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Christine Hughes

Goodreads Author

Born

in The United States

September 27, 1976

Website

http://christine-hughes.com

Twitter

HughesWriter

Genre

Young Adult, Literature & Fiction

Member Since

September 2011

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/hugheswriter

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I’ve always wanted to write. Ever since I was little, I would craft stories and poems but the idea to actually do it “for real” never really crossed my mind until last year. After sitting on three paragraphs of what would eventually become my first novel, I decided to expand upon what I had. At the time I had no real idea of where the story would go, I just knew I had the time to do something with it.

I hadn’t researched market trends, I had no idea about query letters or the evil synopsis, and I was green on the idea of agents and editors and all that is publishing, really. I just wanted to write something I enjoyed. I didn’t plot, outline, or character build, I just wrote. And then an author friend mentioned that I should take my writing t I’ve always wanted to write. Ever since I was little, I would craft stories and poems but the idea to actually do it “for real” never really crossed my mind until last year. After sitting on three paragraphs of what would eventually become my first novel, I decided to expand upon what I had. At the time I had no real idea of where the story would go, I just knew I had the time to do something with it.

I hadn’t researched market trends, I had no idea about query letters or the evil synopsis, and I was green on the idea of agents and editors and all that is publishing, really. I just wanted to write something I enjoyed. I didn’t plot, outline, or character build, I just wrote. And then an author friend mentioned that I should take my writing to a conference.

So with the confidence that my novel would surely be welcomed by all who read it, I signed up for as many seminars and critiques as I could. I knew someone would love it. In those two days, I found out I had a lot to learn.

Funny, but as a former English teacher, you’d think I’d have figured out the importance of editing and revision and revising again. You’d think I’d have known that the first draft is just that, a draft. And when the critiques started coming in, I thought I was done for. Not that the premise wasn’t good (I was told it was), not that the characters weren’t believable (I was told they were), but I used too much passive voice, I tense shifted and there were some holes in the plotline.

A few agents really liked it, but the market trend couldn’t support it. Some were not fond of the way I told the story. I queried and queried my way to 57 flat out rejections and a number of partial and full requests that didn’t pan out. But along the way I got some great criticism and pointers and I made the story better. Then, on a whim, I trolled the SavvyAuthors website and signed up for a three line pitch to editor Lauri Wellington and I did a happy dance when she requested my full manuscript.

A month later, she responded that she loved the story and the concept but it moved too slowly but I could resubmit if I revised. I informed her I sent her a revision that was based on the opinions of agents, authors and peers but I had the original (cleaned up, of course) and I was sending it in to see if it was more of what she was looking for. And guess what? It was! One caveat, I had to revise the manuscript into past tense. Easy peasy, right? Wrong.

Revising into past tense from present is line editing your entire novel. And it kinda stinks. By the end, I thought my eyes were gonna start bleeding and pop out onto my keyboard. But you know what? That little “exercise” tightened up what was loose, filled in any plot holes that might’ve still been there and forced me to realize I could be a better writer.

The road to publication can be long. It can be a hop, skip and a jump from your first query. Nothing in publication is set in stone. The market is always changing. And the biggest thing I learned is that it’s all subjective. Agents A-Y may pass but all you need is Agent or Editor Z to believe in you as much as you believe in yourself. And I believe in my first novel. And I am happy that Black Opal Books does too. I hope you do, as well.
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Christine Hughes’s books

Average rating: 3.93 · 1,165 ratings · 392 reviews · 5 distinct works

	Three Days of Rain 3.90 avg rating — 415 ratings — published 2012 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Torn (Torn #1) 3.93 avg rating — 300 ratings — published 2013 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Operation: One Night Stand 3.90 avg rating — 240 ratings — published 2015 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Operation Foreplay 3.94 avg rating — 126 ratings — published 2015 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Darkness Betrayed (Torn #2) 4.12 avg rating — 84 ratings — published 2013 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Christine Hughes's Blog

Labor of Love Blog Hop

Welcome to the Labor of Love BlogHop!!!!! From sweet to dark, divas of romance work their fingers to the bone for your reading pleasure in the Labor of Love Bloghop from 9/4-9/6. Join us and enter to win a Kindle … Continue reading →

Series by Christine Hughes

Torn Series (2 books)
by

Christine Hughes (Goodreads Author)

3.97 avg rating — 384 ratings

Christine is Currently Reading

Christine Hughes is currently reading

Cracked

by K.M. Walton (Goodreads Author)

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Nov 21, 2017 07:34AM

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Talented (Talented Saga, #1)

by Sophie Davis (Goodreads Author)

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Mar 27, 2013 07:40AM

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Chancing Faith

by Empi Baryeh (Goodreads Author)

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Apr 11, 2012 05:41AM

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
The Seasonal Read...: 30.7 - Catherine T's task: Hang the Christmas Stockings with Care	98	162	Feb 11, 2015 02:58AM
The Seasonal Read...: Winter Challenge 2014: Reading Plans	55	554	Feb 19, 2015 03:31PM

Christine’s Quotes

“You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.”
― Ray Bradbury

tags: culture, reading

11786 likes

“There is more than one way to burn a book. And the world is full of people running about with lit matches.”
― Ray Bradbury

tags: censorship

2657 likes

“We know what we are, but not what we may be.”
― William Shakespeare

5125 likes

“What do you read, my lord?
HAMLET: Words, words, words.”
― William Shakespeare, Hamlet

53 likes

“There is no pretending," Jace said with absolute clarity. "I love you, and I will love you until I die, and if there is life after that, I'll love you then.”
― Cassandra Clare, City of Glass

tags: mortal-instruments, romance, teen-fantasy

20404 likes

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Christine’s Groups

Lovers of Paranormal — 10684 members — last activity Sep 05, 2026 05:31AM
If, like us, you enjoy anything paranormal, then this place is for you. This is a bookclub dedicated to Paranormal (YA & Adult) Fantasy, dystopia, sci ...more

Never Too Old For Y.A. & N.A. Books — 7896 members — last activity Sep 13, 2026 06:52AM
This group is for Young and New Adult readers. For those who believe in Angels, Vampires, Werewolves, Fairies and other mythical and supernatural crea ...more

Goodreads Authors/Readers — 57610 members — last activity 40 minutes ago
This group is dedicated to connecting readers with Goodreads authors. It is divided by genres, and includes folders for writing resources, book websit ...more

Crazy for Young Adult Books — 12842 members — last activity Dec 25, 2025 10:38AM
Buddy Reads: Requests - In Progress - Upcoming A-Z: 2024 Grp Page Count Challenge: 2024 Jan - March Qrtly Challenge: 2023 Series Challenge: 2024 Ge ...more

Indie Authors & Fans of Indie Books — 780 members — last activity Aug 13, 2026 04:54AM
Discover indies and discuss resources. Independent authors can post about their books and projects, and readers can discover new indie books. Tell oth ...more

Shut Up & Read — 9927 members — last activity 2 hours, 30 min ago
A place for all types of readers.

Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Addicts — 14721 members — last activity 2 hours, 51 min ago
The Best Place for PNR & UF Junkies ► A group for everyone who loves paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and related sub-genres like vampires, dragon ...more

The Perks Of Being A Book Addict — 37829 members — last activity 6 hours, 41 min ago
This group is for anyone who loves books from different genres. Every month we have group Books of the Month which you can join, reading challenges, a ...more

Christine Hughes Books — 52 members — last activity Nov 23, 2015 02:15PM
This group is for discussion of all books by author Christine Hughes. Join us for the latest book news, group exclusives, events, and giveaways!

Make a book a bestseller — 944 members — last activity Dec 24, 2020 05:16AM
If a bunch of people can get Betty White to host Saturday Night Live seems like we can make a great book(s) a bestseller.

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