Joey Paul's Blog, page 14

Interview With Melanie Hooyenga

I'd like to welcome Melanie Hooyenga to the blog today for an interview. I've reviewed a bunch of her books recently and wanted to share more about her as an author!

Onto the interview! 

 Do you have a set routine for writing?

Lately it seems to be “guilt trip myself until I sit down to write,” haha. Launching The Quiet Unraveling of Eve Ellaway took a lot of time and energy, and in the few weeks around the publication date, everything else had to wait. Now I’m trying to get back into my routine, which consists of me bringing a cup of tea to my office first thing in the morning, settling in my chaise chair, starting the playlist for my book, and writing for 45 minutes to an hour. I have an 8–5 day job, and writing first thing in the morning before the rest of the world and my responsibilities creep in leaves me feeling satisfied because I’ve accomplished one big to-do for the day.

I should point out that this is my ideal routine. All kinds of things can disrupt that routine, and I’m very cranky when they do, but life happens and I just make sure to do my best to get back to it the following day.

What's your favourite tip for newbie writers?

Keep writing and tell the voice in your head to shut up until you’ve finished the first draft. One of the most challenging things when you first start is believing that you can actually do it. (Honestly, that doesn’t go away, but it’s especially daunting on the first manuscript.) It’s tempting to polish and edit and make that first scene/passage/chapter perfect before moving on, but the best thing you can do is keep pushing forward.

One trick I like to do is if I’m stuck trying to figure out the right word but can’t think of it, I give myself one minute, and after that I put the next best choice in brackets so I know during edits that’s not the word I wanted. More times than not I remember it’s the wrong word when I come across it, but it satisfies my inner critic while I’m writing.

Do you hoard notebooks or anything else writing related?

I own all the pens and markers known to humankind. Okay, maybe not all of them, but I have more writing devices than any one person really ought to have. In fact, I once did a giveaway asking people to guess how many I owned. People often gift me pens and markers — WHICH I LOVE — and I still can’t resist them when I stroll down the office supply aisle.

Which genre is your favourite to write in?

YA! All ten books that I’ve published are young adult, and while I don’t have any plans to deviate from that, the first two books I wrote (but haven’t published) were written for an adult audience. I may tackle an adult novel at some point, but I’m in no rush.

Would you ever use a pen name? And if so, why?

Hooyenga is technically a pen name because it’s my maiden name. I wasn’t married when I published my first book in 2012, so I planned all along to continue writing under that name.

I’m currently only writing young adult books, but I know a lot of YA authors who’ve switched to a pen name when they publish books for an adult audience, or books that are a very different genre (from romance to science fiction, for example). At the moment I don’t have plans to add a pen name, but I’ve learned to never say never!

Which social media do you enjoy using the most?

I’m on Facebook a lot, but that’s more for keeping up with friends and events in my area. I really like the vibe on Threads and have been spending more time there lately. Instagram will always have a soft spot in my heart because I love photography and have a background in design, so I’m well-suited for that platform. I’m still mourning Twitter’s demise. Bluesky hasn’t quite filled that loss for me, and TikTok is one of my least-opened apps.

Do you have any pets?

Boy, do I! I have a Miniature Schnauzer named Gus who is ALL personality. He has an Instagram (@greetingsfromgus) with over 15K followers, but most of those followers are from our previous dog, Owen. Gus is three years old, can jump three times his height, and barks at absolutely everything. We brought him home a month after I started working remotely, so he’s very attached to me. Schnauzers are very smart and pretty high energy, and Gus keeps us on our toes.

Do you keep good reviews and reader comments?

No, but now you’ve given me the idea! A lot of authors avoid reading reviews, and you’ll regularly see advice to avoid Goodreads like the plague, not because it’s a horrible place, but because it’s a place for READERS. Once a book is published, you as the author no longer have control over how people interpret what you wrote and any opinions — good or bad — that come with it. And people can be mean.

But people can also be so delightfully amazing. One of my favorite things about writing is hearing how the stories that came from my brain affect living, breathing people. Even better if I can watch them while they’re reading and store those reactions for times when I’m second-guessing myself.

I have been collecting what I think are funny reactions to TQUEE. Things like “what did I just read?!?” and “This book was a trip.” I just need a minute to sit down and put it together.

Paperback or ebook? And why?

Ebooks, definitely. I almost always buy paperback copies of my friends’ books so I do have a nice collection, but I tend to read in bed and I like the simplicity of not having to move and just clicking the button to change pages.

Where do you see yourself, and your writing, in ten years?

Hopefully on even more bookshelves than I am now! I recently signed with an agent so my plan moving forward is to be a hybrid author, meaning my books will be both traditionally- and self-published. I’m working on the first book my agent plans to pitch to editors and I have several ideas for after that. I’m really excited to see where that goes!

You can follow Melanie on her website, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, Goodreads, and Bookbub! 

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here 

Goals & How They Work [CC]

Talking all about goals and how they work! #Authortube 
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#TeaserTuesday

Jonah has questions, but maybe they're not the right ones...BUY NOW: http://www.books2read.com/TRANSLUCENTPRE-ORDER SWAG: https://forms.gle/MJ4pNtSEav89XdnK6

[ID: A blue DNA background with the title TRANSLUCENT at the top and coming May 13th 2025 just below the title The except reads:

“What do you want to ask, Jonah? I can see you edging around something,” she said, her lips a thin line.
I sighed. “Lumi gave Jackson a knife, they obviously both planned for the possibility of violence. I get there was no choice, but I don't like that we didn't know that was the plan,” I said, looking down at my bare leg, which had started to throb a little.
“Lumi probably saved our lives,” Delia said sharply.

At the bottom is Joey Paul and just below that the website www.joeypaulonline.com, and in the bottom right corner is the logo for Bug Books. END ID]

 

5 Tropes I Will Never Write

5 TROPES I WILL NEVER WRITE

I think I did a piece about tropes that I love to write, and if so you can find it here. But I thought that today I would dive into five tropes that I will never write. It's not, necessarily, that these are 'bad' tropes, though some of them make me wary of reading, but they are ones that just don't jive with the way I write, or with what I want to read. I will say that some of these are a never say never, while others are very much a hard nope, not happening!

So let's dive into it!

#1 DISABLED BETTER OFF DEAD
I think it's pretty clear why I don't like this one, and why I will never ever write it. This isn't a maybe, it's a hard no. I don't know if it's something that a lot of non-disabled people realise but to be told, again and again, as a disabled person, that I am better off dead, especially in fiction, especially in romance stories or love stories, it's heartbreaking and just does not appeal to me at all. I feel like it's a dangerous narrative to put out in the world, especially with the way things are politically right now.

#2 MAGICALLY CURED DISABILITY
This is, again, another hard no from me. While I understand that sometimes there are cures, and sometimes people want to be cured, the idea that no disability exists in this world because magic, just rubs me the wrong way. I don't want to be telling teens with disabilities that the only way they'll have a happy ending is if they have a part of themselves removed in a way that is not possible in our world. Can you see the issue with that? Can you see how disheartening and devastating that is? But this is not something I will ever look at writing.

#3 ENEMIES TO LOVERS
This is one of the ones that it's a case of never say never, but it's never really worked for me. It might be that I've just never read the right version of it, but I don't feel like if someone is your real enemy, how you can forgive and forget the horrible things they've done to fall in love with them. Hell, sometimes the love interest is so terrible that it ruins the whole thing for me, and my want is to get the poor MC away from the bad person. So yeah, never been something I've written, or want to write.

#4 LOVE TRIANGLE
This is one that also has a caveat on it. I think when I've read it, both of the options have sucked. Like don't choose either one of them. And I know it can be done well, and so if I did write it, I would hope to do that. But I've never had a situation where I've felt like a love triangle works. I've had characters in a relationship break up and move on, but I've not had someone there trying to decide which one to choose. It just doesn't vibe with me, and that's fine, but maybe if I found a way to pull it off, I might give it a go, it's just not my first choice.

#5 DISABLED AREN'T WORTHY OF LOVE
This is a hard no for me. I don't like books where everyone pairs off but the disabled character because who wants to fall in love with a disabled person? It leaves a bad taste in my mouth and it makes me wonder if people realise just how hurtful that is. Since I write YA, I don't want to be perpetuating the idea that disabled people can't be loved romantically and don't deserve to have someone. It just doesn't work. I know a lot of disabled people who are very much happily in a relationship, and to try and show otherwise is out dated and just borderline cruel.

So there we go, those are my five tropes that I will never write. Some, like I said, are a if it happens, okay, but the majority are nopes from me.

Any questions? Lemme know in the comments!

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Interview with RosaLinda Diaz

I'm happy to welcome RosaLinda Diaz to the blog for an interview. I've reviewed a few of her books recently. 

Onto the interview!

Do you have a set routine for writing?

I actually don't have a routine. I figured out early that if I just sat down and said that's it, I'm writing, then I could. So, I never adopted a routine. I don't wait for inspiration. I just sit down and start. Sometimes, I write well, and other times, I write poorly, but at least I'm writing.  

What's your favorite tip for newbie writers?

The best tip I received was to write what you know. My early work wasn't great, but it allowed me to build confidence. Don't wait for a bestseller idea. Write what you want. Let the experiences you have had inform your writing.

What was your experience writing your first book?

My first book or my first published novel? They are two very different books. Bee Stings was my first published novel. It took only three months to write but many years to get published. Gray Mist Soldiers was my first novel. I had the idea but knew very little about soldiers' day-to-day life in the American Civil War. I forced myself to spend a month researching before I started writing.

Do you have a favourite place to write outside of your usual space?

Nope. Actually, that's not entirely true. I write best when I am stuck somewhere. In a doctor's office, at a conference, on a plane, or on a train. My mind can wander, and ideas flow freely. However, I am rarely in those places, so I do most of my writing in front of my computer or in a notebook.

Do you hoard notebooks or anything else writing related?

I wrote my first novel, longhand, in notebooks.

Which genre is your favourite to write in?

I mostly write in the romance genre, but I really love writing Young Adult novels.

Would you ever use a pen name? And if so, why?

I have, so my children's novel wasn't confused with my adult works. My middle-grade historical adventure novel Gray Mist Soldiers is published under RL Diaz.

Do you have any pets?

Sadly, only the pets are in my novels. I usually have a dog companion for my main character. Wishful thinking for me.

Do you keep good reviews and reader comments?

Absolutely! I have a file called good things, where I keep screenshots of nice reviews. Readers, don't underestimate the kind words you write. Us authors really do cherish them!

Paperback or ebook? And why?

Both!

I love the feel of a book and the smell, but ebooks offer ease of carry. On vacation, I can load up with several books at once.

Where do you see yourself, and your writing, in ten years? Ten years?

Goodness, I just figured out the next ten months! In ten years, I'd love to be living by the beach, with a good man by my side, with my kiddos running around, and enough money in the bank that I can focus on writing compelling novels for my fans full time. : )

What's your favourite writing snack?

I don't really have one, but when I get stuck or frustrated, I head to the kitchen for a piece of chocolate. 

You can follow RosaLina here on Instagram, TikTok, BookBub or her website. 

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here 

My Current WIP - March 2025 [CC]

Telling you all about my current WIP and what I'm working on! #Authortube 
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#TeaserTuesday

Lena isn't happy, but Zya has to say something to start their journey...BUY NOW: http://www.books2read.com/TRANSLUCENTPRE-ORDER SWAG: https://forms.gle/MJ4pNtSEav89XdnK6

[ID: A blue DNA background with the title TRANSLUCENT at the top and coming May 13th 2025 just below the title The except reads:

“You're gonna have to say something eventually,” Lena whispered, leaning over my shoulder so hopefully no one else in the group would hear.
“Where do you suggest I start?” I hissed back.
“Hey, I'll support you, Zya, but you got us into this mess. And they deserve to know what's being asked of them,” she said.
Without giving me a chance to respond, she gestured for me to turn my chair, and held up a hand. The group stopped and looked at me.

At the bottom is Joey Paul and just below that the website www.joeypaulonline.com, and in the bottom right corner is the logo for Bug Books. END ID]

 

Working With Sensitivity Readers

WORKING WITH SENSITIVITY READERS

With Translucent up for pre-order, and the third book in the series heading off to sensitivity readers soon, I thought that I would talk a little bit about what it's been like working with them. I can only talk mostly about disability because that's where the majority of my experience lies, and I don't wanna be misleading people about the process.

For those who don't know, sensitivity readers are people who have lived experience with a certain minority. Sometimes more than just the one, other times they are more focused on one particular area. For both Invisible and Translucent, I used two, one for a myriad of conditions mentioned, and the other for just one disability mentioned. Both had completely different ways of working and presenting their queries and both were a joy to work with. I will be employing them both again for Visible, which is the third book, and in the process of being revised right now.

So what is it like to work with them? While my experience has, again, mostly been with disability, I have found it to be a very important part of the process. It allows me to learn not just if my rep isn't all that great, but the little details I have no experience with, can add to the story as a whole. Like with Translucent, there were body language details, and other small things that would help strengthen my characters and their experiences. I loved getting their reports not just to see what I had right, but also what didn't work and how to maybe change this and that and be able to get a better character experience from it.

So what should you expect from a sensitivity reader?

#1 COMMENTS ON YOUR REP
This can be inline comments, or even a full breakdown of each chapter along with bits and pieces that need tweaking here and there. It should be something where the changes that are needed are clearly outlined and allow you to move forward with their advice. Obviously you don't have to take their advice, but if you choose not to, and it has a negative impact on the character, the rep, and the story, then people are going to be upset about it, and it will be on your head.

#2 PROFESSIONAL APPROACH
By this I mean, you shouldn't have someone who is aggressively yelling at you for getting something wrong. You should be paying this person, and that is not something I will ever change my mind on, and it is a working relationship so there should be a professional approach on both sides. That means you shouldn't be yelling at them either about how you don't agree with this and that and changing it would ruin the vibe or whatever. I feel like this should go without saying, but if not, there it is.

#3 OPEN COMMUNICATION
I've always been clear when I expect the document and notes back, and because my books are generally long, I give two months for them to work on the project. Sometimes that means that we do check ins after a month, other times I don't hear from them because there's no issues. But the lines of communications should be open both ways. Don't sit there and seethe because they didn't meet a deadline you didn't tell them about. Be clear with what you want, and stick to it. Communication is a big thing.

So there we go, those are three of the big ones. Like I said, Translucent is up for pre-order now, and I'm itching to get Visible ready for the readers. Good luck with your writing, and hope this helps!

Any questions? Lemme know in the comments!

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Review of The Quiet Unravelling Of Eve Ellaway by Melanie Hooyenga

 All Eve Ellaway wants is to escape to college, start a life of her own, and finally sever the connection to her twin sister Gen who disappeared when they were babies. Because while the rest of the world moved on from the kidnapping, Gen’s still very much alive at home.

Most families would grieve their missing child. Some families might create a shrine for their lost daughter. But the Ellaways are not most families.

Every night, Eve pretends to be Gen to protect her mother's delicate grasp on reality — dividing her life, her stories, and her dreams so there’s enough for two sisters. Eve’s forced to maintain her father’s lie to ease his guilt over Gen’s disappearance, but is she sacrificing the last threads of her identity and any hope for a normal future?

As the lies propping up Eve’s life start to crumble, she no longer knows what she wants. But Gen does, and she’s ready to take it. Amazon My Review: 5 STARS

I’ve read a bunch of Hooyenga’s books recently simply because the blurb of this one made me want to dive more into her worlds and this was one that I pre-ordered and got lost in almost the moment it landed on my kindle. Eve was a compelling character, the whole plot unique and twisty. I couldn’t help but need to take breaks because of the heavy hitting topic, but that didn’t stop me being hooked on it. The whole thing took you along on a journey and while I would advise people to be aware of the trigger warnings, it’s a thrilling read and one that will leave you thinking after the way it ends. Very much recommended and I can not get enough of Hooyenga’s writing.

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here

Cover Reveal: Translucent [CC]

And finally time for the cover reveal for Translucent! #Authortube 
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