Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
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Exclusive Interview with
Heather Lynn
When did you start writing?
I hadn’t written a story, other than what we used to have to do in grade school, until about 10 years ago. At that time, several things happened:
i) The kids were a little bigger, I found I had a little more time, and I started to read grown-up books again, using my imagination in a way I hadn’t in some time.
ii) I learned of a family friend who has written several futuristic-fiction books (a series, which I enjoyed very much) but made the choice to print copies to give his loved ones/friends only. His joy comes simply from sharing his story. That got me thinking about the kind of passion one feels, when they have a story to tell.
iii) A story idea about a girl deliberately going back in time, struck me—I’ve always loved the idea of time-travel and its consequences. It quickly grew from an idea to a story, to a series!
As soon as that happened, I found myself asking questions. Why does she want to go? How will she get there? What knowledge will she go with? Then came the research. Now I was reading for knowledge, learning about Wicca, herbs, stones, and moon phases. I’m happy to say that I learned things that have become a part of who I am.
What makes writing your passion?
How long have you been writing?
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
I was soo excited! It all seemed so unreal! After all of the time I’d spent dreaming, writing, and rewriting, I actually had a book on the market—finally! I’m delighted to be able to say that and very happy to be able to continue working on the SkyWatcherBook Series.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
I can’t actually say I’ve had “writer’s block”, but now and then when it’s time for a little break from the actual writing, I like to work on banners, teasers, cover ideas for the current WIP . . . that kind of thing.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
I keep going because I love the story I have in my head and I want to share it. I enjoy spending time with my characters, molding them, and seeing how they react to what life throws at them.
To a new author, I would say, "Write that story! Do it YOUR WAY. Don't give up and always believe in yourself!
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
I do read my book reviews. It’s good to know where you stand with readers. Of course, you have to know going in that everyone isn’t going to be as big a fan of your characters and plot as you are, but that’s ok, that’s life. The biggest problem I have with reviews is getting them. So many readers just don’t realize how much it benefits a writer to have their work reviewed and perhaps seen by a reader who might not have otherwise been aware of the author.
Please readers, if you’ve enjoyed a book, especially one written by an independent author, leave a review, help spread the word.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
I’ve used several real-life moments/events in my stories. Not only are they relatable to other people, but I can write with 100% accuracy about how it felt to live through them or watch it happen.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
I don’t think the book cover is AS important as the story, it is after all about the story. I do, however, think the cover is very important. If it doesn’t grab a reader’s attention in some way, the story may very well be overlooked and never given the chance it deserves.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
Who is your favorite author? Why?
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
What would you say to your readers?
Thank you so much for taking a chance on an independent author and reading my story! I appreciate the opportunity.
Now please . . . leave a review.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I was born and grew up in Toronto, Ontario. After marrying and having our first son, my husband and I moved north of the city, looking for a quieter, calmer place to bring up our children. The quiet didn’t last very long though because, within a few years, we had 3 boys and a dog. The boys aren’t kids anymore, they’re all young men now, each growing in his own direction and each a delight in his own way.
What is your day job if you have one?
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my family, working in the garden, and spending time at my cottage. I’m very good at relaxing.
Did you have a happy childhood?
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
If I had 3 wishes? Eek, that’s harder to answer than one would think.
1) Health and happiness for my family and friends will always be number one. What would life be without them?
2) A good-sized piece of property on a quiet lake would be awesome. Somewhere my husband and I could enjoy the peace and the kids and their future-families, would like to come and visit.
3) Of course, success in my writing would be excellent. That’s not to say I’m looking for tons of money, I would simply like to know that people enjoy my work.
Although . . . now that I mention it, tons of money would be all right too!!!
What is your favorite music?
Share a secret with us 🙂