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Never Too Old For Y.A. & N.A. Books discussion
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Kelly Hashway
Author Interview of the Month
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Author Interview with Kelly Bradley Hashway
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Thanks for having me today. I'll check back in case anyone has any questions for me. :)
Hi, wow thanks for enlightening me on your technique for writing and you have my interest already in this new dark series you speak of :)
Hi Kelly, I notice that you've written children's books. Were these your first books? Is this how you got into writing? Do you have a passion for writing and, if so, was this always the case or was it something that developed with time?
Amanda wrote: "Hi Kelly, I notice that you've written children's books. Were these your first books? Is this how you got into writing? Do you have a passion for writing and, if so, was this always the case or was..."Amanda, I actually started out writing middle grade novels but after my daughter was born, I was reading a ton of picture books to her and it just seemed natural for me to write them. My first book ever published turned out to be a picture book. And surprisingly enough, my next idea was YA. LOL My imagination has no age limit, I guess. ;)
Karen-Anne wrote: "Your work sounds really interesting! I enjoyed the interview. I haven't read many paranormal, but I am starting to really enjoy that type of story. Karen-Anne"
Paranormal is so much fun. I see it as like real life only better. :)
Eliza wrote: "great interview Kelly!"Thanks, Eliza!
Jane wrote: "Hi, wow thanks for enlightening me on your technique for writing and you have my interest already in this new dark series you speak of :)"Thanks, Jane. I'm happy to hear that.
Hey Kelly! Thanks for joining us. I totally agree with u on the fact that great dialogue makes great books. From an author point of view, which character leads are easier to write about - male or female?
Shriya wrote: "Hey Kelly! Thanks for joining us. I totally agree with u on the fact that great dialogue makes great books. From an author point of view, which character leads are easier to write about - male or ..."
I'd have to say females are easier for me, but I LOVE writing the male POV. I actually started writing males, probably because I've always been the girl who could be one of the guys and had a lot of male friends.
Karen-Anne wrote: "Do you find yourself writing from beginning to end or jump around?"I write whatever comes to me. I've begun books by writing the last chapter first and then going back to the beginning. Other times, I get in a slump and jump ahead to the climax because I know that intensity will get my mind going again. I think I write best when I go with whatever scene is in my head. I can piece the scenes together later like a puzzle, which is also kind of fun. :)
Great interview! I have one question: I'm new to this area, and I'm looking for a critique group. How would you suggest that I find one?
Carol wrote: "Great interview! I have one question: I'm new to this area, and I'm looking for a critique group. How would you suggest that I find one?"Hi, Carol. I've found CPs online in different groups I've joined and also in person at SCBWI conferences. I think it's about clicking with writers who are similar to you and then seeing if they'd be willing to critique for you and you for them. Good luck!
E.C. wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Karen-Anne wrote: "Do you find yourself writing from beginning to end or jump around?"I write whatever comes to me. I've begun books by writing the last chapter first and then going..."
Writing the last chapter first gave me the clear ending point that I needed. From there I could go back and see how my characters could get to that point. I've only done that once, but for that story I needed to. :)
Never Too Old For Y.A. & N.A. Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Touch of Death (other topics)Stalked by Death (other topics)
Into the Fire (other topics)
The Imaginary Friend (other topics)
Love All (other topics)
More...
There is a giveaway going on for you to have the chance to read Kelly's work. Visit this link...
http://www.thecovercontessa.com/2013/...
1. Did you always know you wanted to be a writer or did you want to be something else?
Growing up, I knew I wanted to be a writer, but I didn’t understand that it was an actual job. I guess that’s why I went into teaching and later turned to writing as a profession.
2. How long does it take you to write a book from start to finish?
It depends on the book. The fastest I’ve ever drafted a book was 8 days. The longest was about four months. That doesn’t include revisions though.
3. How do you come up with themes for your stories?
I find inspiration just about everywhere, and once it strikes, I can’t ignore it.
4. Do you have a schedule of when you write?
I write five days a week from 9am-3pm while my daughter is in school. If I’m drafting, I’ll also write from 8pm until I go to sleep at night.
5. How are you able to balance other aspects of your life with your writing?
I have my set writing time, so that way I can spend time with my family and take care of other things during the rest of my day. I’m a very scheduled person because that’s what works for me.
6. What elements do you think make a great story line?
A great MC that the reader will follow anywhere, lots of conflict, and great dialogue.
7. What was the hardest thing about writing a book?
Trying to keep up with the characters in my head. They keep talking non-stop, which means I lose a lot of sleep during the drafting phase.
8. How many books have you written so far? Do you have a favorite?
Wow, I’m trying to count them and I’m having trouble. I have three books that will never see the light of day. They were practice novels. I think I’m currently working on my eighth publishable book. Choosing a favorite is tough because I end up loving different things about different books.
9. Do you have a favorite character?
Jodi from Touch of Death is a lot like me, so she holds a special place in my heart. I also really love Sam from my upcoming book The Monster Within, which is contracted with Spencer Hill Press. Sam is one who will tug at your heartstrings, but she’s also a fighter.
10. Where do you write?
I mostly write at my dining room table.
11. When deciding on how to publish, what directed you to the route you took?
I always knew I wanted to have an agent to represent me and submit my books. I like having someone on my side. She finds the right homes for my books, and I think that’s the most important thing when publishing.
12. Have you gotten feedback from family about your book(s)? What do they think?
My mom reads everything I write and she’s tough—in a good way. She’s the first one to tell me when I can do better or if something isn’t working. She’s also the first one to cheer me on when I make the necessary improvements.
13. What kinds of things do you like to do outside of writing?
I’m a runner, an avid reader, a tennis player (though I don’t get to play nearly enough), and my daughter will tell you I still love to color. ;)
14. What kinds of advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing?
Read as much as you can. I learned the most from reading great authors. After that, write every day, even if it’s only a little bit.
16. What is your favorite book? favorite author? Do you have an author that inspired/inspires you to write?
It’s a tie between Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Titan’s Curse and Becca Fitzpatrick’s Crescendo. I love both authors. Riordan has a way with words that grabs my attention from the first line, and he’s amazing with action scenes. Fitzpatrick created my favorite fictional couple (Patch and Nora) and is great at weaving romance into her paranormal works.
17. Do you have any go to people when writing a book that help you with your story lines as well as editing, beta reading and such?
Like I said, my mom is one of my toughest and best critics. I also depend on my agent a lot. She reads all my work and helps me edit it until it’s ready to go out on submission. I also have an amazing critique group.
18. Are you working on anything now?
Always! I’m working on a new paranormal series that is yet to be titled. It’s still in the planning stages, but I can tell you it will have a dark feel to it.