K. M. Frost was brought up surrounded by books and imagination, and has loved stories of all kinds her whole life. She comes from a large, loving family which shaped her into who she is today.

K. M. Frost lives in Northern Utah, and is the author of the Reality Dreamers Trilogy.

K.M.Frost on the Web:
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An Interview with K.M. Frost

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer/ a storyteller?

I have always loved reading and good stories. When I was 10, my aunt (who was also my viola teacher) challenged me to write a short story. I thought it was a fun idea, so I wrote a 2-page fairytale complete with an evil witch, a dashing prince, and a brave and brilliant heroine. I had so much fun writing it, and I was convinced I’d poured every good idea I would ever have into it. Obviously, that wasn’t quite true, and the ideas haven’t stopped coming since. I’ve come a long way as a writer since that first 2-page story, but I still have just as much fun developing and writing new stories, worlds, and characters.

What inspires you to write?

The easier question is probably what DOESN’T inspire me. I get ideas and inspiration from pretty much everything: music, movies, books, traditions/fables, people… The list goes on and on. I keep a list of random thoughts, observations, lyrics, and ideas as they pop into my head or as I come across them, and many of them eventually transform into a new story.

How did you come up with the idea for this story?

I am one of those people who doesn’t really dream (or, at least, I don’t remember my dreams). But I’m also fascinated by dreams and the power of the human mind to create something so complex and convincing. I love hearing about people’s dreams and theories about how and why we dream, and all the possibilities about them. As I was pondering dreams one day, I got to wondering: What if multiple people had the same dream, and were actually able to interact in this dream? One thing led to another, and the Reality Dreamers Trilogy was born!

Are there some stories tucked away in some drawer that were written before and never saw the light of the day?

I have so many ideas and manuscripts in various stages of development, progress, and revision. Everything from dystopian to fantasy to contemporary to sci-fi to historical to paranormal! I just need to find the time to get them into the light.

Tell us about your writing process.

It depends on what I’m working on, but generally I jot down ideas/thoughts and let these kernels simmer until I have a foundation for a plot/world/character, and then I brainstorm to flesh it out and explore it. For the most part, I am a discovery writer, so I don’t plot out every step and detail of the story, I just have a vague idea of where I’m going, and I just start writing and see where it takes me. Some ideas need a little more structure, and for them I will create a timeline or bullet-point outline to help me see the big picture.

What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?

It’s hard to choose, but one of my favorites is when the Reality Dreamers meet Rogue. It’s our first time really exploring the Reality Dreams, and we’re beginning to understand what they are really like. And, of course, it’s fun to introduce Rogue, because I think he is a very interesting character and he brings a new perspective to the Reality Dreams, not to mention an undeniable degree of swagger and adventure.

Did any of your characters inherit some of your own quirks?

Leah definitely is the most like me--she says the things I sometimes can’t get away with, and writing about her was so much fun because I would just think “what would I want to say/do in this moment?” I think every character takes on a piece of the author, whether major or slight, but Leah definitely takes the cake in this story.

Do you read? Who are your favourite authors and how have they influenced your writing style?

I love reading! You will never find me without a book on hand, and though I don’t have nearly enough time to read as much as I want, I read as much as I can. It’s always so hard to list favorite authors, because there are so many I love, but some who influenced my middle-grade/young adult writing are Jennifer A. Nielson, Obert Skye, Brigid Kemmerer, and Garth Nix (and an honorable mention to the Percy Jackson series, which has the distinction of being one of my favorite series of all time!)
What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Just write. All the time, I talk to people who have ideas for a story or even started writing it, but for whatever reason never finished it. It can be a challenge to write, and intimidating to share your writing with others, you can encounter writer’s block and other hurdles to get past, but the best way to get started and reach the finish line is to just write.

What would be the Dream Cast for your book if it was to be turned into a movie?

Dream cast… That’s a hard one. My number one casting rule is that they have to be age appropriate. It drives me nuts when they get a 27-year-old to play a 15-year-old. I would also love to cast discovery actors who are just debuting, because I feel like it helps them capture the characters better, since they aren’t already known as something/someone else.

If you were to be stranded on the famous deserted island, what three things would you carry?

- My Kindle (easier to lug around than my physical library)
- My sister (sorry, dear! But if I’m stuck on a deserted island, you better believe you’re coming with me!)
- Solar-powered radio to call for a rescue (once I finally decide it’s time to rejoin society)

How do you spend your free time? Do you have a favorite place to go and unwind?

When I do have free time, I love to read, write, watch movies, and play my piano. My favorite place to unwind is home (especially the library where all my pretty books are).

Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

I’ve always wanted to go to Canada--especially Prince Edward Island (thank you, L. M. Montgomery!). I’ve also always wondered what it would be like to get all dressed up and go to ComicCon.

Tell us three fun facts about yourself.

- I was homeschooled from 1st grade to 12 grade.
- I am bilingual (English and Spanish)
- I design my own book covers and the interiors of my books

What do you have in store next for your readers?

I’ve taken a hiatus from publishing to focus on Dental Hygiene school, but I still write as often as I can. Some of my current projects are a contemporary YA romance about a boy with a colorful past who is sent to live with his grandparents on their small-town farm, and a YA fantasy about a prince who is framed for his father’s murder and has to clear his name while a fugitive in his own kingdom.

Fifteen-year-old Jonas Hartley shouldn’t be having nightmares anymore, but that doesn’t stop them from coming. Every night, the dreams get worse—until he meets the Reality Dreamers.
Normally, Jonas would avoid this strange trio of teenagers, but when he realizes one of them is a mysterious girl he’s seen in reality, he decides to stick around for a while, curious about what they’re doing in his dreams.
But curiosity isn’t always harmless.
The Reality Dreamers are hunted by dark beings called Entities, products of a dark world with many secrets. Too late, Jonas realizes he may have gotten himself into something much larger and much darker than he ever could have imagined...