Written Interview
Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do outside of writing. What is a day in the life like for you?
When I’m not writing, I love immersing myself in other creative outlets. I work as a model and content creator, which allows me to explore storytelling in visual form and collaborate with creatives who inspire me. It’s a fun, expressive balance to the introspective nature of writing. I also train in boxing a few times a week at my local gym—it’s a great way to stay grounded, clear my head, and challenge myself physically.
What inspired your first book? What was the thing that got you into writing in the first place?
Throughout my life, I’ve always reached for words as comfort. I’d collect quotes in my journals as evidence that I was never truly alone in what I was feeling, and it was always a dream of mine that I’d one day write something that resonated with someone in the same way. Journaling was always a consistent practice of mine, and overtime, poetry became my natural outlet for emotional expression.
What pushed me to publish was the encouragement of my friends. At their suggestion, I began sharing my poems on Instagram, and the heartfelt responses I received made me realize my words had value. As I wrote through experiences of love, heartbreak, and personal growth, I felt compelled to share my journey, hoping it might help someone else feel seen in theirs.
How do you come up with characters? Are they spontaneous or meticulously planned?
The inspiration for my poetry comes directly from my life. Sometimes the writing is more literal, and other times I use metaphor and characters to explore emotions or relationships in a more creative way. For example, there’s a poem in my book where I embodied Portia from Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice as a lens to write about a particular relationship dynamic. Poems tend to come to me in different ways—some more easily than others. It’s really about finding the right entry point. Sometimes that’s a specific feeling or theme I’m drawn to, and other times it begins with a single line that appears in my mind and expands from there.
What are some of your favorite genres to read? Are there any books you’d recommend to first time readers or people looking for something new?
It should come as no surprise that I read a lot of poetry. For women, two poetry collections I highly recommend are Poems and Peonies and Lovers by Chelsie Diane. She leads an international poetry group for women that I’m fortunate to be a part of.
What’s the most difficult thing about being a writer?
One of the hardest things about being a writer is navigating the space between the desire to create and the absence of inspiration. There are times when the words simply won’t come, or I can’t quite grasp how to articulate what I’m feeling. In those moments, I try not to force it. Instead, I let the work breathe. I’ll write down what I can—fragments, lines, scattered thoughts—and then step away. When I return, often days later, the distance brings clarity and a fresh perspective that helps the piece finally take shape.
As a poet, I believe authenticity is at the heart of the craft. That’s why emotional vulnerability can be one of the hardest, yet most important, aspects of the process. I find that in order to write my best work, I have to let go of how it might be received and focus on what feels true for me. When I’m able to do that, I often find that those are the pieces that resonate most deeply with readers. Still, it’s always a challenge to move past— or at least set aside— the fear of judgment and resist the urge to self-censor.
What is your process to completing a novel from outline to final product?
My process for completing Alive was quite intuitive and emotionally driven. I didn’t start with an outline—instead, I wrote what I needed to write in the moment, letting the words come as they wanted to. When I reached a natural stopping point, I gathered all the poems I felt were strong contenders for the book and began organizing them into loose categories based on theme and tone.
Unlike many poetry collections that are divided into clear sections, I wanted mine to flow as a continuous emotional and thematic journey—more like a narrative that unfolds with each page. Once the manuscript felt complete, I chose a few images to pair with select poems, adding a visual layer to complement the writing. I then collaborated with a formatter to bring the interior layout to life and organized a photoshoot to create the book cover. Once both the design and formatting were finalized, I pulled all the elements together and moved forward with self-publishing.
What’s the most unhinged thing you’ve written in your novel? Don’t worry, we don’t judge here.
Honestly, anything “unhinged” that I wrote didn’t make it out of the drafts! Haha.
What’s one thing about being a writer that absolutely drives you up the wall?
One thing that really gets under my skin is the conversation around AI authorship. Writing is such a sacred, deeply personal craft, and it’s frustrating to see people present AI-generated content as if it were their own original work. It undermines the authenticity and vulnerability that go into creating something truly human.
What does being a successful writer look like for you? What type of life do you want to live as a writer?
Success for me is about making a meaningful impact. While writing my book was a deeply personal and healing process, I always held the hope that sharing my story might offer something valuable to others. Every time I receive a message from someone who says my words resonated with them, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and fulfillment. That, to me, is the heart of it—the invisible thread between writer and reader, the community built through shared vulnerabilty.
As a writer, I want to live a life deeply immersed in creativity and art. Being an author is just one aspect of who I am—it’s the foundation that launched my creative career and visibility as an artist. Through Alive, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with so many incredible creatives, and I’m excited to continue expanding the reach of my book to foster future collaborations. Ultimately, I want my life to be a constant source of inspiration for my writing projects, filled with experiences and connections that fuel my creativity.
Describe your writing journey. If you had to write a story centered around it, do you think you could pull it off?
My writing journey began in the quiet, private space of my journal—words meant only for me, and occasionally shared with a close friend. Over time, those intimate reflections made their way into the world, first as single poems posted to Instagram, and eventually as a full manuscript. What began as a solitary act grew into something much larger: navigating the intricacies of publishing, shaping a book, and finding community with fellow poets and readers across the globe.
It still feels surreal to reflect on how this work evolved—to see it take shape, become real, and exist beyond me in the hands of others. There is so much that happens during the process of writing a book—the tender, often unseen moments of doubt, revision, and quiet persistence. I know I could write a story centered on this journey. I’m deeply grateful for the joy and community that sharing my writing has brought into my life.
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About
A dynamic storyteller, Kara Dobias has honored her need for creative expression by working across mediums. In addition to being a poet, she is a classically trained operatic soprano, actress, and dancer with a degree in Theatre Arts from Drew University. For her, creativity is a way of life—a continuous journey of self-discovery and a means to connect with the world around her. In her debut poetry book, Alive, she explores how metaphor can act as medicine, helping us to hold a mirror to ourselves.
Through her work, she hopes to leave an imprint that resonates with authenticity and speaks to our shared humanity.
For more of her work, visit karadobias.com or connect with her on Instagram @karadobias
Social Media
Website: www.karadobias.com
Instagram: @karadobias
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