Write On! interviews author K.E. Milligan

K.E. Milligan published her debut crime novel The Exposure in January 2023, basing it mostly in the Borough of Barking & Dagenham, where she’s from. K.E. plans to write a sequel, finding the whole writing process cathartic, as well as oddly comforting and thrilling.

WO: How would you describe your writing to someone new to it?

KEM: It began as me processing a haunting and traumatic event in my own life that I knew I would never get closure from, so I decided to flip the script and turn it into something productive, positive and creative. Before I knew it, characters were developing themselves and I had a manuscript on my hands.

WO: Can you tell us a bit about your latest book, The Exposure?

KEM: The lead character is an extremely unlikely heroine, who tries her best to remain as positive and carefree in her day-to-day as possible. Her world is turned upside down when she’s snatched from the street when walking home one night and it’s suddenly up to her to not only escape, but rescue the other captives who suffered the same fate.

WO: What inspired you to write in the first place, and what inspires you now?

KEM: I’ve always preferred writing my thoughts than trying to articulate them. I’m much better at the former, as it gives me the space and time to both process my thoughts and adequately express them. I’ve written poems for many years and I journal my own day-to-day habits. This was my first leap into the world of being a published author. It’s like opening the gateway to another dimension, one full of creative minds and content I’d never touched upon previously.

WO: The current issue of Write On! explores the theme of ‘Literary Passions And Guilty Pleasures’. With that in mind, what would you say fuels your literary passion in terms of both reading and creating? Do you have a bookish guilty pleasure you’re happy to share?

KEM: My ultimate guilty pleasure is author Stephanie Meyer. I have utterly adored everything of hers that I’ve read. You can truly lose yourself and everything about your reality when you immerse yourself in her stories. I’m also drawn to novels based around things I don’t personally know anything about; for example, I love to read action/thriller books, with characters such as Jack Reacher, because of the sheer volume of detail behind his skills and motivations that are so far away from my own.

WO: What one piece of advice would you give an aspiring writer?

KEM: Believe in yourself first and foremost. Since publishing my book, many people have told me:“I’ve wanted to write for so long but can’t find the motivation.” I believe this boils down to a lack of confidence and not wanting to take that leap of faith in oneself.

WO: Can you tell us anything about future projects?

KEM: I’m already plotting the sequel as we speak and have other ideas swirling around my subconscious. My work usually starts with something I’ve personally experienced or seen, then gradually develops the more I daydream about it.

WO: Lastly, if you could choose one fictional animal/creature to be a pet or companion, who would it be and why?

KEM: One hundred per cent a beautiful mermaid to hang around with! I’ve had a bit of an obsession with them for as long as I can remember.

You can connect with K.E. Milligan on X (formerly Twitter): @KEMilligan87 and on Amazon: amazon.co.uk/K-E-Milligan/e/B0BS9WK1BW

The Exposure is available to buy from Amazon: amazon.co.uk/Exposure-K-Milligan/dp/180074529X, Olympia Publishers: olympiapublishers.com/book/the-exposure and Waterstones: waterstones.com/book/the-exposure/k-e-milligan/9781800745292

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Issue 18 of Write On! is out now and you can read it online here. Find it in libraries and other outlets. You can find previous editions of our magazines here.

You can hear great new ideas, creative work and writing tips on Write On! Audio. Find us on all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Google Podcasts and Spotify. Type Pen to Print into your browser and look for our logo, or find us on Podcasters.Spotify.com.

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