Ask the Author: Lexa Hillyer
Answered Questions (10)
Lexa Hillyer
I wanted to see what would happen if I gave Aurora, from Sleeping Beauty, agency in her own story - a journey of her own. I also thought of giving her a sister, and once I did, the character of Isbe was born, and I loved her so much I knew I had to follow the idea through and write the book!
Lexa Hillyer
Oh, thank you! I still love writing poetry but I have fallen in love with fiction writing lately. Actually my newest book (which isn't out yet) is a novel with poetry IN it. As for fairy tale retellings - I think they offer so much fun space to take something familiar and make it your own, which is sort of how I see poetry too-- you take the every day world and make it different, more lush and surprising.
Lexa Hillyer
Yes! Winter Glass picks up right where Spindle Fire leaves off! :)
Lexa Hillyer
What a lovely question--makes me so happy to hear that! At the moment I'm not working on a second Proof of Forever novel, but I'm extremely excited about the characters in my next book, Spindle Fire. I hope you'll fall in love with them, too :).
Lexa Hillyer
Hone your craft. Writing is not supposed to be easy. And you should not settle for decent--you should strive for greatness, otherwise what's the point!!?? To that end, take classes, share your work with other writers and mentors, and practice-practice-practice. Always challenge yourself--it's not just about putting words down, it's about putting exciting, special words down in innovative, thoughtful, emotionally-committed ways. BE your characters. Live and breathe what they experience, and that will come out on the page.
And, if you're in need of some structural advice or other inspiration, check out Paper Lantern Lit's GET LIT video series!!! Loads of really helpful stuff here, folks, and I'm in two of 'em--and Lauren Oliver's in one as well! :) -
And, if you're in need of some structural advice or other inspiration, check out Paper Lantern Lit's GET LIT video series!!! Loads of really helpful stuff here, folks, and I'm in two of 'em--and Lauren Oliver's in one as well! :) -
Lexa Hillyer
By reading writers who are better than I am. Also TALKING. Sometimes writers like to be secretive about what they're working on but I find that the more I talk about it, the more it comes together and I'm able to stay committed to the story.
Lexa Hillyer
I just finished the first draft of a new novel--a contemporary YA--and the way it started was one morning when I was still in the middle of revising Proof of Forever, I woke up and began writing about three sisters. I have two sisters and I knew I wanted to tell a story about sisters in some way or another. Then I had to think about what had happened. The part I woke up writing was a funeral, so I decided to start the book with a death that shakes the world of the living. Then I did research about the death in order to get more ideas, and started working on the rest of the concept from there.
With my latest WIP, there were themes from the sisters book that I wanted to explore more deeply but didn't get to. Then I had the idea of going really literal with those themes. I can't really explain what I mean without giving away the SECRET of my newest project!
It's smart and memorable to start with something concrete. A super clear first image or a shocking scene that really gets the ball rolling. This will help you pitch your book and help readers remember what it's about. It'll also throw off more steam for your creative engines.
Basically, ideas themselves come from everywhere--the news, art, movies, stories you hear people tell, dreams, experiences, images that particularly strike you, phrases or song lyrics you can't get out of your head--but you know it's a good one when there's a piece of your own heart in it; when it gives you a chance to spend more time exploring one of your obsessions. There are really only so many themes: mortality, connection, selfhood, loss, love. It's helpful to know what really makes you tick, and make sure you bring that passion to any idea you decide to write.
In the end the most important thing isn't the idea behind the book--it's the rigor and clarity and intentionality with which you WRITE about it. Committing--plunging in deeply--is the best way to get great results.
With my latest WIP, there were themes from the sisters book that I wanted to explore more deeply but didn't get to. Then I had the idea of going really literal with those themes. I can't really explain what I mean without giving away the SECRET of my newest project!
It's smart and memorable to start with something concrete. A super clear first image or a shocking scene that really gets the ball rolling. This will help you pitch your book and help readers remember what it's about. It'll also throw off more steam for your creative engines.
Basically, ideas themselves come from everywhere--the news, art, movies, stories you hear people tell, dreams, experiences, images that particularly strike you, phrases or song lyrics you can't get out of your head--but you know it's a good one when there's a piece of your own heart in it; when it gives you a chance to spend more time exploring one of your obsessions. There are really only so many themes: mortality, connection, selfhood, loss, love. It's helpful to know what really makes you tick, and make sure you bring that passion to any idea you decide to write.
In the end the most important thing isn't the idea behind the book--it's the rigor and clarity and intentionality with which you WRITE about it. Committing--plunging in deeply--is the best way to get great results.
Lexa Hillyer
I'm so excited about my new WIP! I just began drafting it: it's a YA spin on an old classic/concept that I really love. And it weaves in themes of sisterhood and memory and discovering your own voice. There are elements of fantasy, which is totally new for me, so it is going to be a really big challenge!
I'm also waiting on revision notes on my second YA novel which has not been announced yet. It's sort of a twisty and emotional literary mystery/ contemporary sister story and I think it'll come out in 2016 so stay tuned for that!
I'm also waiting on revision notes on my second YA novel which has not been announced yet. It's sort of a twisty and emotional literary mystery/ contemporary sister story and I think it'll come out in 2016 so stay tuned for that!
Lexa Hillyer
The best part is the moment you reread something you wrote, and it hits you that you didn't realize it was true--you didn't even know it at all--until you read it in your own words. It's crazy. The mind holds so much that is subconscious--and sometimes the unconscious moves straight through your fingers onto the page when you let your ego get out of the way. Some people call it the muse but I really think it's the miracle of the subconscious mind, absorbing and feeling things in a way that's far more profound than what our conscious mind processes.
So yeah--that!
Also getting to wear your PJs all day isn't bad :).
So yeah--that!
Also getting to wear your PJs all day isn't bad :).
Lexa Hillyer
Try writing something else entirely, just for fun. Or if staring at the blank page is just way too crippling, then read-read-read-read. After reading a few books or poems that I wish I'd written myself, I can't help but get that itch to try my hand at it again. It helps to read really mindfully--what is the author doing that you find particularly cool and exciting, either with plot, pacing, character, or prose? Challenge yourself to mimic that. Copying the style of other authors helps you discover flexibility and range in your own voice and sometimes gets you out of a rut. Also, when in doubt, lots of caffeine REALLY helps. GOOD LUCK!
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