Hotline Girl, YA by K. Dawn Byrd
1) What would you like readers to take away from your book?
It's important that
when Christian teens choose a boyfriend or girlfriend, they choose someone who
shares their Christian faith.
2) Why did you write this book?
I thought it would be fun to explore how a couple could fall in love on-line. When my heroine's high school begins a counseling hotline, she's chosen to work it anonymously. She finds herself giving advice to a guy she's had a crush on forever. Once she knows all the hero's secret, will love blossom or fail? When he divulges the problems he's having with his girlfriend, she's tempted to give him advice that will break them up. Will she do the right thing?
3) What did you learn while writing this book?
I really love writing for the young adult market. Bouncing back to YA after writing suspense is a refreshing break.
4) What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?
Finding time to write. I work a full-time job and am on call a lot of weekends, which means that I have to be really devoted to my writing time. I set aside at least an hour every night, six days a week if possible. The fact that I start with a well-developed plot makes things move faster.
I fill out character sketches in order to get to know my
characters better. I ask myself what their goals are, what motivates them, and
what's keeping them from reaching their goals. Sometimes, I start by writing a
synopsis. This gives me information about the plot as it develops. I usually
have a pretty strong plot before I actually begin the story.
A big time plotter. Because I write all of my books in
30-day marathons, I have to start with a thorough plot. That doesn't mean that
sometimes the story doesn't take a life of its own, surprising me when it takes
me down a road I hadn't planned to travel.
7) What are you working on right now?
I'm working on a thriller about a serial killer. It's a
difficult story because there are several twists and turns and I have to be
careful how I write it for everything to fall into place correctly.
8) Do you listen to music when you write and if so, what kind of music –
or do you find it distracts you?
I must have total peace and quiet when I write. I
hate it because it keeps me from writing sometimes when I'd like to.
9) Tell us about your latest release.
When the school counselor asks Abby to work a counseling chat line, she begs her to choose someone else. When Race, Abby's three-year crush, begins using the chat line to talk about his girlfriend problems, can Abby be impartial when she really wants to tell him to dump her?
Race notices Abby after she has a complete make-over. He begins to spend more time with her and feels like a cheater because he likes the hotline girl too. How can he like two girls at once?
Abby is thrilled when Race begins spending time with her, but she's crushed when he tells the hotline girl that he likes her and wants to take her out. Is he a player? Will he even want to be with her when he finds out that she is the hotline girl and knows all his deepest secrets?
My personal definition of
success has nothing to do with money. To me, a successful person is one who is
happy and enjoys life.
11) How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email,
website)
Email: kdawnbyrd@yahoo.com
Bio:
K. Dawn Byrd is an author of
inspirational novels in several genres, including historical, suspense,
romance, and young adult. Some of her favorite things are chocolate, sports cars,
and her pets. Her hobbies include reading, writing, and riding down country
roads in the passenger seat of her husband's Corvette Stingray. When asked why
she writes, her response is, "For the simple joy of placing words on the
page!"
Author Links:
Facebook Christian Fiction Gathering: https://www.facebook.com/groups/christianfictiongathering/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/k.d.byrd.7
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kdawnbyrd
Thank you so much for visiting me today, Dawn, this was a great interview. Here's hoping for great success with your latest venture!
Comments
Interesting to me since I write YA novels as well as adult novels. I always enjoy reading good interviews.
I've written a little bit of everything. My publisher lets me pretty much write whatever I'm in the mood to write. That's a real blessing!