From time to time we meet people in which we share a common chord, a fellow traveler that shares our journey. Sharing mine is Chriss Hill, author of "Hostage to Her Heart." A great writer, a kind and gentle heart, a woman of faith, I find Chriss an exceptional companion in which to share this journey with. I appreciate her friendship and would like to take this opportunity to shine the spotlight her way.
In her debut novel she illustrates the successes and failures of love, sometimes tender and sweet, often not without pain and difficult choices. In Hostage to Her Heart we meet a young woman, Tara, torn between love and doing "what is right" and share in her heartaches as she struggles with her choices. Torn between two men who care for her, Tara morns the loss of her true love. Who will win her heart in the end?
DH: Where did you come up with your idea for the plot? And are any of the characters modeled after someone you know?
CH: Well, I’ve always had a major interest in soaps, movie and pop stars- especially the ones on radio and television, like the Osmonds, the Jackson Five, and even fictional, like the Partridge Family. As a teenager, I daydreamed wild scenarios, such as “what if they bought the house across the street and became my neighbors?” What would it be like to grow up in a talented environment? Then, in November 1997, the famous McCaughey septuplets were born in Ohio , causing a stir, on radio and television. Everywhere they appeared: newspapers and on the covers of magazines. People talked about them. Overly curious, I was totally intrigued by such a multi-birth situation. I think as humans we are driven to know about the unknown. Look at the recent stir the Octuplet’s Mom and her babies are causing? The spotlight of fame can be daunting sometimes, in my humble opinion.
I guess these interests and thoughts remained in my mind, so when I conceived (no pun intended) the drama for Hostage to Her Heart, I believe it helped produce a book with the best beginning of a great musical family. And all the characters are derived, in some fashion or another, from talented film and television stars you already know. I would tell you who, but while reading, everyone has their own idea of what a character looks like or sounds like. So perhaps I should keep this a mystery so I don’t spoil your concepts.
DH: How long have you been writing? Has it been a pleasant experience?
CH: When I was in junior high, I made up tons of stories. I wrote them down and later showed them off to my friends. They wound up in never-land. No one inspired me then to push the envelope further. This changed in 2000. I went to the local college to take a creative writing course and had a blast making up stories again. Then I wrote this manuscript and showed it to my best friend. “You should publish this. Your style reminds me of V.C. Andrews,” she encouraged. So I sought traditional publication and received rejections. I guess my idea seemed “far out” with the time period (the 70’s), the huge cast of characters, and the multi-birth situation. So next came Authorhouse and they made it easy to publish, but it’s a solo effort to market the book afterwards. If I must do my own publicity, then I wanted to find an inexpensive publishing avenue for future projects. Recently, I’ve come across a new possibility, Createspace.com, and I’m experimenting with that process now.
DH: What have you learned through the writing and publishing phases?
To write is to learn and grow, sometimes to the point that you can be inspired by what’s in front of you or be totally frustrated by the amount of editing to be done. It’s hard work. To publish, there are so many various opportunities, but which will be affordable for you? To market, is sometimes a solo effort proven to be very difficult. However the achievement to tell your story, hold a book in your hand, and inspire others (or your children) to write and dream is priceless.
DH: Can we expect another book?
CH: Oh, yes. Hostage to Her Heart was just the beginning of a four-part saga. The next book, Falling for Her Heart, will be out very soon. The 3rd and 4th installments are being edited and if I am successful, will be available by the end of 2009.
After that, I’d like to tackle a different genre or family saga, unless I can come up with a way to continue what’s happening with Tara and her musical family. There’s always room for more drama, yes?
DH: Any advice do you have for others thinking of writing or publishing a novel?
Read, read, read on ways to perfect your craft, because no matter how much you think your manuscript is perfect, there’s always room for improvement. Once you find a venue to publish, then go for it. However it’s achieved will become one notch off your bucket list and one huge swell of pride within your heart.
Thanks Chriss for your time for this little interview.
Buy your copy through the bookstore section at www.Authorhouse.com or just click on the book cover posted on the sidebar. We both appreciate your support, so pass this on to all of your friends to put this book on their list.
In her debut novel she illustrates the successes and failures of love, sometimes tender and sweet, often not without pain and difficult choices. In Hostage to Her Heart we meet a young woman, Tara, torn between love and doing "what is right" and share in her heartaches as she struggles with her choices. Torn between two men who care for her, Tara morns the loss of her true love. Who will win her heart in the end?
DH: Where did you come up with your idea for the plot? And are any of the characters modeled after someone you know?
CH: Well, I’ve always had a major interest in soaps, movie and pop stars- especially the ones on radio and television, like the Osmonds, the Jackson Five, and even fictional, like the Partridge Family. As a teenager, I daydreamed wild scenarios, such as “what if they bought the house across the street and became my neighbors?” What would it be like to grow up in a talented environment? Then, in November 1997, the famous McCaughey septuplets were born in Ohio , causing a stir, on radio and television. Everywhere they appeared: newspapers and on the covers of magazines. People talked about them. Overly curious, I was totally intrigued by such a multi-birth situation. I think as humans we are driven to know about the unknown. Look at the recent stir the Octuplet’s Mom and her babies are causing? The spotlight of fame can be daunting sometimes, in my humble opinion.
I guess these interests and thoughts remained in my mind, so when I conceived (no pun intended) the drama for Hostage to Her Heart, I believe it helped produce a book with the best beginning of a great musical family. And all the characters are derived, in some fashion or another, from talented film and television stars you already know. I would tell you who, but while reading, everyone has their own idea of what a character looks like or sounds like. So perhaps I should keep this a mystery so I don’t spoil your concepts.
DH: How long have you been writing? Has it been a pleasant experience?
CH: When I was in junior high, I made up tons of stories. I wrote them down and later showed them off to my friends. They wound up in never-land. No one inspired me then to push the envelope further. This changed in 2000. I went to the local college to take a creative writing course and had a blast making up stories again. Then I wrote this manuscript and showed it to my best friend. “You should publish this. Your style reminds me of V.C. Andrews,” she encouraged. So I sought traditional publication and received rejections. I guess my idea seemed “far out” with the time period (the 70’s), the huge cast of characters, and the multi-birth situation. So next came Authorhouse and they made it easy to publish, but it’s a solo effort to market the book afterwards. If I must do my own publicity, then I wanted to find an inexpensive publishing avenue for future projects. Recently, I’ve come across a new possibility, Createspace.com, and I’m experimenting with that process now.
DH: What have you learned through the writing and publishing phases?
To write is to learn and grow, sometimes to the point that you can be inspired by what’s in front of you or be totally frustrated by the amount of editing to be done. It’s hard work. To publish, there are so many various opportunities, but which will be affordable for you? To market, is sometimes a solo effort proven to be very difficult. However the achievement to tell your story, hold a book in your hand, and inspire others (or your children) to write and dream is priceless.
DH: Can we expect another book?
CH: Oh, yes. Hostage to Her Heart was just the beginning of a four-part saga. The next book, Falling for Her Heart, will be out very soon. The 3rd and 4th installments are being edited and if I am successful, will be available by the end of 2009.
After that, I’d like to tackle a different genre or family saga, unless I can come up with a way to continue what’s happening with Tara and her musical family. There’s always room for more drama, yes?
DH: Any advice do you have for others thinking of writing or publishing a novel?
Read, read, read on ways to perfect your craft, because no matter how much you think your manuscript is perfect, there’s always room for improvement. Once you find a venue to publish, then go for it. However it’s achieved will become one notch off your bucket list and one huge swell of pride within your heart.
Thanks Chriss for your time for this little interview.
Buy your copy through the bookstore section at www.Authorhouse.com or just click on the book cover posted on the sidebar. We both appreciate your support, so pass this on to all of your friends to put this book on their list.
