J. Kowallis, the only girl of four children, grew up in northern Utah with a head full of wild stories (most often unreal). At the age of 9, she wrote her first poem, a dedication to E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web. It was so intriguing, her third grade teacher requested to keep the original. Between living in various fictional worlds, and spending time on her studies, she managed to graduate from Weber State University’s creative writing program. She now lives in Utah with her Mini Schnauzer, Etta, and spends most of her time still bouncing between this world and the fantastical while enjoying delectable über-dark chocolate and lavender baths. She enjoys dreaming about, flying to, and writing about distant lands (real or unreal).
AUTHOR LINKS:
1) What is a unique quark of yours?
I sing and dance. Blatantly. In my car. Even if people are watching. I also talk to myself.
——
2) How do you feel you’ve grown as an author?
I’ve grown a lot. As with any talent, the more you practice, the better your talent becomes. I’m naturally more of a “minimalistic” writer, as in I don’t use a lot of (what I feel is) unnecessary description or scene setting and I try to let the story just tell itself. In doing that, I’ve also learned that I miss out on great “color painting” opportunities. So, in my next project, I’m stretching my limits and comfort zone to really learn how to paint with my words and create something a little different. As with athletics, you can’t really become better if you do the same movements over and over again. You have to push harder, stretch more, run faster, and tear your muscles if you want to progress. In a lot of ways, writing is the same way and I’m learning to work with that.
——
3) What is your favorite catchphrase?
Ha ha. it’s probably a toss between “Oh, land of the living,” or “I KNOW!” (think Monica from F.R.I.E.N.D.S.)
——
4)If you could date a character of yours, who would it be?
Roy. Gosh, that just kind of shot out of my mouth like a bullet.
——
5) In 5 words, how would you describe yourself?
Loving, Adventurous, Passionate, Quirky, and (once trusting) very Loyal
——
6) What do you love most about the book community?
The support. The book community is full of readers who find themselves drawn together from different economic stations, different countries, cultures, religious backgrounds, ethnicities, and yet somehow find the same parts of their souls in the same stories. The community seems to create this instant unification. A love for the same thing: the written word. It’s something you see very rarely in the world. Readers fall in love with characters and places they’ve never been and an automatic mental friendship connects the reader, in turn, to the authors. Authors find themselves with hundreds, eventually thousands, and hopefully millions of friends they may never meet in this life, and yet they write strenuously for all of them. The real and virtual friendships that build between readers, bloggers, and authors is like this amazing triangle that pulsing with life and it’s just amazing.
——
7) What are 3 things you’re currently obsessed with?
I’ve been listening to The Rigs’ “Devil’s Playground” on repeat. As an INFJ, I fall into the “beat a song ’til it’s dead” category and I’m smack dab in the middle of the beating. It’s actually the inspiration for a new project I’m working on that has me all tingly in my toes! I’m also super duper addicted to Tofu recipes right now. I told you, I’m quirky:)
——
8) What does your dream vacation look like?
I just returned from my bucket list trip to Germany, but I would truly love a chance to take two months off from life and just travel Europe. I want to see Madrid, I want to see London, travel to Florence, hike through Austria, explore the richness of Prague, and get lost in the markets of Istanbul. I love history and culture and if given the opportunities to experience new cultures with a long history of grand architecture and art, I’d take it and run with it.
The Bookish Crypt 
Leave a comment