Talented indie author Mia Hoddell has just released a box set of her fabulous Seasons of Change novels. The Seasons of Change series includes four standalone novellas in the new adult/romance genre and includes Summer Demons, Winter Angel, Autumn Ghosts, and Spring Knight. On this stop of the Seasons of Change Blog Tour, Mia sits down for an interview to talk about her books and writing in general.
INTERVIEW
1. Tell everyone a little about yourself. What
are your hobbies and interests (outside of writing, of course)?
Outside of
writing I enjoy reading (obviously) and reviewing books. I also design book
covers, love graphic design, and photography. I used to play a lot of sport and
have competed at regional levels, but I’ve had to cut back on those for now.
I’d love to take up netball again, and I’m interested in learning martial arts.
2. When
did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
I don’t think I made the conscious
decision, I just fell into it. I’ve always loved writing—for as long as I can
remember—so I think it was a natural progression. Also, the development in
technology and self-publishing made it an easier or more realistic goal to
achieve so when I ended up writing my first novel (2009), it was the obvious
path to follow.
3. What is the hardest part about being a
writer?
I think the marketing because there
is so much out there nowadays. I also hate edits and formatting. When I’m
reading my book through countless times after my editor’s sent it me back just
to look for formatting errors, or any last minute typos, I find staying
motivated is hard as I just want the book to be released by that point.
4.
For anyone who hasn’t read the Seasons of
Change series, tell them a little about the books.
Seasons
of Change is a series of contemporary romance novellas that follow the seasons
(Summer Demons, Winter Angel, Autumn Ghosts, Spring Knight). I aimed to write
them as feel-good reads where characters change for the better, find
themselves, and overcome fears. All of the novellas are standalone reads and
follow different couples. However, they can be enjoyed as a series because
characters overlap.
5. How did you get the idea for this series?
Seasons of Change wasn’t meant to be
a long series. In fact when I started Summer Demons I only had two books in
mind (Summer Demons and Winter Angel) and they were going to be separate with
no links. However, when I started writing Summer Demons, I enjoyed writing
quick, light-hearted romances and I wanted to tell the story of other minor characters
so it grew from there.
The original idea for Summer
Demons/Winter Angel came from coming up with the titles. They were originally
going to be paranormal novels, but then I had the idea to play on the word
‘demons’ by using inner demons and confronting fears. I had the similar thought
with each book (e.g. Winter Angel’s theme is helping/saving someone), and as
the series grew in my mind I realized they all had a theme of change or
personal growth, which is where the series title came from.
6. What
authors have inspired you the most?
I have my
favourites, but I’m not sure they inspired me. Generally I read for pleasure,
but if I had to name one it would be Julia Golding, as without her books, I
doubt I’d have started reading when I did and therefore wouldn’t have been able
to develop my writing. I hated reading until I was 14, but I guess she inspired
me to buy more books.
7. Some
people take a walk, others bang their heads against a wall. How do you handle
writer’s block?
I don’t believe
in it and that seems to be working as I’ve never been stuck when writing a
book. Of course there are always struggles when planning but I find that’s a
natural part of the process when you’re piecing little ideas together.
Things I find
that help me when writing is having a detailed plan before I begin. I do
deviate from it as the story evolves, but it helps to know where I’m heading,
who the characters are, and any other necessary details. I also never stop
writing at the end of a chapter. I always continue to at least 500 words into
the next one as I find it maps my train of thought at the time and it’s easier
to pick up the next day.
8. Of all the characters you’ve written, which
one are you the most alike?
All of my characters have a little
bit of me in them, but I think Kayleigh from Spring Knight is most similar to
my personality. She faces a few problems with confidence and feels most
comfortable when performing on stage, which is something I relate to.
9. Tell
readers about your upcoming projects.
What are you working on now?
Right now I’m
working on an urban fantasy thriller (is complete) and a NA romance for
NaNoWriMo. I’m not going to reveal too much about them though because I like to
be secretive about new works. However, I’m also thinking about Seasons of
Change Volume 2. I know who the first story is going to be about, but I’m
trying to figure out the rest of the books so I can hopefully write them next year.
10. If any of the books in the
Seasons of Change series were made into movies (I’m personally voting for Summer Demons), who do you envision
playing the main characters?
This question
always stumps me. I never create characters with an actor or actress in mind
and therefore I can never find someone who looks like who I have in my head.
Can I take the easy option and let the readers decide?
11. Do you find that you base
your characters on real life people, or are they entirely fictional?
My characters are mostly fictional and if I do base them on real people,
it’s never just one. Generally I pick out things from a few people—normally
small quirks, habits etc.—and shape them into one character. Of course, I may
use experiences with real people to help me create them, but I’m never going to
reveal who anyone is, if I have. It’s surprisingly a question I get asked a lot
“am I in your book?” but I doubt anyone would be able to tell if a character
was them because they grow into their own while writing.
12. Do
you have any writing essentials (i.e. music, silence, coffee)?
I can write just
about anywhere because I write on my iPod, so I’d need that. I find music helps
when it fits the tone of the book, but it isn’t necessary. Also, I do like to
be somewhere with no clutter. I don’t know why, but I can’t focus if there’s a
pile of stuff around me.
13. What made you decide to write in the young adult/new
adult genre?
It’s the age bracket I fall into so I write for people my own age. They are
also the genres I read and enjoy most so it felt natural writing in them.
14. What is one of the first things you remember writing? Do
you still have it?
It was a poem about a giraffe named Jack. I think it was written as a task
for school when I was six and everything had to rhyme with Jack. I’m pretty
sure I still have it as well.
15. Do you have any advice for those wanting to take the
plunge and begin writing?
I’d say just go for it. The thing I hear most is that people don’t know how
to get into writing, and the only answer I can give is to actually sit down and
write. You can think and think about it, but the only way you’re going to move
forward is to put pen to paper/fingers to keyboard. I’d also say keep your
expectations and goals realistic, and find what works for you. Writing is
something you grow into and are constantly learning—I still am—and there’s a
lot of details on what other authors do out there, but I think it’s best to
find how you like to work and do that instead. It has to be enjoyable is the
main thing.
16. Who are your favorite authors and what are your favorite
books?
I have a lot. I’d say my top five are: Julia Golding/Joss Stirling
with all of her books, Derek Landy – Skulduggery
Pleasant, Rachel Vincent for all of her books, J. Lynn – Wait For You Series, and J. A. Redmerski
– The Edge of Never (which is one of
the rare books that’s made me cry).
17. If you could be any character in any book, who would you
be and why?
Um … Valkyrie Cain from the Skulduggery Pleasant books because she’s
amazing. She’s witty, strong, gets funny lines, has a reflection that does all
of the boring stuff in her life, and above all she uses many types of magic and
gets to solve magical mysteries.
Favorite
color: Purple
Dogs or Cats: Cats all the time.
Dogs scare me.
Favorite Food: That changes with the
season. In the summer I like fruit, in the winter anything that is chocolate or
cake.
Day or Night: I get more work done
in the night because there are less distractions and it’s quiet. I prefer the
day though, if it’s sunny.
Favorite Season: Summer, I need the
sun.
Favorite Movie: Moulin Rouge
Laptop or Pen and Paper: Laptop. I tried writing a book by hand once … never happening again.
SEASONS OF CHANGE BOX SET AND GIVEAWAY
Seasons of Change Box Set
Books 1-4 + Exclusive Bonus Stories
by Mia
Hoddell
Genre: YA
Romance
Release
date: November
27th 2014
Blurb:
You can
now get all four Amazon best-selling novellas in the Seasons of Change series,
plus two exclusive short stories, in one box set.
These feel-good contemporary romances follow the seasons as characters change for the better, find themselves, and overcome fears.
These feel-good contemporary romances follow the seasons as characters change for the better, find themselves, and overcome fears.
All of
the novellas are standalone reads, but can be enjoyed as a series because
characters overlap. This box set includes:
Summer Demons: Jenna Shaw jumped on a plane and flew to Portugal to try and forget her past. However, forced to deal with her memories due to an ill-timed joke, Jenna’s holiday is derailed by the charismatic Ethan Brooks. She sees him as an annoyance; he sees her as a challenge. And when all of his usual tricks only serve to push her away, Ethan has to work harder than ever if he wants to win over and help his mysterious girl.
Winter Angel: When Amy’s suggestion of a
beach holiday is overruled in favour of skiing she couldn’t have predicted it
might make her break the one, and only, rule she has: not to commit to a
serious relationship again. The minute she sees Luke, she knows something’s
wrong, and her desire to fix people means she wants to be the one to help him.
However, she didn’t go on holiday to fall for someone, and whether or not she
can move past her insecurities will depend on whether Luke can face his biggest
fear.
Autumn Ghosts: Only one person knows what
truly lies in Ellie Jeffords’ heart, and that’s herself. Hating the course she
is studying, Ellie is failing and when a friend’s cousin, Justin, offers to
tutor her, she jumps at the chance. However, as the pressure of exams starts to
break Ellie, Justin wants her to confide in him. The only problem is that he
can’t persuade her to talk without revealing his own dark secret, and forcing
Ellie to choose between her parents’ dreams and her own will cost her something
she loves.
Spring Knight: Kayleigh Barrow is most
comfortable on stage where she can pretend she’s someone else, but when
auditions for the latest production are opened up to the entire university, the
lines between fantasy and reality start to blur. Thrown together with renowned
player, Aiden Hanson, she can’t longer hide her feelings for him. However, he’s
never had a serious relationship and Kayleigh refuses to be another conquest.
When her acting starts to become real and she can no longer hide behind her
character, Kayleigh must decide whether Aiden’s worth the risk, or if he will
end up breaking her heart.
Plus 2
exclusive short stories:
Summer Revenge: Jenna promised she’d get Ethan back for his prank, and it’s time to cash in. Read about what happened after the couple left Portugal.
Season of
Love: There’s beach fun, flirting, and mischief as all of the Seasons of
Change couples take part in a beach competition.
Buy it now, save
20% and get more content than if purchased separately.
