Ask the Author: Tani Hanes
Answered Questions (12)
Tani Hanes
I just try to think of stories that would be satisfying to read, for the most part, stories that I might want to read. I like stories with a little angst, lots of feelings, and a happy ending, so that's what I write. And I'm glad you're learning lots of new words!
Tani Hanes
Hello, pretty girl!!
And yes, I do like third person POV better, because there's so much more freedom *swings arms and jumps about*, and I believe my writing style did change a little? There were so many thing I couldn't write about in first, you know? I couldn't even say that someone thought the person I was writing about was pretty without making her sound vain, which I didn't like at all. I didn't like being so close to her self-awareness all the time, if that makes sense. There were certainly more switches to pull and manipulate in third, but I liked the feeling of dexterity that came from that, and I liked being able to narrate as myself, and not having to worry if I sounded legitimately like the shy, quiet girl who was supposed to be narrating in the UK Crush books.
Great question!
And yes, I do like third person POV better, because there's so much more freedom *swings arms and jumps about*, and I believe my writing style did change a little? There were so many thing I couldn't write about in first, you know? I couldn't even say that someone thought the person I was writing about was pretty without making her sound vain, which I didn't like at all. I didn't like being so close to her self-awareness all the time, if that makes sense. There were certainly more switches to pull and manipulate in third, but I liked the feeling of dexterity that came from that, and I liked being able to narrate as myself, and not having to worry if I sounded legitimately like the shy, quiet girl who was supposed to be narrating in the UK Crush books.
Great question!
Tani Hanes
You know I love you, Crystal! Thank you for loving my work. I love your questions, and I love your comments, keep them coming!!
Tani Hanes
Ooh, tricky!! I might go to Jenkinsville, Arkansas, the setting of Summer of My German Soldier. Any of you guys read that? A YA book, I guess. Coming of age? I don't know. One of my favorites. I wish Patty had left with Anton, I just really do. I'd try to get her to do that, I guess, try to get her to see her own value, her own beauty...kinda corny, I suppose, but every time I reread it, I hope she goes, and she never does...
Tani Hanes
Thank you so much for your kind words!! I began this series as a way for my students and me to get through the hiatus of a certain boyband. You know which one, right? We didn't know what we were going to do without them, so we decided I should write a fantasy wish fulfillment for us that would tick all the important boxes, you know, make all our dreams come true, with a perfect first kiss and all that good stuff. And my students had a list of qualities that they wanted the heroine to have, too, like she should look normal, and be smart, and be good at things, so I made her all that stuff, too. And things took off from there. It was only supposed to be one book, but I realized I had more story to tell, so I just kept going, and went on until I told all I had in me, I guess! I hope you like all of it :o)
Tani Hanes
I don't think so. As far as I can tell from my brief investigation online, a reverse harem involves multiple men in open competition for the affections of a single woman. This heroine is loved, maybe even adored, by the young men in the band, for many reasons, including simple proximity; they're on tour, and she's the only person around. And she's around all the time. And she's unlike anyone they've ever met, especially on tour. However, only one of the guys really provokes "those" feelings in her, and I think I make it pretty clear very early which guy that is. By the end of the book, she's made her choice, and the next SIX books are about these two as a couple, though of course the other boys in the band are always around, and are a surrogate family for her, since she grew up as a very isolated only child, then an orphan. Conflicts arise with one of the guys in a later book, but those feelings are on his end, not hers.
Tani Hanes
I had a fabulous teacher who gave the best advice: Never stop writing when you're stuck. Always, always stop when you know what you're going to write next. That way you don't dread going back to it and you don't put it off. Nothing is as daunting as knowing it's time to write and NOT knowing what you're going to put down. Stop writing at a point when you're excited about what comes next, when you know what you want you say, then writer's block becomes a non-issue.
Tani Hanes
FEEDBACK! It's so, so wonderful to hear from people who have read your work. Indescribable, really; even if the reader didn't like something, knowing that it's been read and pondered is just fantastic.
Tani Hanes
Sit down and begin!! Anyone, I believe, would rather have a so-so novel finished than three paragraphs of a never to be completed masterwork. It's very satisfying to finish, and you can't finish what you don't start!
Tani Hanes
Revising the sequels! So exciting!
Tani Hanes
I've always enjoyed reading, and the logical next step would be creating something for others to enjoy. I had a story in me that I wanted to get out, and I want to enjoy readers falling in love with my characters.
Tani Hanes
My daughter is a fan of a boy band, and was sad that they'd be "taking a break". I also thought that readers would appreciate reading about a band that really loved each other and enjoyed being together. I tried to write about places and things I knew (Japan, music, swimming) in a way that would be satisfying to readers.
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