Interview with Kaleb Nation

Interview with Kaleb Nation by B. Marie

B.Marie: “In your bio on KalebNation.com, it is mentioned that you began writing as a child. What types of stories did your young mind come up with? How did you share these stories with others or did you keep them to yourself?”

Kaleb: My first story (the one I was forced to write by my mother, because back then I hated writing) was about a certain person named King Kaleb who rode in a submarine under the North Pole and met with aliens. After I finished it and realized just how much I enjoyed writing (after all, in my stories I could be King all I wanted) I wrote mostly science fiction before moving to fantasy for a while, then finally years later starting on Bran Hambric. I shared them with my siblings by printing them up in little booklets.

B.Marie: “Do you share any similarities with your character Bran Hambric or do you consider yourself to be a complete opposite?”

Kaleb: I actually think Bran has a lot in common with me, but only in indirectly similar ways. For example he likes to draw, I like to write. We also talk similarly. I’m not sure how it happens, but I think almost every character an author writes will always have a piece of them in it.

B.Marie: “I know writers have little things they do, eat, or listen to while writing to help them focus or draw in inspiration. What are some crazy things you do or have around while going through the writing process?”

Kaleb: When I write, I’m always listening to a movie soundtrack, usually something by Thomas Newman or Harry Gregson-Williams. And when I’m having a particularly hard time concentrating I chew on Eclipse mints, because they’re crunchy. Then I found out you’re not supposed to have more than three or four of those a day or you get stomachaches. But at least it’s better than the energy drinks I was addicted to while I wrote the second Bran Hambric book!

B.Marie:: “How is Chilla doing?”

Kaleb: She’s doing very well. She’s getting much fatter. Right now she is sleeping beside her food bowl. This could be a big reason she is getting fatter.

B.Marie: “Are there any moments in Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse that didn’t make it into the book that you wish did?”

Kaleb: There was one scene in the first Bran Hambric book (The Farfield Curse) when Bran goes to see Larak the Baker. It had been in the book since the beginning, and had to be taken out. Luckily I got it into the second book in a shorter form. Also, much of the first chapter was cut out, with Trolan, Ben and Mr. Brewer talking about the Wilomases. That was one of my favorites, but it had to go.

B.Marie: “I have to say you have been busy this year in 2010. Do you have a favorite moment so far from this year?”

Kaleb: Vidcon 2010 in Los Angeles was easily one of the best times of my life. I can’t even explain it. A conference entirely made up of Youtubers like me? I think I met all my idols in a single day.

B.Marie: “The next book in the Bran Hambric series, The Specter Key is scheduled to come out this Fall. Can you give us 3 words from the book? Or 3 words to describe the book and what to expect?”

Kaleb: Hello, Bran’s father.

I suppose that works? Three words that could speak for the book in a way. The plot thickens in this one. You get to see more of what’s been going on in the background through The Farfield Curse. Plus, how to disarm a gnome trap.

B.Marie: “There is a section on the BranHambric.com website called, “Alvondir” where the readers can learn how to read and write magical words or phrases just like in the book. There is a process and a formula to be followed; how long did this take you to figure out? I saw in one of your videos “On Finishing a Book [PART 1]”, the original chart (or what I assume to be the original chart) in a note book. Was it a trial and error sort of thing or did it just naturally come to you? I admit to have been playing around with this; it sure is a lot of fun.”

Kaleb: I was sitting outside with a pen and notebook and randomly came up with the system. It wasn’t hard for me, because I had been using a similar code for some time (what teenager doesn’t write things they don’t want their parents/friends reading?). I wanted something that looked like gibberish, but if you knew the code, it would be extremely easy to read in a line what the magic words meant. Now I can read lines and lines of Alvondir without skipping, because it’s easy to rearrange in your head.

B.Marie:: “You once created a “In 2009, I Will” video where you talked about all the things you would do. If you were to create a “In 2011, I Will” video, what would be some of the things you hope to accomplish?”

Kaleb: In 2011, I want to be on the bestseller list, at least for a week. That’s one of the things on my list of dreams.

B.Marie: “Last question (or challenge, really), please decipher the following using the Alvondir system. “Werito Meoro Binra Hicambri!”

Kaleb: Write more Bran Hambric!

5 “Fun Facts” about Kaleb Nation!

1) Until last year on my book tour, I had never eaten Indian food. Now Chicken Tikka Masala is one of my favorite dishes.

2) I buy Eclipse mints by the half-dozen so I don’t run out.

3) Authors get free copies of their books when they go to print. I have so many, they’re in piles against the wall.

4) The homepage on my computer is Yahoo.com.

5) I do not like Klondike bars.

(I have a video with a list of strange facts about me going up in a few weeks, after I hit 50,000 subscribers. I got some of these from that list, which is why they’re so random )

Check out Kaleb’s Youtube Channel by clicking here!

You can get more information about the Bran Hambric novels by clicking here!

Be sure to keep an eye out for Bran Hambric: The Specter Key coming soon on 10/10/10!

Follow Kaleb on Twitter! @KalebNation

I just wanted to Thank Kaleb again for his time, it was really fun interviewing him! <3

-B. Marie-