Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Nguyen.

Hi Kristen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

I’ve always had a passion for the fantastic. I grew up reading stories like the Chronicles of Narnia and watching shows like Pokemon and Digimon. I would write short stories and act out storylines where I was the main character (picture me being a Pokemon Gym Leader who also had a digimon partner).

As I got older, I tried to write a story several times but never made it far. My first story I completed in high school. It was a combination of high fantasy and weeb trash. It was horrible, but I love it because it is a reflection of where I was at the time. I tried rewriting it in college, but that fell apart because I was indecisive.

Then 2015 hit. I was tired of taking work home with me and decided to write a novel as a way to relieve stress. It took two years, but it was a huge accomplishment. I had written a novel that wasn’t horrible. As I basked in the glow of my success, I realized that the story actually wasn’t over. It turned into a four book series and opened the door for other ideas seeking an outlet.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

My journey has had its fair share of hiccups. I finessed my process so that I could release one book a year. It felt like a huge accomplishment and gave me a goal for the year. However, I had two children during this time, and raising toddlers makes finding time to write difficult. When I found time to write, Imposter Syndrome decided to hover over my shoulder. It’s not easy kicking it away, but it needs to be done. I also lost one of my best beta readers, so that set me back a bit, but I managed to find a couple more who have proven to be invaluable.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

When I’m not scribbling away, I love playing Japanese ensemble drumming, or taiko. I’ve been with my local taiko group for 10 years (in April) and have been part of the performing ensemble for a majority of the time. We play at school assemblies, educating children on the history of Japan and taiko, and at other bazaars and fairs. Like writing, it became a great way for me to express myself and relieve stress. The members of the group are like a family, and they have been there for me when I needed them most. I am forever grateful to them.

How do you think about luck?

I would say that luck has played a major part in my life. I’ve met some wonderful people and formed a great little community of small business owners who have helped me network and grow my business. Some of them are authors, while others are ceramicists or specialize in other trinkets.

Somehow, I managed to overcome my fear of speaking to people. As an introvert, it’s not exactly easy to break out of your shell and talk to strangers. However, as time went on, I think that a combination of luck and practice really helped me learn to engage with others. I found that a bunch of people have the dream of writing their own stories, and I cannot be happier for them. I believe that by supporting others and their journey, you help your own karma/luck. Putting good energy out into the world brings it back to the source (you).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dragonscript.net
• Instagram: dragonscript_books
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorknnguyen