Ask the Author: Heidi Heilig
Answered Questions (12)
Heidi Heilig
"There's a monster in my closet," I tell her, but mom just laughs and turns out the light.
I hear her footsteps fading down the hall and then a soft, breathy whisper in my ear: "Not anymore."
I hear her footsteps fading down the hall and then a soft, breathy whisper in my ear: "Not anymore."
Heidi Heilig
Some of my favorite books are THE MONSTRUMOLOGIST series by Rick Yancey, where I first recognized a bipolar character (like me!) on the page. I also adored WINTERSONG by S. J. Jones for the same reason (as well as the lush writing.) And a recent favorite was DREAD NATION, also a historical fantasy book heavy on the history, like my own.
Since I'm a theatre nerd, I also love Tom Stoppard's plays, especially ARCADIA and THE INVENTION OF LOVE.
And if you're into video games, I'm probably flattering myself to say that BRAID is the video game that reminds me most of TGFE. I love that game.
Since I'm a theatre nerd, I also love Tom Stoppard's plays, especially ARCADIA and THE INVENTION OF LOVE.
And if you're into video games, I'm probably flattering myself to say that BRAID is the video game that reminds me most of TGFE. I love that game.
Heidi Heilig
The Na'ath (or Nuer, according to non-Na'ath people) are a real people who live in Sudan! More information here: http://www.gurtong.net/Peoples/ThePeo...
Heidi Heilig
It was! It was also, I'm realizing, the book of my heart, so I got very lucky. I used to write for theatre, though, so it's not the first full length story I've ever written. But it took a lot of rewriting to get it into query-able form.
Heidi Heilig
DON'T. RUN. RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN.
Seriously, do it if you want to but be aware that time loops and twists can be brain breaking, especially when there are sequels. I also recommend working from the ending backwards--figure out the twist first, then write towards it, so you can foreshadow and make it seem really pleasing and also surprising.
I'm making it sound easy but really these books took a lot of thinking and rewriting, so don't get down on yourself if it takes a while!
Seriously, do it if you want to but be aware that time loops and twists can be brain breaking, especially when there are sequels. I also recommend working from the ending backwards--figure out the twist first, then write towards it, so you can foreshadow and make it seem really pleasing and also surprising.
I'm making it sound easy but really these books took a lot of thinking and rewriting, so don't get down on yourself if it takes a while!
Heidi Heilig
Hi! No, there are no more books planned in the series, though of course the characters live on in my head and I'd love to revisit them someday in some capacity.
Currently I'm working on a new series, the first of which is here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Currently I'm working on a new series, the first of which is here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Heidi Heilig
School had it's ups and downs. I was bullied, I was manifesting my bipolar disorder, things were fraught. But I also fell in love and had adventures and read wonderful books, so all was not lost!
Heidi Heilig
I'm obsessed with myth and history and regret and time and love and the sea. That was it, really.
Heidi Heilig
Aw thank you! You know i just turned it in to my editor a couple weeks ago. So it coming, inexorably, born to you on the currents of time ... and all that jazz.
Heidi Heilig
This is actually a lot of questions in one! :) I'll try to keep the answer brief:
The bulk of the work of actually getting the deal was done by my agent (i don't want to take credit where it isn't due!) I wrote the book and was going to throw it on Wattpad, but then my mom (who always has good ideas) told me I should try to find an agent, so I did.
I gave myself 6 months to try (after which I told myself I'd just go back to the original idea of Wattpad and writing whatever was next). Then I worked on the Query Letter (QueryShark was a HUGE resource for me), and then just searched for YA agents who rep'd fantasy and historical novels. I sent queries to something like 17 agents over the course of 3 months. Two of them ended up offering rep, and I chose Molly at The Bent Agency. Together, we did one round of revisions with her, and then about 4 months after we signed our contract, she sold the book using her special agent magic. It wasn't too time consuming or difficult (for me) though I'm certain she was running around and doing a ton of work!
After the whole editing process--i actually am not 100% sure since I only JUST finished. Between big-picture edits, line edits, copy edits, and post-ARC tweaking, there is a lot of editing! I think the book is only now (two and a half months out) finally ready for print. In the meantime, I'm working on a lot of blog posts and scheduling time away for various trips to book events next year. Soon i might plan a launch party? I'm eager to see what comes next.
My favorite part hands-down has been all the wonderful people I've met on this journey. The people at HarperCollins and at Hotkey, the book community, fellow authors and bloggers and of course readers. As a writer, you spend a lot of time hanging out with the people you made up, and i never could have imagined a community as vibrant and welcoming as this one.
The bulk of the work of actually getting the deal was done by my agent (i don't want to take credit where it isn't due!) I wrote the book and was going to throw it on Wattpad, but then my mom (who always has good ideas) told me I should try to find an agent, so I did.
I gave myself 6 months to try (after which I told myself I'd just go back to the original idea of Wattpad and writing whatever was next). Then I worked on the Query Letter (QueryShark was a HUGE resource for me), and then just searched for YA agents who rep'd fantasy and historical novels. I sent queries to something like 17 agents over the course of 3 months. Two of them ended up offering rep, and I chose Molly at The Bent Agency. Together, we did one round of revisions with her, and then about 4 months after we signed our contract, she sold the book using her special agent magic. It wasn't too time consuming or difficult (for me) though I'm certain she was running around and doing a ton of work!
After the whole editing process--i actually am not 100% sure since I only JUST finished. Between big-picture edits, line edits, copy edits, and post-ARC tweaking, there is a lot of editing! I think the book is only now (two and a half months out) finally ready for print. In the meantime, I'm working on a lot of blog posts and scheduling time away for various trips to book events next year. Soon i might plan a launch party? I'm eager to see what comes next.
My favorite part hands-down has been all the wonderful people I've met on this journey. The people at HarperCollins and at Hotkey, the book community, fellow authors and bloggers and of course readers. As a writer, you spend a lot of time hanging out with the people you made up, and i never could have imagined a community as vibrant and welcoming as this one.
Heidi Heilig
At this very moment, I'm working on avoiding finishing book 2, which is why I'm hanging out on Goodreads. And let me just say, this much avoiding is HARD WORK, my friends.
Heidi Heilig
My advice to aspiring writers? Stop calling yourself aspiring--just call yourself a writer. Start now! I still struggle with calling myself a writer and I have a book coming out in a year, and two more due according to a contract with my name signed at the bottom--not in blood, but in ink, which is much harder to wash away.
For writers aspiring to be better writers (and I think all writers are), my advice is to read--not just for fun, but also critically. For me, each book is a lesson--How One Writer Did It!-- as well as a story. It's the best way to learn, thinking about what I loved and what I didn't and why.
For writers aspiring to be better writers (and I think all writers are), my advice is to read--not just for fun, but also critically. For me, each book is a lesson--How One Writer Did It!-- as well as a story. It's the best way to learn, thinking about what I loved and what I didn't and why.
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