Meet One of Our Knight Authors: Taylor Simonds ’16
The Book Nook at UCF Knight Market this year will showcase 12 alumni authors. Leading up to the event, we will be spotlighting our Book Nook authors!
Meet Taylor Simonds ’16!
Tell us a little about yourself!
I am currently an attorney, formerly a WDW performer. I love thrifting, baking, and anything that requires a themed costume. My favorite thing in the world has always been reading.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I think I wrote my first “book” when I was about seven—it was about five orphan siblings who were separated as infants, each with a magical amulet that granted them a special power they had to find each other to properly use. I don’t remember what happened to them, but I don’t think I’ve really stopped trying to tell stories since!
What’s your writing process? What inspires your writing?
I’m a big proponent of Spotify playlists and Pinterest boards—I often write like I’m storyboarding a film, using reference images and instrumental scores to set the stage for each scene/chapter before diving in. The inspiration for each book has been different, but overall I think I really like telling familiar stories from unfamiliar points of view. I’m also very inspired by music in general—I always have “theme songs” for each character to help me fall into their headspace, and my second book in particular was partially inspired by the song “Astronomical” by SVRCINA, which made me imagine someone drowning in outer space.
What was a class or club at UCF that helped you grow as a writer?
N/A, unfortunately—I was a marketing major involved in collegiate a cappella, neither of which lent themselves super well to creative writing! Writing was always something I did for myself separately from work or school.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Ashley Poston, Allison Saft, Eva Ibbotson, Ava Reid—anyone with fantastical, lyrical, romantic prose and/or cinematic, emotional plots driven by larger-than-life characters.
What else?! What are you currently working on right now?
I am currently working on a dual-timeline ghost story somewhat inspired by The Haunting of Bly Manor, but from the perspective of the ghost. It is a traumatic experience and I look forward to it being done in 5-7 business years.
My Books:
AN INFINITE PULL- a loose reimagining of The Little Mermaid set in a version of outer space inspired by Disney’s Treasure Planet; COLLATERAL DAMAGE- The Marvel Cinematic Universe from the perspective of a background extra with no powers.
