Linda Hawley (edit name/settings)

I've done at least a few dozen interviews all over the globe, and I thought I'd post some of those here.

Q: Why dystopian?

I love reading and watching dystopian books and movies. I like the drama of it, and finding a sense of hope among the chaos. I also really love a good trilogy, and using a dystopian society for the trilogy worked. Do you know how some dystopian novels are so depressing? I didn’t want that to be the primary feeling in my novels, so I really worked to ensure that the main character was multidimentional, and that I included humor and normalcy in her life. I will give you a little teaser about the next two books and tell you readers that you’ll have to strap yourself in for the ride in the next two books, because Ann’s normalcy starts to fade.

Q: You wrote Dreams Unleashed as a "clean read." Can you tell us why?

A “clean read” can mean many things to many people. My definition is: a novel that avoids cussing/swearing/foul language, premarital sex, or gratuitous sexual intimacy. Some might say that without those things, the story is boring. I sure hope not!

As an author, I feel a sense of responsibility to deliver a story that’s interesting, adventurous, and exciting, and still a “clean read.” In writing The Prophecies trilogy, I made a decision about one-third of the way through the first book to write it clean. I didn’t feel like it was a challenge; it was more of a decision that I felt very good about. I knew that I had to show readers that I had enough grasp of the English language to write the story well, without relying on extraneous cussing and sex.

In the current publishing environment, books are categorized as children’s, young adult, adult, etc. I can see the benefit of doing this for marketing purposes, however, when authors write young adult books that are filled with material that I (as a mother) find offensive, I wonder at the value of this categorization. I am thrilled that a tween all the way up to an elderly person can read my novels, enjoying the story I’ve woven for them. I like knowing that the legacy I am leaving behind for my children is worth having.

Q: What’s your favorite part of writing a book?

My favorite part of writing novels is the creation of the characters, and the things that they do. My goal is multidimentional characters that jump off the page. Once I create the characters, they become real to me, and I can easily tell whether they would do this or that. It’s like they’re living (but in my head).

Q: What's your favorite childhood book?

When I was a child, we didn’t have much money, so the only way I could get books to read was from the Bookmobile that would come into our neighborhood. I think I might have read every YA book in that Bookmobile. My imagination came alive with Nancy Drew; I think that’s why I love suspense in books and movies.

Q: What do you do when you hit a creative roadblock?

For me, writing is the easy part. There was one junction in writing Dreams Unleashed, where I ran out of ideas. I was talking in bed with my husband (at 3:00 AM, after writing), and told him that I had no idea what would happen to this character next. I said that my mind was a blank—nothing was happening. The next day, from work, he sent me an email with some ideas he had. One really funny idea stuck, and you'll find it in chapter 22 of Dreams Unleashed; it has to do with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Q: Can you tell us little bit more about yourself, family, or hobbies (other than writing or reading)?

I've kayaked from one island to another in the Carribean. I've backpacked the Appalachian Trail in West Virginia with the Sierra Club. I've attended a Christmas party at the White House and have been on Air Force One. I've been to Europe many times (I am in love with Paris). I’ve jumped out of a plane and had my parachute lines tangle, making me think through the emergency rather quickly. Of course, I've skied Mount Baker and sailed the San Juan Islands, which are both featured in Dreams Unleashed.