Author Interview: Kim Vermaak

Today, I had the privilege of interviewing Kim Vermaak, a fellow Christian Fantasy author who does not flinch away from tough topics. With two fantasy books published and more on the way, she took some time to answer some questions about her books and her plans for the future. Check out her interview below!

What inspired The Chronicles of Nadine?

I have a very adventurous daughter whose games have driven me to despair, as I am always terrified that she is going to kill herself.  Most of the time you can hear us screaming Nadeeeeeen! when we find her walking on a roof or climbing over the security spikes of the gate to get to her friends. I know she is designed for a purpose and has strong leadership elements in her, but it feels like my sole role is to make sure she survives into adulthood. I wanted to write a story where her strength is celebrated.  But as my style of writing is for teens and above, I made her character older than she actually is. I wanted a story that brings back the true purpose of stories, which is to pass on wisdom.

What are the messages you want people to learn from The Chronicles of Nadine?

Life is not idealistic.  Sometimes there are going to be severe trials, ones that you may feel will cripple you, but they are opportunities for growth and character development.

As a parent of a teen, I know that many teens don’t want to have the conversations they need to have. I designed these books to bring wisdom into storytelling, but also to be a tool for parents to open up conversations in a non-threatening manner.

So far you have two books in the series. How many are you planning on writing?

I had planned on writing 4 in this series, but it maybe 5 or 6. Each book introduces a new dragon species, but I don’t feel like we can finish up on only 4, which is when I introduce the last species. After that, I will write another series with Maireid (Nadine’s sister in the book), as the main character. She will remain in the same medieval world as Nadine, but as she is not a Dragon Whisperer, she has to rely on her sleuthing mind to solve problems. In Book 2, she goes on a quest to find Mary, and her reputation from this event makes other parents seek her out.

Your books touch on some tough topics, like abortion and rape (All still explored in a sensitive way). Why did you decide to include those in your books?

I have encountered each of these topics in my own life. Either through my own experiences or through friends. We always say, “That will never happen to me, or my child, or anyone I know.”  When they happen, we are too afraid to speak up.  We can sometimes withdraw into ourselves, too afraid to speak out because we fear judgment by others. The emotional wounds fester and we become people we don’t recognise.  Before I started this series, I knew four women who had terminations.  After I spoke about the content, many more women shared their stories.  Some had the terminations, some backed out.

When I had an unplanned pregnancy, everyone assumed I would terminate the pregnancy. Believe me, I had a lot of temptations when I was lonely and afraid, but that does not make me a better person. The difference was that I had thought about this scenario before and I already knew women who had terminations.

I had cradled my friend in my arms when her soul was bleeding out. So when I had an unplanned pregnancy, I did not let my emotions sway me, because I knew what my decision would be ahead of time.

Too often we gloss over tough topics and when they happen we are unprepared emotionally. In the books, I want to open up conversations to help women identify with the characters and find hope and healing. For women who struggle to speak to their teens about tough topics, these books allow teens to explore tough topics without fear of judgment. Book 3 will cover bullying.

If you had one piece of writing advice, what would it be?

Find a tribe who celebrate your dream and understand the process. I get so annoyed when people who know nothing about the process ask you… “So how many books have you sold? Or, “Can you actually earn a living from your passion?” established authors don’t treat a writing career as a lottery ticket.  They will respect and honour your journey.  It is a business so treat it as one.

Who is your favorite character and why?

I have had so many. But these two are my favourite. Lady Christine. A lot of women have something great buried inside them but have allowed traumas to make them shrink back.  As much as this series is about Nadine, it is also about Lady Christine learning to embrace her purpose and face her enemy.  There comes a time in a woman’s life where she can no longer hide her identity. A time where she must fight to be the woman she is created to be and when she does other women will find their courage through her.

Friar Watt. I love Frair Watt’s courage. He is a genuine leader. His military background (which you discover in book 3) makes him an able-bodied spiritual leader of the team.  He reminds me of Jesus, who was capable of tenderness, compassion and forgiveness, but was also a straight talker and as a carpenter would have been physically strong. While we speak of Jesus’ tenderness with children, he was a man of purpose and extraordinary courage. I wanted to represent these qualities in Friar Watt. I loved how he cared for the corrupt Bishop in book 1, allowing him a dignified path to death.

What books do you recommend for other Fantasy readers?

I read so many genres, which makes it difficult to pinpoint one book or one genre.  The one that is my most recent medieval fantasy is The Jester by James Patterson and Andrew Gross. One could say it is an adventure, but that is what I like in all the novels that I read. I also enjoyed The Healer by British novelist, Rob Radcliffe.

About the Author

Kim Vermaak is an author and brand builder who has been an entrepreneur for almost 20 years. Her superpower is to craft stories that not only transport her readers into the hearts and worlds of the characters she creates, but also to create a culture of wisdom.

Although Kim always had a pen in her hand, whether doodling, writing or planning, it was not until South Africa had its first load shedding that she discovered the power of her stories. When the lights went out, it was winter and she and her family found themselves unprepared. With no candles or gas cooker, and a frightened daughter, she used her words to inspire courage.

Kim had to overcome a few fears of her own to take the first tentative steps to become an author. But when she saw the power that books had to transform a family, she vowed to help other authors to create a better life for themselves by embracing their creative talents.

This author writes in the medieval period because she believes that this time of history embraces the full complexity of the human condition. It was a period where politics, religion, murder, love and mythology all blended into daily life.

People had to create lives of their own within a brutal and unforgiving landscape. In Kim’s early life she felt like the medieval characters from her books. The plans and schemes of authorities over which she had no control over trapped her. You will find little hints of her life woven into the book series.

Kim found her way to her beloved adoptive parents after being abused and abandoned. It was there that she found the gift of new beginnings. Her adoptive family were her first heroes, and it was within this family that she learned her love of reading.

Books helped Kim found her courage. They were a place where characters who faced severe trials could rise and create a new way of life. It is this gift of courage that drives her to create the stories that inspire others to create their own legacy.

Where to Find Her & Her Books:

The Last of the Silver Wings: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Silver-Wings-Medieval-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B085D9BHVB
The Fire Within the Storm
https://www.amazon.com/Fire-Within-Storm-Medieval-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B087CBK98D/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VermaakKim
Website: https://www.kimvermaak.com

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kim-vermaak
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/kim_vermaak
Subscribe to Kim’s Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gBGZ79