If you could text one of your characters and not have them leave you on read, who would it be and why?
Gabe (from The Bones of Who We Are) hands down. I am so interested in his story and still think about it. I want to talk “writing” with him. :)
What is your absolute favorite genre to write about and why?
Young Adult, and perhaps that is because it is where I have spent most of my time as both a reader and a writer. I love the newness of experience, the exploration of self, and the sentiment of hope that always exists in the YA novel experience.
Do you have a favorite piece or work that you’ve written so far? Can you share?
All of them carve a little place into my heart, that’s for sure. In terms of creative challenge, The Bones of Who We Are pushed me out of my comfort zone both storytelling and in form. I am really proud of the new - The Stories Stars Tell - which I’m in the process of querying. In terms of storytelling, I think it demonstrates my growth as a writer.
What do you do when faced with writer’s block?
One of the best pieces of advice I ever read was in Ernest Hemingway’s “A Moveable Feast”. He wrote that he learned not to completely empty the well and to stop writing when he reached the deepest recesses of the reservoir so that he could pick up where he left off the next day with a full creative well. I have consciously recalled this advice, when I achieve my daily goal, but know that I have more to give, so I set the following day’s goals. That said, there are moments when I feel lost. This often happens for me when I’m between projects or stuck because something isn’t working in the current story. I set it aside. I read. And then I journal. If I can’t loosen up the ideas with my normal techniques, I throw everything out and ask myself: “If nothing existed in this narrative and all I had was the character (or the situation or the conflict or whatever point I’m struggling to write through) what would this be about?” Then I free associate, stream-of-consciousness. It doesn’t always work, but sometimes it loosens things up. And then sometimes the ideas flow because I’m washing dishes or have my hands in the belly of the dryer pulling out clean clothes when the idea hits and I’m ready to write again. Creativity is a fickle mistress with a grand sense of humor.
Why do you write?
The characters usually won’t stop talking to me. They’re in my head telling me their stories, sharing with me scenes, and it all gets so chaotic and crowded, I have to get them out.
When you set out to write, do you create a type of schedule to help you and keep you on track? What type?
Word counts have always made me tense up and feel that block. Instead of word counts, I set a scene goal. Depending on where I am in my process, I have a sense of a scene. My calendar is then blocked with scene goals. At various stages of my process, I might still be learning about a character rather than writing a specific scene for the narrative, so the goal might just be a character’s name.
What has kept you inspired to continue writing?
Remember when I said it get crowded in my head (LOL). I love it. I love sitting down to puzzle out a story. It brings me joy. That is why I continue to write.
Do you believe that in order for a writer to become a successful writer that it is worthwhile to write everyday or that it is okay to set their own standards?
I really think it depends on a person’s goals and the kind of worker that person is to be successful at whatever endeavor they set their mind to. If someone wants to write, wants t publish, they’ll find a way to do it. If someone just finds joy in writing every so often, they’ll make time to do that. I think we find ways to be successful and there is no “right” way. But I do think we become better writers by writing (and reading) consistently. I write consistently (I journal everyday), but I don’t always write on my current project everyday. That’s a necessity because I am a teacher as well. If I had my choice — I would be writing creatively everyday.
Within the next 5 years, where do you see yourself within your writing journey?
I will have published another 3-5 novels. I would like to be a traditional-independent hybrid author, and by then, my stories will have picked up so much steam we’re talking movies which I’ll be co-writing the screenplays. This girl has goals. :)
Do you have an inspirational author? Why are they your inspiration?
Oh my goodness! So many. Laurie Halse Anderson, Markus Zusak, Mary E. Pearson, V.E. Schwab, Cassandra Clare, Brigid Kemmerer, Jeff Zentner, John Green, Rainbow Rowell…So many. I read a ton, and each of these authors inspire me in various ways from setting development, character depth, nuance, and conflict. There are just so many ways to develop the craft; reading teaches me.
Would you like to share something about yourself that no other reader knows about?
I was in parents when I was in my late teens early twenties for scholarship money to go to school. How’s that for a fun fact.

To know more about C.L. Walters and her work, such as The Cantos Chronicles, please visit her website, Instagram, or Goodreads pages by clinking the highlighted links.