Exclusive Interview with
Jody Hadlock
When did you start writing?
I've been writing for as long as I can remember. I'd always wanted to write novels, but I knew I needed a "normal" job to live, so I studied journalism in college and worked as a television news reporter and anchor for a decade. I then ran the communications department for a nonprofit for another decade, and finally I started seriously pursuing my dream to become an author.
What makes writing your passion?
It's like breathing. I write to survive.
How long have you been writing?
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
Most of the characters in my novel were real people. I did create some fictional characters where needed.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Be patient and kind to yourself. It's a long process with a lot of rejection but worth it in the end.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
Fortunately, the editorial reviews so far have been positive. I do read the reviews my book gets on Goodreads and of course some are good and some are not so good. I've gotten enough good reviews that the bad ones don't bother me. I never ever respond to bad ones. That's that reader's personal feelings about my book and I can't control how someone is going to react to my writing.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
I feel elated, and some reviews have even made me cry. It's a wonderful feeling when someone "gets" my book.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Not yet!
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?
Yes. A professional book cover is essential. It should reflect the quality of the writing inside the book.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I love connecting with readers. I've had some chats on IG and FB.
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?
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I live in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area. I'm married and have one child, a son whom I adopted from Romania in 1999 when he was eight years old.
What is your day job if you have one?
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I do yoga and Pilates. They keep me sane!
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?
What is your favorite music?
Share a secret with us 🙂