The Interview - Christopher Hudson
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Can you describe your writing process?
Well, it's been different for all three of my books. The latest grew out of a vague idea that a friend mentioned to me and grew for several years in my mind until the story blossomed into a book. Once I had the concept, I just pecked away until the manuscript was finally done.
What’s the most challenging part of writing for you?
Discipline ... I'm not the most disciplined person in the world, so I have to push myself to stay on track.
How do you develop your characters?
They grow with the story ... I've always felt the characters are the most important part of a story.
Who are your biggest influences as a writer?
Really, just stories and characters I've come to know over the years ... both from books and movies (I'm a big movie buff).
How do you handle writer’s block?
I learned a while ago to write a little every day ... even if it is just a sentence. Some days you get inspired and write a whole page ... I just go with the flow.
What do you enjoy most about being an author?
Telling stories.
What are you currently working on?
It is something of a sequel to my latest tome, Pacific Swell ... I'm continuing with the same character.
How do you celebrate when you finish a book?
You know, it is such a process, that there really is no definitive end ... there is editing, proofing, then fixing typos after you thought it was all clean (arrrrggg), so I never really feel like I've crossed a finish line.
What do you want your legacy as an author to be?
That someone enjoyed my stories as much as I did.
What’s your favorite piece of writing advice?
Write what you know.
Which book of yours was the most difficult to write, and why?
The first one. Hard to grind out that first story, not knowing if you can do it. Once you get one done, you realize it is possible, so the next one is less tough (still tough, but less so).
How do you choose your book covers?
I found a great service, called Miblart ... they do terrific covers.
How do you approach world-building in your stories?
The world I create in my story is really a reflection of the world I know.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever researched for a book?
I had to do a fair amount of research on the immigration process for Pacific Swell ... that took me into strange areas.
Do you prefer writing standalone books or series?
Standalone.
What do you do when you get stuck on a particular scene?
Just peck away at it until something breaks.