Never Too Old For Y.A. & N.A. Books discussion

Ok members this is our 2nd Indie Author Interview for this month and it's with Christine Hughes, author of . This is our 21st Author Interview and it is conducted by one of our moderators. Please read this interview and we hope you will be able to pick up lessons about her experience. If there are any questions you would like to ask Christine Hughes please post any comments you wish. Thank you!!


1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? 
I've known I loved to write for a very long time. I'd always imagined writing for a living but I did nt' really know I wanted to be a writer until I started writing TORN in 2010

2. How long does it take you to write a book? 
Depends. TORN took almost a year, the next one coming out (Three Days of Rain) took less than 6 months and I am halfway finished with the sequel to TORN in less than 8 weeks.

3. What do you think makes a great story?
I think the ability to transport me away is the cornerstone of a great story. I was swept away, with many others, when I read Harry Potter. I was running with Guy Montag in Fahrenheit 451. Pull me away from the world and have the ability to evoke emotion. I just read My Emily by Matt Patterson and cried almost the whole way through. I read The Art of Racing in the Rain and was a mess. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult also resonated with me. I read it when I was teaching - so scary. 

4. What is your work schedule like when you're writing? 

I generally write very early in the morning, generally around 5am is when I get up. I write for a few hours consistently then write sporadically or not at all the rest of the day. 

5. How do you balance family and writing?

It is difficult, especially now that it's summer and my tow boys are home with me. I try to balance by writing early and closing the laptop for a bit when my husband first gets home from work so I'm not distracted.

6. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books? 

Mostly form songs. All I Need by Within Temptation inspired the story behind TORN, as Beautiful Lie by 30 Seconds to Mars inspired a relationship between the main character, Samantha and a new character, Damien, in the sequel. A song titled Three Days of Rain, written and performed by my friend Jason (Jay) Liberatore inspire my second novel of the same name. (You can find his song on Spotify)

7. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? 

That one draft doesn't cut it!Gosh, I hate revising and editing and I'm not very good at it but I am getting better. It's a learning process. Thank goodness I had great beta readers and my publisher, Black Opal Books, has a great team of very patient editors.

8. How many books have you written? Which is your favourite? 

Two and a half. TORN might be my first love since it was first but Three Days of Rain will always have my heart. I can't tell you how many times tears fell to the keyboard as I was writing. The sequel to TORN is much darker than the first so we'll see where it lands. I'm having fun torturing my characters. :)

9. Are your characters based on anyone you know?

My husband says yes, I say no. I just write what I know and, since I dislike research, I only do what I need to in order to make the story believable - like geographical locations and other minor points. 

10. Do you have a favourite place you love to write?

Ahh, my back deck on a summer morning.

11. How hard is is to self-publish or get published?

I think it's difficult but I was lucky. I was picked up by Black Opal Books less than 4 months after I began the query process. 

12. What do your family and friends think about your books?

They love them, or so I am told :). I have a 15 year-old sister in law who was the first to read TORN. She started on a Saturday and called me at 10 o'clock on Sunday night screaming about how much she loved it! We talked for over an hour with her giving me insights, what she liked, what she loved, what could be better. It was great.

13. What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I like to read, go to the pool with my kids, walk around some of the small towns around here like Princeton and New Hope. I love going to the beach, visiting with family. I do lots of things.

14. Do you have any suggestions to help aspiring writers better themselves and their craft? If so, what are they? 

Get some honest beta readers. Don't rely on someone who is going to blow sunshine up your you-know-what. Learn to take criticism. Be open to change. Be gracious to anyone and everyone who is part of this process - bloggers, reviewers, beta readers, editors, publishers, agents - whoever. Don't stop reading. And never, ever stop writing.

15. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? 

My dad is a Blackhawk pilot for the Army. I wanted to either do that or be a fighter jet pilot.

16. What are your favourite books and which authors inspire you?

My favorite book is Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. That story was so beyond its time. Unreal. Inspiration? I find it everywhere. From JK Rowling and her napkin notes, Stephenie Meyer writing as a stay-at-home-mom, Hemingway's "balls-out" approach to life, Matt Patterson's courage, Brett Easton Ellis' ability to make me question "what the hell did I just read?", Robert Frost's smooth control of the english language, Shakespeare's ability to write so many freaking lines in iambic pentameter - I mean seriously? How did he do that?
 
17. For an aspiring writer what do you feel are certain do's and don’ts for getting their material published?

Do keep trying. Don't stop. Do be gracious. Don't get outwardly angry when things don't go your way. In this business, I am finding they rarely do. Do perfect your prose. Don't assume one draft is enough. Do believe in yourself. Always. Don't lose hope.

18. What are you working on now?

I am currently in the process of writing the as yet untitled sequel to TORN. I am in 2nd round edits with the soon to be published (date coming soon) Three Days of Rain, a Women's Fiction with a male protagonist - it's a bit of a tear jerker.

Thank you Christine for doing this interview :) I really love that you 30 Seconds to Mars and that song is fabulous...great to know that it inspired you...also, I feel the same way after reading anything by Bret Easton Ellis he really knows how to blow your mind away :)

Great interview! Music inspires me too, and has provoked thoughts that rescued me from block many times! Torn looks awesome! :)

Thanks so much! I need a playlist when I write and I've discovered some great bands and great songs along the way. I try to post the most inspirational songs I come across on my blog under the tab Musical Muse
http://christine-hughes.com

Very nice interview. I am putting Torn on my TBR list right now!

Thank you, Tina! I'd love to know what you think :)

Great interview, Christine. And, Torn sounds so good, I've put it on my wish-list! :)

As soon as I read it, I will post a review for you. I love the Indie Author interviews. It's a great way to find new and amazing books. I have loved all the books so far and I am sure I will enjoy yours as well. Looking forward to reading Torn.

I enjoyed that interview. Great stuff!

Great interview, I love the humor in the answers.

I enjoyed your interview! Very insightful. I wish you the best with Torn and the sequel! (And your dad is awesome, just sayin')

:) Thanks. In case you're interested, the e-version of TORN is only $1.99 for the month of September - figured I'd celebrate my birthday month with anyone interested in purchasing :)

Thanks, Amy. My dad is pretty awesome :) He's coming home from a deployment as we speak!

Great interview! Thanks for sharing so many insights and good advice, Christine.
http://www.julielcasey.com/

:)

Thanks for letting us know about the reduced Kindle price, Christine! I bought it. Can't wait to read it. :)

Thanks so much for the interview Christine!
DO you think my husband will let me drag him to Collingswood for our anniversary??? LOL!

Julie wrote: "Thanks for letting us know about the reduced Kindle price, Christine! I bought it. Can't wait to read it. :)"

No problem! I figured I'd draw out my birthday and celebrate with you all!

Brooke (The Cover Contessa) wrote: "Thanks so much for the interview Christine!
DO you think my husband will let me drag him to Collingswood for our anniversary??? LOL!"

I am pretty sure there are great restaurants there down there...if not, it's close to Philly - you could go there after. It's from 10-4.... You might have to make some promises... LOL

Christine wrote: "Brooke (The Cover Contessa) wrote: "Thanks so much for the interview Christine!
DO you think my husband will let me drag him to Collingswood for our anniversary??? LOL!"

I am pretty sure there are..."

Hmmm...maybe Philly for an overnight??? TEE HEE!!!! LOL!

Brooke (The Cover Contessa) wrote: "Christine wrote: "Brooke (The Cover Contessa) wrote: "Thanks so much for the interview Christine!
DO you think my husband will let me drag him to Collingswood for our anniversary??? LOL!"

I am pre..."

Exactly!!!! ;)

Great interview! I've found myself listening to music and coming up with stories to go with it.

That's how I work! Hope it works for you too!