An Interview with Author Christina Yother
Christina Yother has just released the third book in her Hollow Hearts series. To help her celebrate, I have invited here to talk about herself and her writing.
1. When did you first know you wanted to become a writer? It’s easy to say that I’ve wanted to be a writer forever, but in all honesty it really started to solidify in middle school. That’s when I started keeping journals and writing short stories. I remember spending many afternoons on our porch swing with a notebook recording all these weird characters and events that played out in my mind. It wasn’t until I finished my Ph.D. in 2012 that I decided it was time to pursue writing full time.
2. What was the harshest criticism/best advice you ever received? Academic writing and fiction writing are vastly different – everything from the preparation to the research to the structure of the words. The one aspect that they do have in common is the need to hone one’s voice. My major professor pushed me so hard to focus my writing on finding that voice. It wasn’t criticism per se, but it forced me to abandon that disconnect and it gave me permission to find myself in the words. And, it showed me that my heart was centered on the creative and not on the academic.
3. Do you write anything other than historical romance? I don’t have any published work outside of that genre, but I hope to in the next year or so. I’m currently working on a women’s fiction manuscript that breaks completely away from romance.
4. How do you balance writing and your day job and family? Most days it feels like I don’t balance it very well. I’m very blessed that I have the opportunity to write full time. I work hard to protect that writing time each day. I’m trying to learn to give myself permission to say ‘no’ once in a while when things are threatening that writing time. Once the children are home from school I put all my energy into my family. It’s important to me that I be as present for them as possible.
5. Tell me about your new release? Was any of it based on real life? Reconcile is the third book in my Hollow Hearts series. It centers around two characters, Joshua and Lilly and the struggle of honor and independence. While the story isn’t based on my real life, I did model quite a bit of Joshua’s character after my brother. They’re both very honorable and both possess a beautiful heart.
6. Where do you get your inspiration? It doesn’t come from one specific place. Sometimes it comes from dreams, sometimes from a line of dialogue I’ve overheard, sometimes I feel inspired from looking at a picture. It can really come from anywhere! That’s why I always keep a notebook handy – those ideas keep no discernable schedule!
7. Panster, Plotter, or Tweener? Tell me about your writing process. I tend to do general outlines and characters sketches for each of my stories. I make notes about a few scenes here and there, but the majority of writing happens on the fly! Sometimes I’m expecting a story to go one way and the characters find their own path and we end up somewhere completely different! That pattern tends to work well for me – strange in many ways because I’m such an organized planner in real life.
Each story gets a notebook where I research and do basic plots. Once I feel I have a general idea of how to begin I’ll start the actual writing. Sometimes it’s days and sometimes it’s months before any words actually make it to the page. That notebook becomes essential to my writing. Anything I need to jot down or remember for later goes in that notebook. We recently converted our dining room to an office so I work in there. I keep things pretty silent while I work – no TV or music in the background. I try to write for 5-6 hours a day while my children are at school.
8. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I tend to be a homebody. I’m not one of those people with a bit of wanderlust. But, I would love to visit England. Years ago I taught British Literature to high school juniors. I’d love to take a literary trip there and see all the places I’ve studied and taught. Plus, I hear London has some amazing bookstores!!
9. Do you have any other project you can tell me about? I mentioned earlier that I am working on a manuscript that is more women’s fiction. It’s something completely different from what I’ve written before. It takes place in 1940’s Georgia and centers on three generations of women in a very unusual family. The farm where the story is set was actually inspired by the farm where my mother-in-law grew up.
10. Who has inspired you the most? I’d have to say my husband, Andy. He isn’t perfect by any means, but I truly believe he is perfect for me. And every single day I feel like I get to live my very own happily ever after with the kindest soul anyone would ever meet.
Bio: Christina Yother is a historical and contemporary romance writer. She has been involved with writing, blogging, and social media for several years and earned a PhD in 2012 by writing one of the first dissertations to explore how women build community through writing online. She lives in small-town Georgia with her husband and three children.You can find her writing at http:www.christinayother.com or at http://projectunderblog.com where she runs a submission-based collaborative writing blog that celebrates the smaller voices in the blogging community.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ccyother
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccyotherGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8280690.Christina_Yother
Blurb:
Facing the truth of the past
Accepting the hope of the future
Joshua Miller struggles to care for his ailing father, run the town livery, and meet the demands of a spoiled fiancé. When an unexpected woman enters his life and exemplifies true compassion, he begins to question the path his life is taking. When changing his plans means destroying all he has built, Joshua will have to decide what matters most.
Lilly Johnson arrives in her sister’s home in the frontier town of Hollow, Montana hoping she left the shame of divorce behind her. With her sister’s support, Lilly begins to build a new life and gain a sense of independence. After accepting a job as a caregiver for Joshua Miller’s father, she discovers it’s more difficult to keep her heart closed than she imagined. But when her past catches up with her, she must reconcile her beliefs in order to brave an uncertain future with an open heart.
Buy Links:
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Reconcile-Hollow-Hearts-Book-3-ebook/dp/B00T1P9OLG/ref=la_B00KQM0FQ6_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427721086&sr=1-1
Barnes and Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reconcile-christina-yother/1121283261?ean=9780692368770
Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/516002
iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/reconcile/id970818259?mt=11
Books A Million – http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Reconcile/Christina-Yother/9780692368770?id=6253892387727