Interview by Angie Taylor

Thank you, Chris Bostic, for being a part of this week’s BOD author spotlight interview. It’s a great opportunity for everyone to get to know you as a writer and fellow member.

It sure is. It’s a huge pleasure to be here. I’ve been watching the group grow from the very beginning, and it’s amazing how large BOD has become.

I’m thrilled to share a few words about me. Especially since I hate talking about myself without being prompted, so it really helps that you’re asking the questions.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, where you come from, what influences your writing, and how and when you knew you wanted to be a writer?

I was born in the suburbs of Chicago. While not completely set against the urban lifestyle, the lure of the country was much stronger. So after college in central and southern Illinois, I ended up in the suburbs of St. Louis, and I try to get away to rural Missouri as often as I can.

I’m a civil engineer by trade. I live with my wife of nearly twenty years and our three children. The kids are all spread out—from a 16 year old boy to a 4 year old daughter. There’s one more daughter midway in between. It’s sort of the perfect plan for spacing out those future college payments.

I suppose I found myself wanting to write somewhere around the third grade. I always enjoyed writing fiction, but my aptitude was math and science. And my dad was a math teacher. So a pair of engineering degrees came first, where I made it my goal to write my reports as little like a stuffy engineer as possible. Fugitives is my first published story of any kind, and I started working on it in early 2012—more than 30 years since the third grade.

Tell us about the first book in the Northwoods series, Fugitives from Northwoods.

The story is set in a not-too-distant future America. The economy has collapsed, cities have crumbled, and dictators have seized power to restore order. Think Great Depression-style New Deal gone wrong. In a corrupted take on the old Civilian Conservation Corps, teens fourteen and older are basically imprisoned in work camps to provide for the common good. Tired of their mistreatment, planning begins to break out and brave the wild.

The newly 18-year-old male lead, Penn, runs a fishing crew in the lakes of northern Minnesota. He’s about to be assigned a new adult job and split up from the others once the prime fishing season comes to a close. Despite the huge risks, he has convinced his bunkmates, and the girls in the adjacent bunkhouse, to make a risky run for north of the border.

The challenges compound as they are pursued by ruthless guards, tracking dogs, patrol boats and float planes. It’s a tight thriller story filled with loss and adversity.

Whenever I read a book where the characters spend a vast majority of the story trying to survive in the wilderness, I wonder how much of the knowledgeable survival skills come from the author’s personal experience. Can you tell us what personal training you have in regards to wilderness survival and how this helped in writing Fugitives from Northwoods?

The novel is set in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) of northeastern Minnesota. I’ve canoed there several times, most recently in 2012 with my son and others from his Boy Scout troop. The book is at least 90% geographically accurate, with only a few liberties taken to up the ante a bit.

Wilderness Survival definitely influences my writing the most. I suppose it’s the Boy Scout training, but a healthy love for the outdoors definitely factors in. There’s always some wilderness aspect in my books, and usually something that’s gone horribly wrong that makes it a survival novel. Thankfully, I’ve never had a truly awful hunting/camping trip, but it pays to Be Prepared.
 
What is your preferred genre to read? Do you have a favorite series?

It’s probably not a shocking revelation that I’m heavily into dystopian. The Hunger Games trilogy really started all that for me. I still need to get through Divergent and about a thousand other books on BOD before I claim a favorite, but I’m working my way through the list.

Most may not know that I read a fair amount of non-fiction too, which is generally war history about battles, generals, etc…

What drew you to write in the dystopian genre, and why do you think this category appeals so well to young adult readers?

I was hugely influenced by The Hunger Games. It’s really what drew me to writing. I used to read at lunch hour every day, now I mostly write. It all came about after reading THG. I read the full series once, then immediately restarted it. Made it all the way through a second time and started for a third. I couldn’t bring myself to read Mockingjay one more time. It’s my least favorite, so I took a break and decided that I ought to try to write something, which was right about the time I was researching maps and planning canoe routes for the BWCAW trip.

As for the genre, I believe most of the great dystopian books have strong Libertarian leanings. Basically, it’s the idea that not many people want to be told what to do—especially not forced to do something. I think teens can easily relate to that.

Do you write any other genres and are you currently working on anything?

So far, all I’ve managed to write are young adult adventure stories. It’s really what influences me.

I’m thrilled to announce I have a brand new adventure book coming out around the end of January 2015. It’s not dystopian, but it’s a little dark and edgy along with a hint of romance. So I invite everyone to look for Game Changer, a ‘float trip gone wrong’ book, to be released soon. It’s set in my home state of Missouri and can be thought of as a bit like Deliverance…for teens.

Also, the third book in the Northwoods Trilogy will be starting production soon. Return to Northwoods will hopefully be out in (relatively) early 2015.

In lieu of the holidays, tell us some fun holiday facts about yourself. What would be your ideal Christmas presents or vacation?

Fun facts, hmm… Uhm, so I have to tell you I’m really not that exciting. As an adult, Christmas is all about the kids now, which is nice, but different.

For the ideal part, I’d have to go with vacation over presents. Every time I’m lucky enough to have a little time off work and travel away from home, it seems like inspiration strikes. There’s something about new places that brings adventure stories to mind. Thankfully, I’ve never had any epically bad experiences like my characters always seem to be running into.

For Christmas, I’d like to go to Disneyworld. Halloween was very cool there, and I’d like to see the park lit up for Christmas. Anywhere else warm would be a close second.

Do you have a favorite tradition you look forward to at this time of year? What tradition would you like to start?

We put the tree up around Thanksgiving. Artificial. Tried a real one once and it was fine. The house didn’t burn down, and it wasn’t a big deal to get rid of it after the holiday. Life is extra busy around the holiday, so I remember it being a bit of a hassle to go cut one down and bring it back. And cold. So it was fun, but time consuming and chilly. I don’t think I’d buy one at a tree lot—not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Christmas is all about the family, so board games, playing cards, sipping a few beverages—and generally taking off the week from Christmas to New Years. I’m pretty old-fashioned, so not one to come up with new traditions. But it’s fun to think about. Let me get through this holiday, and I’ll let you know if anything comes to mind for next year.

Are you an eggnog kind of guy or an apple cider man?

I can’t say that I’m a big fan of the nog, not even with a little something extra added. I’ll have to go with apple cider, though I’d really rather warm up with a nice fire and some Wild Turkey and Sprite.

Thank you so much, Chris, for taking time to share your writing and yourself with all of us at BOD!

Thank you for the opportunity! It’s my pleasure. You all work so hard at the group keeping it fun. And tons of giveaways. I’m really happy to have found this group so long ago. Or did you guys find me? I forget. Anyway…all I know is it’s always a joy to see the latest contests or read the insanely funny comments. Keep up the great work!

ABOUT CHRIS BOSTIC

Chris Bostic is an author of young adult novels from St. Louis, Missouri. An avid outdoorsman, Chris uses his experiences to write ultra-realistic, gripping action/adventure, wilderness survival books that appeal to young and old alike.

A father of three and husband to one, Chris shares his outdoors passion with his loving wife, three wonderful children, and a Boy Scout troop. Chris’ teenage son, Jonathan, is an Eagle Scout. His red-headed middle child, Helena, has a passion for reading (and is a budding young author). His youngest child, Julia, is a very smart preschooler who is growing up too fast–but keeps him young at heart.

Somehow, between a full time job and a busy family, Chris finds time to write.

Thank you so much Ms. Kelly Van Hull for joining all of us at BOD for an author spotlight interview.  I’m very excited to pick your brain a little bit about what it’s like being a writer among your many other awesome responsibilities.  Thank you!

I feel like I should be thanking you. It doesn’t go unnoticed how much work the BOD administrators do and speaking as one of the authors, we really appreciate it. It’s a really fun way to connect with other readers and talk about all things books! So, thank you.

Kelly, when did you know you wanted to be a writer, and what made you want to write dystopian fiction?

My memories of in utero are a little fuzzy, but I’m pretty sure I had a pen and paper even back then. Who needs an umbilical cord when you have a Sharpie and some notecards? Seriously though, until the self-publishing industry took off, I didn’t even know it was a possibility. It was just something that refused to go away and it never will. I’m obsessed with words. As far as dystopian goes, I was built for it. I’ve been trying to write other stuff, but my true love is dystopian. I think it’s a smashup of all the other things I love. Survival, speculative science fiction, animals (I watch a lot of Animal Planet,) young people in coming of age situations, and best of all THE BIG RESTART BUTTON.

There are tons of biblical references to Tent City and Red River.  Can you explain where you got the idea or why you chose to put ancient prophetic writing in a futuristic setting?

People ask me this all the time and I didn’t have a good answer until the other day when I was cleaning my 6-year-old twins’ room. I was putting away their videos and I ran across the movie “The Prince of Egypt” and it hit me. That story has been living with me for years. I don’t know if I can think of anything scarier than dealing with plagues that come in one right after another with no ability to control it whatsoever. I have a bit of a soft spot for biblical stories. I really like the idea of putting them in real time, in the lives we live now.

Tell us a little bit about Dani and the dystopian world where she finds herself in Tent City and Red River.

Dani’s world is quite sheltered in the beginning, a token from her parents, but it’s unsteady and right off the bat, she finds herself dealing with stuff for the first time and being responsible for someone other than herself. The dystopian setting itself in Tent City was fun for me to write, but really the heart of the story happens between her and her little brother.

I have read a couple of dystopian stories where the characters develop some form of superhuman traits as a result of surviving a disaster, disease, etc.  What do you think draws writers and readers to create or idolize characters in fiction with advanced abilities?

Short answer: Because it’s fun.

Long answer: I can only speak for myself in saying that was integral to the story. Tent City’s advancements were the markers to figure out who belonged in the group that was essentially going to save the world. They had matching abilities, which forced them to recognize it, claim it and essentially seal the circle, which would later be symbols for a new emerging society. Boy, when I put it that way, it sure seems like there needs to be a third book.

You have mentioned on BOD that you are a runner. How much of Dani’s character traits are based on fact?  Did any other real live person inspire you to create characters in Tent City and Red River?

As far as Dani’s ability to run and the logistics of how long things would take her, it’s all very realistic, but turned up just a smidge. In today’s world, she would be a track star somewhere, if not only for her endurance. I turned it up a notch to show that she was different, but realistically it can be done. I have some experience mostly as an adult with some road race wins and a marathon under my belt. The only other thing she inherited from me was her need to be literal all the time and the inability to cope with pillows without cases and beds without sheets. Brody was built from my own children, as the twins were about that age when I wrote the story. I had never met Jack before, but he was one of the first to introduce himself to me and I stole something from my husband when figuring out who Bentley was. The one true thing about Bentley is that no matter what, he sees Dani as his constant. He might be stubborn and do things his own way, but in the end, he’s always looking out for her.

If you were to develop advanced superhuman traits or abilities, what would they be and why?

I’m not sure there is any answer other than wisdom that could lead to a happy ending, so I’m going to have to go with that. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. In fact, I’m certain there is a biblical reference to that somewhere as well.

When you’re not writing, what is the main thing that takes up your time, and how do you balance everyday life with your writing career?

Well, I have six kiddos and the last one is a baby, so there’s not much balance of anything going on, but I know I’m meant to write because I find time to advance the path even when I don’t have time and that’s really how you know you are doing what you should be. Right now, I’m focusing on craft and formulating the outline for the next book.

Are you writing anything right now, and when do you expect to be done?

Sort of, but I dare not say anything. Every time I do, I abandon the project, so I’m going to let this one simmer.

What are some fun facts about you?  Do you have a favorite series you read over and over again?  What is the worst food you’ve had to eat? What is the coolest thing/place you have seen or been to?

Fun facts? I have six kids, but have only given birth three times. Two of those little buggers I inherited when I said I do and two came storming into the world hand in hand. I have a blue uterus, as I only produce boys (thank heavens one I inherited was a girl.) I don’t usually read things over because my to-be-read list is way too long. Worst food? I’m pretty sure I accidentally ate a dog biscuit when I was younger unbeknownst until after ingestion. The coolest place I have ever been to is called Cascade Falls and it’s in the Black Hills of South Dakota. I didn’t know what to expect when we stopped on the way home from vacation, but I will never forget it. It was a scene right out of Twilight with all the native teenagers. I was expecting them to phase into werewolves at any minute. They were beautiful, kind, and generous, very welcoming to share the waterhole that was something out of a fantasy novel where there’s a natural hot tub shape with mini waterfalls, and a place to jump off the edge of the bank, which of course I did.

How cool! Thanks again, Kelly for spending time with us at BOD.  It’s so fun to have you as part of this awesome community of authors and fans. 

Thanks!

FIND KELLY VAN HULL ONLINE

Website  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon

December is here and we’re excited to bring back Writing Prompt this coming Friday! Last time we played, our winner was Kathy Pepper! You can view the original image and prompt here. Read on to see Kathy’s winning story. Congratulations Kathy!

The end came with a whimper and a sneeze. As I looked over the dead city I thought of my own luck. In those first days many fell ill. It started with a cough that would not stop, a sore throat, and an inferno-like fever. I was one of the first to become ill. I brought the virus into my home.

I lay in my bed while people around me surrendered and died quietly at home.

The day I woke up, the first thing I noticed was the smell. Fetid and decay, and it came from my bed. I looked at my side. My husband’s cold body lay there. I tried to stand. My legs shook. My head hurt. My heart ached. I stumbled into the bathroom. I tried the taps. Water came out and I tried my best to wash the stench off me.

I dressed quietly, unsure what had happened. I went downstairs. Nothing stirred. I opened the cupboard door. Fresh food had gone stale. I opened a can of peaches and ate the succulent fruit, the juice sweet and reviving.

I found a newspaper. The headlines shouted of the death of the world.

I left my home with a bag on my back. So now I stand alone. Looking at a dead army camp that had been set up in the football ground. I had hoped to find survivors like me. But no.

So I shall keep walking, hoping that I am not the only one left.