Hey gang! I'm honored and thrilled to have fellow author, Christine Hughes, here on my blog today! Christine's young adult/paranormal novel is taking the world by storm and you would be seriously missing out on a fantastic story if you didn't get this book!
1. What’s the first thing you did when
you received word you’d sold a book?
When
I first received word of my impending contract from Black Opal Books, I pretty
much called everyone I could think of and danced around the kitchen with my
kids. My husband ran out and bought some wine and a bottle of champagne, which
neither of us really drink. We popped the cork and drank the whole bottle
sitting on the back deck dreaming and talking about the fact that one of my
dreams was being realized. I still have that cork with the date written on it
safely tucked away in my jewelry box.
2. What part of
the book is the easiest for you to write? Why?
The middle of the book seems to be the easiest for
me. I find more flow issues and errors in the beginning and closure needs
towards the end. The middle seems to be my playground. I think it’s because,
when I write, I have the story in my head but not necessarily how the story
began and I always have trouble closing out and saying goodbye. I’m hoping to
get started soon on a sequel to TORN. I think the characters have more to say
and I haven’t really given them a proper goodbye yet.
3. What part of
the book is the hardest for you? Why?
The hardest part of writing is crafting the
beginning and closing out the end. I want the open to draw readers in and I
want them to be able to let go at the end of the story. Funny enough, my
husband and I have been noticing many of the TV shows we watch have that “hook”
in the beginning, right before the opening credits and commercial. I am trying
to incorporate more of that into my writing.
4. Who is your
favorite character in your book and why?
I have a soft spot for all of my characters.
Honestly, Sebastian is probably my favorite. He reminds me of a cross between
chaos and beauty. He’s evil but it’s so natural for him to be so that he almost
doesn’t necessarily “get it” that he’s so hated. He can’t quite understand it –
he truly feels his calling is true.
5. If one of
your books became a movie, which celebrity would you like to star as one of
your heroines? Tell us about your heroine.
Samantha is a seventeen-year old girl who gets
thrust into this battle between two factions of fallen angels. The Faithful,
who work to atone for the sins of their fallen ancestors, and the Exiled, who
revel in the sins of the fallen. It comes to light that not only was her father
killed by the leader of the Exiled, she was betrayed by her best friend. And
the little fact that part of her feeds on the darkness of the Exiled even
though she knows she should follow the Faithful begins to change her into what
she hates most. Candace Accola, from Vampire Diaries, would totally rock as
Samantha. One can dream….
6. If one of
your books became a movie, which celebrity would you like to star as one of
your heroes? Tell us about your hero.
Oh my. I have done A LOT of thinking about this one….
Jesse Williams from Grey’s Anatomy is Sebastian! As a matter of fact, when I
was describing him in the book, Jesse was who I was thinking of.
7.
Do you eat comfort food when writing? If so, what food inspires your
imagination?
8. What’s your
strongest point as a writer?
I think my strongest point so far is the ability to see someone else’s point of view when it comes to my books. My beta readers have been fantastic with feedback and I’ve used quite a bit of it. My first round editor, Cora, also had some great suggestions and I found when I implemented them my writing was so much stronger. I can only hope that I’m this laid back when it comes to criticism of my books.
I think my strongest point so far is the ability to see someone else’s point of view when it comes to my books. My beta readers have been fantastic with feedback and I’ve used quite a bit of it. My first round editor, Cora, also had some great suggestions and I found when I implemented them my writing was so much stronger. I can only hope that I’m this laid back when it comes to criticism of my books.
9. What genre would you like to try writing in but haven’t yet done so? Why?
I
would love to write a psychological thriller or horror. Scary movies and
psychological stuff really bugs me out and I’d like to try to get past it by
writing about it. One of my favorite movies is The Shining by Stephen King. I
bought the book years ago and it still sits in my house waiting for me to read
it. I’ve been too scared to pick it up! Also any type of horror/psychological
stuff that deals with religion creeps me out. The Exorcist, The First Power,
The Omen….I can’t watch any of them. I don’t know what it is – creeptastic!
Maybe if I tried to write one, I’d be able to watch one…hmmmm.
The following is an excerpt from Torn:
I knew it was dangerous,
but the voice was so tempting...
Samannnnthaaaa...
Unable to speak, I wiped the beads of
sweat from my forehead and looked around. I swung my head toward the window and
peered outside, searching for the source of the taunting voice. Where was he? The sky had darkened significantly and
just beyond the trees I saw a swirling shadow that seemed to pulse. The
vegetation surrounding it had withered, becoming gray and lifeless as though
the shadow had sucked up all of the energy. A faint hum filled the air, growing
louder as the shadow pulsed faster.
Samannnnnnthaaaa...It’s
time. Join us.
“Where are you?” I could barely get the
words out. “What do you want from me?” This voice had plagued me for months and
I wanted to know for sure it was Sebastian, yet the thought of finally knowing,
finally seeing him, scared me more than the uncertainty.
The voice chuckled. Join us and I will show you everything.
“Never,” I whispered. “Never. My father
died protecting me. I will never come to you.”
Again, a high-pitched and foul laugh
rang in my head, making it spin. Dark clouds rolled ominously overhead, the
wind picked up and the dull humming became inescapable white noise. Silly girl. You will come to us. You will
make the choice. It is your destiny.
Despite my protest, I stepped toward the
window then, leaning over the sink, I reached up to unlock it. My reflection
was unrecognizable in the glass. My hair was wild and my eyes were huge and
black as shadows emanated from within me. Whatever was out there was reaching
for me with ghostly fingers, and as I opened the window, a dark mist snaked
toward the house. I closed my eyes in giddy anticipation of the unknown.
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/HughesWriter
Thanks for having me Melissa!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview Melissa! Jesse Williams... YUMMY. And I hear you about writing a scary story. My hubby and I are horror movie buffs and The Shining is one of our favs.
ReplyDeleteGreat job with the interview you guys. I'm such a horror fan. Stephen King, Dean Koontz, you name it. Unlike Leslie, my husband and 2 son who are 20 and 23 are big fat chickens, LOL. Thankfully, my 17 year old daughter takes after me and we go and see or rent the scary one together.
ReplyDeleteGood luck Christine and I'm sure someday you'll write that thriller :)
Good job you guys! And, I'm totally not trying to step on your toes, but yesterday my friend Rayne did a guest post on my blog (www.livrancourt.com) talking about her new book, Writing Scary Scenes. She's a great teacher and has written lots of horror, too.
ReplyDeleteJust in case, you know...
;)