good story with memorable characters. My favourite parts in books are not necessarily plot related events, but moments where characters get to show off their personality, where we learn small, seemingly insignificant details that none-the-less make these fictional individuals seem as real to me as my actual, non-fictional friends. After all, a story is like one of those toys where you can mix the parts. Yes, you can make lots of variations, but there are only so many outcomes.

Don’t get me wrong – story is just as important as characters. It’s the most integral part. After all, you can’t make a story without, well ... a story. My point is, what makes the journey unique is who you’re travelling with. Sherlock Holmes has been re-imagined countless times, and each time alteration has affected the overall mood and feel. For example, I personally like Johnny Lee Miller’s Sherlock in Elementary. I like the spin on changing the gender of the characters – it puts a fantastic twist on Sherlock’s relationship with Moriarty, and the dynamic between Sherlock and Watson. It’s the same story, but the characters are different. Even the same story told from a different character’s perspective changes it altogether.

So, to make a long story short – I’m pro character.

As for my writing, I have struggled with it, wrestling with what I wanted to do. After all, I am interested in so many different genres. I have hopped and jumped from project to project. So, at the advice of a friend, I wrote what I would most like to read myself and incorporated the things I like and what I’m interested in. And you know what? It worked. Within six months, I had written 3 books, had the concept outlined, had character studies that would take an entire ream of office paper to print – in a word it was the most rejuvenating, creative experience of my life.

I suppose I should offer something personal about myself. I live with my husband, infant daughter and dog in England. Other than writing, I enjoy baking, gardening and sometimes binging on Netflix. I’m currently undertaking an undergraduate degree in Psychology. If it wasn’t obvious, some of my favourite books to read, regardless of genre, are serialised fiction. My favourites include the Broken Sky series by Chris Wooding and the Sweep series by Cate Tiernan. My favourite game of all time is Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (old school, I know). My favourite Final Fantasies are a too-close-to-call fight between IX and IV (although I LOVE Sephiroth – Cloud’s moping knocked it down from being a favourite). I also have a few characters in Warcraft, but I’m only a casual player.

I’m interested in mythology and quite fascinated by science. I don’t pretend to understand it all, but there are lots of aspects that intrigue me. Most recently I watched Cosmos, hosted by Neil Degrasse Tyson. I loved it so much I bought his book ‘Space Chronicles’. I highly recommend it.

I enjoy anime and manga – my favourites are Hellsing (more the manga than either anime they made), Noein, Souleater, Fruits Basket, Trigun, Full Metal Panic and my absolute favourite – Princess Mononoke. In fact I have loved 99.9% of the work Hayao Miyazaki has done.

I’m a fan of The Big Bang Theory (at least some of the earlier seasons – they seem to be losing their way), Star Trek (My favourite is Next Gen – sorry Original Series fans!), Frasier, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Downton Abbey and Perception. I’m also a massive Disney nerd – though more primarily Disney Pixar films. My current favourite Disney movie is Wreck it Ralph – I just love the concept and all the small details like Bad Anon!

What do I enjoy reading? Well, as you know, I’m willing to read a different genres, but there are certain things I tend to prefer. I’m not necessarily a huge fan of a love triangles, but as long as they’re not the main hinge of a story, I don’t mind. I love when certain concepts are re-imagined. Romeo and Juliet in space for example. I enjoy characters who are balanced – for example it’s all well and good having a strong female character (in any sense – physical or mental) but I find that other characters suffer for it – if she’s the strongest one there her ‘superiority’ becomes redundant. Or it becomes the only part of their personality. I like a book that has a memorable, perhaps funny moment, even if the book is generally quite sombre. I like characters with inside jokes, hilarious misunderstandings and deep and interesting back stories.

I suppose for now, that’s all you need to know, but I’m happy to answer any questions if anyone has some. I hope you enjoy what I put up. I know I enjoyed writing it.