The Book Landers: What inspired you to start
writing? (I know, I know--it's probably a hackneyed question, but it still
bears worth asking)
Reyna Hawk: While growing up I would listen to
my mom and dad tell stories of different events in their lives, this stirred a
creative spark in me and I began to create my own stories. In fact, I wrote
much of the Valentine/Petrilo series in the 1990’s, but left it lay on a shelf.
It wasn’t until 2012 that I felt it had evolved enough to be made available to
the public. Now that I signed with a publisher, the series that started it all
for me has gone under extensive editing and will be released under the
publisher in 2015. When I think back on how my writing all began in the 1990’s,
it still amazes me how far I have come. I never thought I would be signed with
a publisher with almost ten books under my belt.
TBL: Who is your favorite author?
RH: I’m not sure I have one particular
author that I’d call my favorite. I have certain ones that if they release a
new book, I will definitely check it out and see if it’s something I like. I am
quicker to look over an indie author’s work than I am the mainstream because I
know the struggle of being an indie author. Unfortunately, as of lately I
haven’t had much to read due to my writing.
TBL: How would you describe your
writing method? Do you outline?
RH: I will write out a very brief
outline of what I’d like to put into the book, but it is nothing concrete. I
have been known to scrap almost an entire book because I didn’t like the
ending. I begin with a thought, an idea of where I want the storyline to go and
then I just begin writing. It can be rather scattered with thoughts and ideas,
however once I get that creativity flowing the storyline begins to take shape
making the writing process a bit easier.
TBL: If you could meet any fictional
character, who would it be?
RH: Out of my books I would love to
meet Malachi. He is what many would call the perfect man. LOL and being single
for nearly five years now, meeting the perfect man would be awesome. All
kidding aside though, Malachi is such a caring, honest, and genuine person it
would be good to know someone with such character. Although, if I needed
something done (wink, wink) then I would like to meet Rico. Naturally, it
doesn’t hurt that both men are gorgeous!
TBL: How do you develop a character
in your writing? What questions do you ask yourself when creating a character?
RH: I first think of the person’s
upbringing, the normal questions of where did they come from? What were their
parents like? Did they have any siblings? What stage of life are they at right
now? Did they have a happy childhood? Or have they suffered some sort of
tragedy? I want to get their personality and their behavior done to a science
before I introduce them. I may not always divulge why the character is the way
they are right from the beginning, but little by little I will express to the
readers just what has happened in that character’s life to make them the way
they are.
TBL: Is there something you *must*
need when you write? (ie. coffee, music, tea, etc)
RH: Well I have to have Diet Pepsi,
aside from that there really isn’t much more I would say that I need. Once I
get on a roll, I can write for hours without even realizing that amount of time
has passed. Sometimes music will help me to develop certain aspects of the
storyline, but I do not need it.
TBL: What is one song that would
describe the theme of your novel?
RH: The one song that seems to fit for
Angels and Arrows is the song by Evanescence titled Wake Me up Inside; anyone who hasn’t heard that song should at
least look up the lyrics. Every time I hear this song, I think of this book.
TBL: Angels and Arrows is based on
true stories--how did you get the idea to base a book off true events?
RH: The events that have happened many
may not believe, but they did happen and have many witnesses. No one can really
explain that thin veil that hangs between this world and that of death. Every
person has his or her own opinion on the afterlife, I believe after reading
this book it will make some rethink their thoughts on angels, demons, spirits,
and the afterlife.
TBL: Dogs or cats?
RH: Well I actually prefer cats,
because they fit my personality LOL mysterious, quiet, and full of attitude.
However, I do like dogs and actually have two—a border collie mix, Anna, and a
husky Dakota. Both keep me entertained with their antics and goofiness.
TBL: Any advice for aspiring
writers?
RH: Never give up on your dream. It’s
not an easy road of becoming an author, but the scenery can make the journey
more pleasurable.
TBL: Thank you!
About the Author
Reyna Hawk is a 47 yr. old mother of one son and grandmother to one little girl. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio she has had the passion for storytelling and writing since her teen years. Reyna's main genre is romantic suspense although she does have works in the paranormal genre and psychological thriller. Reyna is currently published through Ravenswood Publishing, GMTA Independent Publishing LLC & Libertine Press.
Reyna currently holds an Associate of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Culture Anthropology.
Links to follow Reyna:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReynaHawk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReynaHawk
Email: reynahawk@gmail.com
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/reynahawk/
Website: http://www. author-reynahawk.com
About the Book:
Maria Ridge was born having gifts that allowed her to see and
speak to the spirit world. As she aged these gifts became more of a curse than
a blessing. At 18 she escaped the taunting from not only the town but also from
her family to embark on a journey that leads her to discover others like
herself, secrets to her past, and the reality of her gifts. With the help of
her new friend, Allie, Maria feels she finally found her place in this world.
The destined meeting of Ash awakens the two girls to the fine veil between this
world and the next. Can Maria survive the haunting evil that threatens her?
This book is based on true paranormal events that are due to
personal experiences or eyewitness accounts. The names of people and places
have been changed strictly to enhance the story line.
Sneak Peek:
“Wake up!”
the faint female voice screamed frantically causing Allie to stir in her
slumber as she tried to reposition herself in the beige rocker recliner; the
voice had barely penetrated into her brain.
“Wake up!
He’s killing her!” This time the voice echoed through the two-story country
home jolting Allie awake.
“That was
weird.” Allie thought to herself as she sat up and gazed at the television as
the DVD’s screen saver started the movie’s intro music again.
“Damn, we
missed the ass end of the movie.” Allie chuckled, turning the table lamp on
shifting her attention toward me. For a fleeting moment, Allie wasn’t sure if
she was asleep or possibly hallucinating, for what she saw made her heart stop
and fear race through her veins. Allie’s eyes had directed their focus at the
ugliest most inhuman being she had ever seen crouched on top of me. The beast
appeared to be choking me while whispering inaudible words in my ear. The
monster slowly turned its gaze to meet Allie’s and let out a deep throttle of a
laugh licking its grey lips as thick greenish mucous oozed from the side of its
mouth.
“You’re
next.” It growled as it leapt toward Allie. However, when the beast caught its
reflection in a sconce mirror it screeched out in terror and instantly
evaporated into thin air leaving behind black speckles of matter that
disintegrated as they floated to the ground.
“Maria!”
Allie gasped at the sight of my pale pasty face and bluish lips. Allie jumped
to her feet rushing to the couch where I lay motionless.
“Maria!”
she yelled, grabbing my shoulders and shaking me violently. Every light in the
house had begun to flash and flicker; Allie prayed the electrical issues were
due to the powerful summer storm passing through the area.
“Maria!
Wake up!” Allie screamed out in panic; slapping me across the face causing my
eyes to snap open wide as I gasped out in desperation for air.
“Oh God
he’s here and he’s pissed!” I choked and heaved trying to catch my breath; my
clothes reeked of the beast’s foul stench. I sat on the edge of the couch
trying to gain my senses, leaving a clump of hair on the pillow.
“Jesus!”
Allie gasped picking up the hair and inspecting it.
“Jesus had
nothing to do with that.” I added fighting the inevitable tears. Thunder and
lightning from the late summer storm rumbled through the town. The rain seemed
to come down in bucketful’s as it beat against the roof and sides of the house.
The lights flickered with every crack of lightning and crash of thunder.
