Interview with C.C. Hunter
Late last year, I joined the street team of C.C. Hunter, author of the AMAZING series, Shadow Falls, which follows a teen girl named Kylie Galen who goes to the camp/boarding school Shadow Falls. When Kylie arrives at Shadow Falls, she thinks it's a camp for troubled teens but when she discovers it's actually a camp for witches, vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, and fae, she wonders where does she fit in. Throughout the novel, Kylie continues to discover who she is while dealing with her new powers and choosing which boy to love.
I loved Shadow Falls SO MUCH and when it ended, I was a bit upset but my sadness didn't last long because C.C. Hunter decided she wasn't done with Shadow Falls. She decided to write a spin-off series called Shadow Falls: After Dark which follows one of Kylie's best friends, Della Tsang, a sassy vampire who is trying to prove herself as a paranormal investigator. Not only that but she has caught the eye of two guys: Steve, a gorgeous shape-shifter, and Chase, a mysterious vampire.
I was given the oppurtunity to interview C.C. Hunter and ask her questions about the new series and writing in general. I was also given an advanced copy of Reborn so look out for the interview coming soon!
Q: How do you get through writer's block?
First of all let me say that I don’t believe in writer’s block. I believe in sitting my butt in the chair and writing—no matter what. Sure sometimes I can’t get into the scene and I end up writing pages that I’ll probably delete 90% of, but that gives me 10% I’ll keep. To paraphrase another author, I can fix bad writing, but I can’t fix a blank page. And if I’m having a lot of trouble, it usually means I took a wrong turn someplace. So I need to go back to the point where it still seemed right and try again from there. So, I just keep plugging away, writing page after page, because it is a job. I love it, but it is my job. I show up every day and I write. I get my work ethic from my dad, who was a plumber. I never heard him say that he had plumber’s block (no pun intended), he went to work every day whether he felt like it or not.
Q: What was the hardest part switching from Kylie to Della?
I loved writing from Kylie’s point of view because I think of all the Shadow Falls characters, she is the one most like me. But I do have a sassy side that I have been able to let out while writing Della’s character. My hubby always said I had a smart mouth—and boy has it gotten me in trouble at times—so this is a way I can be a smart a$$ and only Della gets into hot water. But I have found since I’ve been channeling Della, I think I’ve been a bit sassier than usual. :)
Q: What's the hardest part about being an author?
One of the hardest things for me as an author comes when I have to say goodbye to my characters. When I wrote Chosen at Nightfall, I thought it was the end of not only Kylie’s series, but of Shadow Falls. I was so upset, and sooo not ready to say goodbye to Kylie, Miranda, Della and all their friends. So, I wrote Saved at Sunrise. I thought it would help me say goodbye to Della, but it didn’t work. It made me think about her even more. I was supposed to start working on a totally different series called Glimmer. But I knew there was so much more to write about Shadow Falls Camp. Fortunately, my editor thought so too. At least she did once she read Saved at Sunrise, which led to Della’s series. But I know I’ll have to say goodbye to Shadow Falls one day, and I also know that when I do, I’ll be a basket case.
Q: Is there any advice you want to give to young writers?
I get asked for writing advice all the time. My answer is always the same. Writing is a business and just like any other business, you have to learn your craft. When I finally had the courage to pursue my dream of becoming a writer, I took every class I could to become the best writer I could be. Heck, I’m still learning! LOL And read! Read everything you can by your favorite authors. Learn what works and what doesn’t. Another thing I always tell young writers is to believe in yourself. If it is your true dream, then go for it, but don’t expect it to be easy.
Thanks so much for inviting me to your blog.
So there you have it! Make sure to pre-order your copy of Reborn, coming May 20th, and check out her website and facebook page!
-Interview by Siren