KP Interviews BYN Contest Winner: Brenna Stross

Back in March we announced the winner of our Begin Your Novel Contest, Brenna Stross. She agreed to allow us an interview, and here is what she has to say on her entry and being a writer!

Kingdom Pen: So, just who is Brenna Stross? Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you discover Kingdom Pen and the Begin Your Novel contest?

Brenna Stross: I’m a thirteen year old girl just doing life in good ole’ Lakeland! I love reading, writing, singing and playing the guitar. I discovered Kingdom Pen through the Begin Your Novel contest, and I discovered BYN through this blog: Our Crazy Adventures In Autism Land 

KP: You’ve shown us that you have a great opening paragraph; is there a great novel to go along with it? If not, are you in the process of writing it?

Stross: This contest sparked the interest to begin this novel, and I am currently in the process of writing it.

KP: How long did you spend writing your opening paragraph? What was the most difficult part?

Stross: After researching ideas, contemplating, and praying, it was clear what I was to write, and it took me ten minutes to write my opening paragraph.

KP: Have you won any writing awards or contests before, or is Kingdom Pen your first?

Stross: Kingdom Pen is the first writing contest I’ve ever entered, so I was beyond excited and surprised to have actually won. My goal was to get feedback on how to improve my writing.

KP: Are you home schooled, public schooled, private schooled, or a mix? Has writing been a big part of your education?

Stross: I am homeschooled. Yes, writing has been a big part of my education. I’ve been interested in writing since I was very young and my parents always encouraged me to pursue it.

KP: When did you decide to become a writer? How long have you been writing fiction?

Stross: I don’t know when exactly I decided to become a writer; I just know as soon as I was capable, I was writing. Before I was able to write on my own, I would dictate short stories and worship songs to my mother, and she would write them for me. I came up with my first short story when I was three. But I was ten when I actually sat down and wrote one myself.

KP: Who or what has helped you the most in your writing journey?

Stross: I think a huge help is that I’ve always loved to read. And my grandparents and parents have always been there for advice and encouragement.

KP: Which writers inspire you?

Stross: Right now the authors that inspire me are: Rick Riordan, Karen Kingsbury, Beverly Lewis, J.K. Rowling and Suzanne Collins.

KP: What is your favorite genre to write, and why?

Stross: Currently, my favorite genre to write is fiction, because I enjoy creating characters, because it’s fun to escape reality sometimes and create another world.

KP: What are your goals as a writer?

Stross: Right now, my goals are just to continue writing because I feel like it’s a gift that God has given me. I want to do what I am capable with that gift and honor God while doing it.

KP: What all have you written? Books, novellas, short stories, poems, blogs?

Stross: I have written a book, novellas, short stories, poems and blogs!

KP: What writing projects are you currently working on at the moment?

Stross: I am currently working on Dying Dreams, the novel I began for this contest and a sequel to another book I wrote.

KP: What is your biggest struggle as a writer? Biggest fear?

Stross: My biggest struggle as a writer is writer’s block, seeing that haunting blank screen staring at you can be horrifying. And my biggest fear is failure. To me, failure would be giving up, not being able to finish what I started competently.

KP: If you could give one piece of encouragement to other writers your age, what would it be?

Stross: I would tell them something my mom says to me all the time “If God has called you to write, then write, regardless of others’ opinions. Being obedient is pleasing to God, and pleasing God is the goal!”

 

Brenna Stross is an aspiring young author. She wrote her first novella about two friends stuck in a video game at the young age of 10.  She loves to read works by Karen Kingsbury, Rick Riordan and J.K. Rowling.  Her love of reading has fueled her passion for writing. She enjoys writing fiction but admits her characters are based on real people in her life.  In her spare time she loves to play guitar and write songs.  She leads worship for her church youth group and her writing is influenced by her Christian upbringing. Brenna is a proud homeschooler and lives in Lakeland, FL with her parents and younger brother Nicholas.