Romance at Heart Magazine Author Interview: Lynda Hilburn

Interview with Lynda Hilburn:

Hi Lynda. Thank you for doing this interview. I would like to welcome you to the Romance at Heart Interview and Author Grilling session. *bg* We are interested to find out as much about you as we possibly can, so lets get started...

- Please tell us about your latest book.

Thank you for asking! My latest book is actually my first fiction sale. It’s a 12,000-word spicy vampire humor/satire w/romance elements, called “Diary of a Narcissistic Bloodsucker.” It’s the story of a very jaded, self-absorbed bad girl – who just happens to be a vampire. She loves men and manages to get herself into a predicament because of her tendency to bed them and bleed them. While the story tells about an episode in the vampire’s life (her name is Zara), it’s a little tongue-in-cheek. I originally wrote it to submit for possible inclusion in an anthology (they’d asked for the lead character to be a quirky vampire). The anthology didn’t happen, but I was able to sell the story.

- What can we expect from you in the future?

I just found out that a publisher is interested in my novel, so I’ve got my fingers crossed that my book (a paranormal urban fantasy w/romance elements), tentatively called “The Vampire Shrink,” will be coming to a bookstore near you in the not-so-distant future! It’s about a Denver psychologist (I’m a psychotherapist, so there’s a lot of me in this character!) who meets a young vampire-wannabe and gets pulled into the vampire underground. She falls for two men: a gorgeous, ancient bloodsucker and an irreverent FBI agent. Then there are the bad vampires!

My agent keeps asking me how far I’ve gotten with the second book in the series, so I’ll have to stop mumbling and start writing faster.

I’m also working on some more short stories, this time under a pen name (they’re erotica!), and I’m also in the midst of completing a novella I’ve pitched to two print houses.

- How do we find out about you and your books?

My short story, “Diary of a Narcissistic Bloodsucker,” is available through The Wild Rose Press. I also have blogs: Paranormality Universe Blog and Lair of the Vampire Blog where I post the latest information about my books and stories. Then there’s my website, www.LyndaHilburn.com, which lists my book information in addition to being a general resource for all the other things I do.

- How may readers contact you?

Here’s my email address for readers: LyndaHilburn@aol.com. I can also be reached through The Wild Rose Press.

- How many readers/fans contact you?

Since this is my first fiction sale, and I just began doing promotional events, I’ve only heard from a dozen or so readers. As I become more visible, I’m eager to connect with people who read my stories and books! The more the better!

- Do your fans' comments and letters influence you in any way?

That’s an unknown, because I’m just getting my author legs at this point. I imagine, like anyone, I’ll be upset by the negative comments and uplifted by the positive! At least until I grow some tougher skin!

- Do you have a favorite comment or question from a reader?

The comment I get most often so far is, “you’re so funny!” That’s a good thing, since my story is trying to be clever and humorous.

- Why did you decide to write romance novels?

Three years ago (when I switched from writing primarily nonfiction to fiction), I didn’t know there was such a huge community of romance writers/readers. I didn’t even know that the books I liked were paranormal romance! It took me a while to find my niche within the genre. For me, a story has to have romance to hold my attention. That’s real life. We all need connections, love, etc. I’m an absolute pushover for a gorgeous man with long hair and soulful eyes. I’m so grateful that I found the romance community, because everything I’ve learned about becoming a published writer, I learned from romance writers!

- How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?

Maybe because I’m a counselor/psychotherapist, but I believe all writers put themselves in their stories. Either it’s a blatant reflection of the writer’s current reality, or the opposite – the personality/experiences she/he wishes were true. Or fears ARE true. Or aspects of the personality come out, showing themselves with “realistic” or the “shadow” manifestations. My personality and experiences permeate my writing. All of my characters tend to be verbal/cerebral. They (hey, I’m a psychotherapist!) do a lot of introspection and their dialog tends to be layered. “The Vampire Shrink” was the first book I completed. The main character (a psychologist) is a clear aspect of myself. Except she’s much prettier, younger and thinner! Zara, the character in “Diary of a Narcissistic Bloodsucker” is witty and self-centered. I’m sure there’s an aspect of me that’s like that, too! And all my other stories. The men I write are my dream men – positive and negative. Or they’re reflections of childhood relationships. I guess I’m saying that all my stories are me in disguise. I tend to write character-driven stories.

- When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?

It was an inspiration out of the blue. A thump on the head from the universe. A student in one of the hypnotherapy classes I was teaching (this was about 3 years ago), noticed the vampire books in my bookshelf and she asked me if I’d read a certain author’s work. I hadn’t, but the stories and characters sounded so intriguing, that I went right over to my local library and checked out a few. After getting excited about my newly discovered “paranormal romance” resources, I went nuts reading everything I could find. One day I was sitting in front of my computer and I just started playing around with an idea. After I wrote about a chapter, I surfed the web, looking for writer resources. I was blown away by the scope of the romance writing network. I joined RWA, and my local chapters, and then an organization called Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers in Colorado. I’ve been learning and getting support ever since. I decided to submit 3 chapters/synopsis of “The Vampire Shrink” when a published author who judged a contest I was a finalist in suggested it was time I took myself seriously as a writer. And the submissions continue!

- Generally, how long does it take you to write a book?

Since I’ve only written one full-length novel so far, that’s the only experience I’ve had. That book took me 14 months to finish. My short stories and novellas take less time. I’m lucky that I work for myself, so my schedule is flexible. I can pretty much write every day – if I can chain myself to the chair long enough.

- Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?

I definitely go with the flow. I’m a seat-of-the-pants writer. I get an idea, and I sit down and write it. I never know where a story is going until it’s finished. Then I go back and see what needs to be added/subtracted/embellished.

- What about your family, do they know not to bother you when you are writing - or are there constant interruptions?

My son is all grown up and living on his own and I’m divorced, so I live alone. The only distractions are the ones I create to keep myself from writing!!

- What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?

I love to sing, and – theoretically – take long walks in the mountains. I teach hypnotherapy/visualization techniques, and once in a while I can remember to practice what I preach!

- What truly motivates you in general? In your writing?

I’m motivated by a need to express myself. I’ve always been that way. I started out thinking I’d be a professional singer for my whole life (and I still love singing and performing), but so many other things drew my attention. I started writing very young – mostly nonfiction. Then I got excited about metaphysics and the intuitive arts. Then psychology. Then hypnotherapy. I just can’t help myself. There’s always something new to learn/do! So, I just keep adding things. Writing is wonderful because it’s totally up to me when/if I sit down and work. Now, selling the stories is a different thing all together!

- Where do your ideas come from?

I’ve actually gotten a lot of ideas from my psychotherapy clients. For example, the young woman client who comes to the psychologist in “The Vampire Shrink” claims to desire to be a vampire. That was inspired by a real client situation. And I’ve spent so many years around metaphysical things, that ideas are everywhere!

- Do you feel humour is important in women's fiction and why?

Well, it’s crucial for me. I can’t seem to write anything completely serious. I tried recently by writing a novella from the POV of the male vampire. He’s a serious sort. Anyway, turns out the woman he was attracted to was one of those clever, witty types. Who knew? And then, he starts expressing that side of himself! What’s a writer to do?

- What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write?

I’ve found sex scenes challenging, not because I don’t love them, but because I’ve had to learn to be more body-centered (and less head-centered) to write them. Luckily, I have a great crit group which includes a couple of erotica writers. They’ve taught me a LOT.

- What kind of research do you do?

Everything I write is contemporary. I just have to show up, be with my clients, and pay attention.

- Would you like to write a different genre than you do now, or sub-genre?

So far, I’m a vampire fiend, so to speak. I’ll probably write mostly paranormal, but also have an interest in psychic fiction and psychological thrillers/mysteries. That will be an entirely different learning curve.

- Do you have a favorite author? Favorite book?

I love J.D. Robb’s “Death” series. She’s created such a wonderful cast of characters. Roarke is, well, awesome. The mystery to be solved in each book is the back-drop for the unfolding of the characters’ lives rather than the central focus. I also like Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake books. Her vampire, Jean-Claude, is my all-time favorite. I also enjoy Charlaine Harris’s Sookie vampire series. The female lead is multi-layered, sweet-yet-savvy and funny. Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files is a favorite, too. Really – give me a vampire book and I’m a happy camper.

- Are you a member of any author groups - RWA, critique groups, etc.?

I belong to RWA, and local chapters: Colorado Romance Writers, Heart of Denver Romance Writers, Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Romance Writers. I also belong to Pikes Peak Writers, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and am in two on-line crit groups.

- What do you think of critique groups in general?

That depends on how confident/passionate a writer is. If you go into the crit group, knowing you have skills and are willing to listen to and learn from compassionate, nonjudgmental feedback, they’re great. If you go into the group feeling insecure, and you find the wrong group, you can be damaged. If the group, or anyone in the group, tends to rewrite what you submit, or can’t see beyond their own prejudices to be helpful to you, run in the opposite direction. Despite what many writers say, there really isn’t one right way to write.

- Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hmmm. Five years? I’d like to have at least 3 of the books in my Vampire Shrink series on the bookshelves, plus other projects (novels, novellas, short stories) contracted. I’d like to be making some portion of my living from writing.

- Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?

I’m a character person. I come up with someone I want to write about, and let the rest of the details arrange themselves.

- Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?

I’d say we do a fair bit of wrestling. I have general ideas – and I’m pretty opinionated – but they just skip off in other directions. I usually follow along to see if I like where they’re going. Since I’ve got a strange sense of humor and a dark side, not much worries me.

- Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

Some of the best advice I got in the beginning was from published writers. They’d been through a lot of the situations most unpubs worry about. They basically said, “don’t sweat the small stuff.” Follow the “rules” if they work for you. Be professional. Expect a huge file of rejection letters – some so cold you’ll get frostbite. Write because you love it. Take chances. Dream big. Be persistent. Be persistent. Be persistent.

Thank you for letting me answer these questions!

Thank you very much for taking the time with us and answering our questions. I really appreciate this interruption to your busy schedule. Good Luck, and we will be looking forward to the next delightful creation from your talented imagination!

Yours in good reading,
Rose!

Lynda's Site Paranormality Universe Blog Lair of the Vampire Blog The Wild Rose Press
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