Author Interview - Billie Hinton

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Genre – Literary Fiction / Romance

Rating – R

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 Connect with Billie Hinton on Twitter & November Hill

Website http://www.billiehinton.com/

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book. I think it tells a good story.

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?  Claire-obscure is another book in the Claire Quartet, and it is already published. I have another adult novel and a middle grade novel published as well. Readers can already find these on Amazon. In the works: book three in the Claire Quartet, book two in the middle grade series, two nonfiction books, one on writing, the other on living with horses, and another adult novel.

What inspired you to want to become a writer? I am not sure, except that I have been an avid reader since age 3. I wanted to write before I knew how to make the letters of the alphabet. I don’t know where that came from – but it was there early and has persisted mightily.

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published. I’ve gotten emails from readers who “get” the books. I think having someone I don’t know read my books and truly get the characters is my favorite result of publication.

If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world, which would it be? Hmmm… that is a difficult choice. Today it would be Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. I guess I’d like to jump in for the first book and go all the way through the series!

What is your dream cast for your book? I lived and worked in Hollywood for a time, so I know there is no way anyone ever really gets to pick a dream cast – I would hope the film would be cast well. I’d rather see new, unknown actors in the roles of Claire, Bingham, and Raoul than known ones, but you know, if Hollywood wants to pay me enough money, they can do what they want with the film.

What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen? I loved the James Herriott series.

Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters? Each of my books has its own playlist of songs that I listen to for inspiration. The one I’m hooked on right now that speaks to many of my female main characters is a song called Last of the Happy by Eva Trout.

What’s one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors? Enjoy the process. Publication is wonderful, but if you don’t love the hours in the chair, writing and editing and editing some more, find something else to do.

What is your favorite Quote? I have about a million favorite quotes, but today, this one: The Word is still spoken in sparrowsong, windsigh, and leaffall. An electron is a single letter, an atom a complex word, a molecule a sentence, and an indigo bunting an entire epistle of the sacred. The ocean whispers its mystery within the chambered sea shell. Listen quietly to the longing in your heart for love and justice and you may hear an echo of the holy word that addresses you. Hush for a while. Be still and know.

How did you know you should become an author? I think I was born wanting to write. It never occurred to me not to.

Who are your favorite authors of all time? Ellen Gilchrist, Jean Rhys, Charles Frazier, Michael Ondaatje.

Can you see yourself in any of your characters? Sure. Oddly enough I see more of myself in the male characters than the female ones.

What’s the craziest writing idea you’ve had? I’m thinking of taking my middle grade magical pony school novels, adding some nonfiction content aimed at women, and calling it the Fairy Tale For Horse Women series.

How do you react to a bad review? I appreciate every review. No book is for everyone, and thank goodness there are so many out there for readers to find the ones that move them. When I get a bad review, it sometimes stings a bit, but I realize that even the bad reviews mean one thing: the book is out there, it’s flying. That’s what it’s about.

If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why? I used to care a lot about signed copies of novels, but I’ve lost that attachment lately. I would like something signed by Paul Bowles though – he and I corresponded for years but it never occurred to me to get him to sign a book!

Which authors have influenced you most and how? Lawrence Durrell. His Alexandria Quartet blew me away when I was in my late teens. I loved his use of differing perspectives to tell the same story, and that is what I am doing with the Claire Quartet. (claire-obscure and Signs That Might Be Omens are the first two books of this group)

Give us a glimpse into a typical day in your day starting when you wake up till you lie down again. Oh my. I have coffee and read email, then head to the barn. I often don’t make it back in the house until the afternoon. On good days I get to ride and write. On the less than good days I act as chauffeur and errand runner. I spend time with my husband when he gets home from work, and we try to cook good meals even though everyone takes their plate the heads to their own space these days. I read as long as I can before sleep takes me over. I’m a night owl who can no longer stay up into the wee hours of the night!

How did you celebrate the sale of your first book? I don’t remember! Usually I’m on into the next book so don’t think much about celebrating those that are already out of the nest.

Finish the sentence- one book I wish I had written is…. Michael Ondaatje’s The English Patient. It is stunningly beautiful.

In your wildest dreams, which author would you love to co-author a book with? Raul Correa. He’s a friend and I love his work. His novel I Don’t Know But I’ve Been Told could be considered a companion piece to my first novel Claire-obscure.I’d love to write something with him. He is a master.