WhiskeyLuke, a talented and popular author on Wattpad, sat down with us and Priya, to talk about her life as a wattpad author. She's written multiple books on wattpad (such as Enemies Flames, Starstruck, and Teacher's Pet). continue reading to find out more about this skillful writer and her busy life.

Hi there @whiskeyluke! My name is Priya. I'm an interviewer from the Crazy Late Nighters Community on Wattpad. You were nominated for an interview by TaffieHemmings. Would you like to introduce yourself?

My name is Kelly! Whiskeyluke on WattPad

It's nice to be talking to you kelly! So the first question: When and why did you start writing?

I started writing probably around 7-8 years ago. I was super into Justin Bieber at the time and my friend I used to write books together for a site called justinbieberfanfiction and she eventually introduced me to WattPad!

Wow! You've been writing for quite a while then. So since you've been writing for such a long time (far longer than most of us), what advice would you give new, aspiring authors?

Yes, it's always been something I've loved and it's fun for me to see my growth with each book I write for sure. Above all, I would just say to read a lot and have patience. A lot of my writing styles are inspired by writers I would read a lot of stories from. Reading also helps your vocabulary grow which definitely improves your writing. As for patience, I didn't have a big hit with one of my books until like five years in so it definitely isn't instant for most people

I'm sure that after writing for so long, you can see lots of growth in your writing, and that's really great advice! I take it you read a lot? So what would you say is your favorite underrated/underappreciated novel (either published or on wattpad)?

I don't read as many physical copies of books as I'd like to because it's hard to find time but it's definitely a habit I'm trying to get into. For WattPad, it's definitely harder for me to find books nowadays but I've become close with another 5SOS fanfic writer (glamluke) who's writing is phenomenal. We're big supporters of one another and I definitely think she helps me grow as a writer

That's wonderful!! Supporters are definitely an important part of an author's journey on Wattpad. I'm glad you found someone to share the experience and growth process with! Speaking of support, do you get a lot of hate? And if so, how do you deal with it?

I can't say I have received any hate. I definitely receive criticism every now and then and sometimes it's a let down or certain comments make me second guess things I've written but I try to look at it positively. I never want a reader to feel like they can't disagree/ get mad at some of my decisions because I feel like that's just the part of reading a book. Unfortunately, not everyone is going to agree and I try to take all criticism gratefully as I know none of them mean any harm by leaving it

Wow! Your approach is admirable. I wish I had that kind of mentality. What is the hardest part about writing for you?

Yeah, it's definitely something I've gotten better at coming to terms with over time but as my books grew I realized it was inevitable! As for the hardest part, it's definitely writers block. I try to keep myself on a strict schedule and never keep my readers waiting more than four days for an update (without warning) and writers block can definitely screw that up. Especially because if I put out something that's not my all, just to get something out, I know I'm going to be disappointed.

Ah, I'm sure that is the biggest challenge for lots of writers. The next question is: What is, or what defines, a successful author, in your opinion?

I think success can be defined in so many different ways. It's definitely important to find success in everything you do or you'll be discouraged and want to give up. These little steps of success can consist of consistent readers, reading comment goals, getting a certain amount of reads each chapter, etc... My goal/ success I shoot for is for each book to get more attention than the last. This luckily has been the case for me as I'm currently working on my most popular book yet

That's lovely! Congratulations on that. So, what is the book/piece of writing you are most proud of?

My last book Enemies Flames is definitely my favorite of mine. I think the plot is super unique and I love the ending. The scenes get me emotional reading it which is crazy to me because obviously I made them up but they still impact me if I ever read them over

Aw, but isn't that what writing should do? Impact all equally? So since you're most proud of your last book, may I ask what your first book was? and where is it now?

You're so right and I definitely take much pride in it and I think it will always be my favorite haha. My first book on WattPad is a book called Groupies that really isn't my favorite and isn't a book I love but I know a lot of people that do. I think it's just due to me being my own worst critic but I definitely find it pretty cringey

I'm sure it's great! I know my brain is my worst and most harsh critic as well. So, your friend introduced you to Wattpad, but what appealed to you? What made you want to join it and start writing?

We wanted to try something new and see if we could get a bigger crowd after being on JBFF for a year or two. I definitely found WattPad to be a lot harder in getting readers to notice your books but I've grown to really love WattPad and am happy to be a part of the community

Well, I think you did find that bigger crowd :) Who/what has influenced you the most as a writer?

Definitely other writers on the app I've found a lot of inspiration from. I have tried to learn by the way they write and the way they describe things and all that so I can definitely say with each day I'm growing more and getting better.

That's such a great way to learn!! If you could tell your past (writing) self anything, what would it be?

I would just tell myself to not get discouraged. To this day, I still get discouraged if I don't get a certain amount of comments or if I see a usual reader hasn't read recent updates, etc... Definitely can be stuff I let get to my head but I try to focus on the end as opposed to right now. Obviously every chapter isn't going to be a success and many people may connect with some chapters more than others

Awh, yes. I'm sure that my past self would really benefit from hearing that too. What book/author has influenced or impacted your writing the most?

Recently, it's been a lot of @glamluke as her books are the only ones I really read any more. However, in my early days I found a lot of inspiration in a writer under the name of @bubblesirwin. She stopped writing long ago but I always loved her stories

That's great! I'll be sure to read both of their books asap. So, if you were to describe your books/writing in 3 words, what would they be?

I would definitely categorize them as drama-ridden, unique, and unexpected. I try to come up with unique plots because I'll get bored of it otherwise and I'm definitely a sucker for a plot twist. Most of my stories consist of big plot twists because I know I love them as a reader so I always incorporate them

I love plot twists, but these days all the books on wattpad are super cliche. How do you come up with names for your characters?

Yes, I feel the same! Which is why I always try to make my stories unique and even if I use a generic-ish plot I make sure it's different and nothing like the other stories. When it comes to choosing names, I do so much research because it has to be a name I love. One of my books I'm writing now I think I changed the girls name like 6 or 7 times because I wasn't ever fully happy with it haha. I usually just go through websites that have a list of unique names and try to find ones I like or go off of them

Same! I've changed names like 12 times for the book I'm trying to write now. Okay, so those were all the questions for Kelly the author, and now I have 5-6 questions for Kelly the person. What kind of music do you enjoy the most or listen to while writing?

Yeah I totally feel you haha it's so important to love the name!! When it comes to music, I really don't listen to much when I'm writing because I'll get too distracted haha but if I do, I have a feels playlist that I'll play super quietly in the background. So that playlist consists of just acoustic songs that are calming and all that

That's so interesting! I can't work without music playing. What are you usually doing when you aren't writing?

That's so funny, yeah, my attention span is too short. I'll be singing the words in my head and forget what I'm writing and it just never works out. I work an 8-5 M-F so I work most of my day and then workout after work for an hour or two so most of my writing is done at night.

Oh wow! I barely do anything all day. What was your dream job when you were younger?

Yeah, it definitely is crazy and I wish I had more time to write but I'm glad I can manage both. I've always wanted to work in the music industry and work with artists (and I still am trying to) it's just hard with COVID right now so we'll see what happens with that lmao

That's great! Yeah, covid has really put a stop to a lot of things. Who is your hero?

Hmm that's a tough question. I can't entirely think of anyone off the top of my head but I definitely look up to the youth of our generation as I think they are incredibly outspoken and determined

Ooh I've never heard that response before! I love it! :) Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Yeah I don't really have a "hero" so to say but I'm super inspired by the youth (: And I am without a doubt a night person lmao I hate the morning

Ah same. I can't work in the mornings. What is something most people don't know about you?

Ironically enough, most people don't know I write haha. It's my Hannah Montana life for sure but as for my readers, I think a fun fact about me is that I have 5 siblings and 2 dogs (:

Oh wow. Five siblings!! That sounds like so much fun. Well, those were all my questions for you, Kelly! On behalf of myself and the entire CLN community, thank you so much for taking the time to do this. It was really nice to talk to you! Once the interview is published, I'll let you know!

Ah you're so sweet! Thanks for taking the time! Great talking to you as well.