Well, I’m the author of Deadly to Love (Elemental Killers 1). I love reading and writing and that’s what I spend most of my time doing now I have a year off before university. I took A-levels in History, Drama & Theatre Studies, Photography and English language (much to the dismay of my teachers who wanted me to major in science and maths).
I love anything paranormal, which is mainly the genre I write in besides romance and I have an overactive imagination that taunts me in the night when I’ve read or watched something scary. Until you get to know me, I’m quite shy but none of my closest friends or family would agree with that statement. Other than that I love escaping to new worlds either in books, movies or the little worlds inside my head!
What number book is this? First? 100th? 200th?(Nora only!)
Deadly to Love is the first book in the Elemental Killers series however, it is the third novel I have completed. The sequel is coming out within the next month though and I have a few more waiting to be edited.
Everyone who writes knows it's not easy - what methods do you use to keep at it on days when it would be so much easier to go shoe shopping?
I just love creating worlds and stories and that passion helps me sit down to write everyday. For me writing the book isn’t the hard part, it’s everything that comes after it I have trouble keeping up with. Editing, marketing, copywriting, the list goes on. For me that’s what I find hardest, getting the story down is easy for me after I’ve planned it.
I think the main thing that keeps me going besides my love of it is discipline. I’ve got myself into a routine where I’m writing, editing, reading and promoting everyday so now it’s just natural to me. I think being disciplined is a big part of being able to finish a book. Ideas come to me all the time, but without discipline I’d never sit down to write them.
What is your top promo tip for other authors?
I’d say it would be to keep an active online presence. Nowadays there are so many authors out there that if you stop promoting for even a day you fall off the radar and have to work your way back up. I try and spend at least two hours a day doing some kind of promotional activity for my books.
How does writing fit into your day? Or does your day fit in around your writing?
I have recently taken a year out from education to focus on my writing. Instead of going off to university, I deferred my application (much to the annoyance of my careers advisors in college) and therefore I have nothing that gets in the way of it. My writing takes priority over most things and I work on it every day. I will admit the time I spend writing can vary as it depends on my mood. One day I will write 15,000 words while the next day I may only do 3,000 (which is my minimum for any day). I’m trying to make the most of this year while I have it as I know not everyone gets a chance like this. My plan is to write as many books as I can and get a minimum of six book released by this time next year!
Is there a book you haven't written yet that you're dying to? What genre?
I think if I started listing books I want to write I would never stop! I have three note pads and countless documents with ideas and plans on them. It seems every time I start a new book I get a few new ideas that I can’t wait to start. I have nine books planned and ready to write at the moment but there are probably two main ideas at the top of my pile. The first is the fourth and final book in the Elemental Killers series. I’m releasing the second soon and am editing the third so I’m excited (and a bit sad) to start the final one.
The second book is one I’ve just started to write recently. It’s going to be different from anything I’ve written before as I’ve decided to limit the romance and focus on action. I haven’t revealed much about it yet but it has an urban setting, a paranormal twist and plenty of action. It also has a very strong female lead who is turning out to be a lot of fun to create. She has a temper and it’s fun to work with. J
Keeping fit: Do you have an exercise regime to counterbalance all those hours sitting at a computer?
I try…honestly I do. However, most of the time I end up running in my head. I think and know I should go but my body doesn’t get out the front door – especially in the winter and UK’s rain. My mind continues running around my country lanes but I’m pretty sure it doesn’t have any benefits ;) I do exercise at least a few times a week but I’m thinking I should get a treadmill so I can combine reading and exercise to push me to do more!
At what point in your career did you actually start to feel like you were a writer?
I’ve been writing as long as I can remember and still have a book of poems I wrote when I was four. They make me laugh! I got my first poem published at the age of twelve and then two more after that at fourteen and sixteen. However, it wasn’t until I released my first novel that I felt like I had accomplished anything that made me a writer. Before that it was just a hobby and now although it is something I enjoy I’m trying to make a career out of it rather than thinking it’s just for fun. I suppose when my books started selling was when I felt like an author because it meant I had created something people wanted and I could see the results.
Do you write to music, or with the TV on in the background, or do you need complete silence?
Music is a big must when I’m writing as I find it traps me inside my own little writing bubble and focuses me. I have to have the right music playing to fit the atmosphere of the scene I am writing though because otherwise it’s just a hindrance. Mostly I use film scores as they are perfect for creating moods – it’s what they were designed to do after all – so fit great with images in my head. They also have no lyrics that can distract me by making me sing along (badly) which is a bonus.
Do you have any tips, tricks or sacrificial rituals you do when you hit a story roadblock?
Personally I’m all about prevention. I’ve never suffered from writer’s block and the only time I get stuck is in the planning stages (which is to be expected when figuring out your plot). When writing I will never stop at the end of a chapter but rather continue on into the middle of the next one. I find this helps as I don’t lose my train of thought when I come back to the book the next day and it isn’t as hard to get into. Also, I have to have detailed, character profiles, setting information and a chapter by chapter break down before I start writing. I may deviate from it slightly at times but the book always returns to it and I find it helps me keep track of everything and allows me to just write rather than have to think about where I want the book to go each time I sit down at my desk.
by Mia Hoddell
YA/Romance/Paranormal/Fantasy
The world is dangerous – but love will kill you.
Little did Serena Jackson know that one simple, flirty remark to an anonymous guy online would lead to her world being changed forever.
She doesn’t know him, but inexplicably, is drawn. She knows it is wrong but she agrees to meet.
His real name is Kai. He is beautiful. And immediately Serena feels herself blindly falling for him even though she senses a lie. She knows he is hiding something and it terrifies her.
What she doesn’t realise is that her entire life has been built on secrets and lies. The people she loved left her in the dark for a reason.
She trusted them. She trusts Kai. But as he pulls her straight into the heart of the danger the lies and deadly secrets are revealed. They overwhelm her, and the person she once was no longer exists as she is thrown into a ruthless world of elemental forces. The price of truth is her life—and now the world wants her dead.
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About the Author
Mia Hoddell lives in the UK with her family and two cats. She spends most of her time writing or reading and loves anything paranormal. Mia always had a love of writing but never reading. She was more interested in sports and hated sitting still - despite getting three poems published before the age of sixteen. Finally though, she found some novels that captured her interest and developed a love of reading which is now one of her favourite hobbies.
Mia began with poems before moving on to short stories. Although she enjoyed this, Mia found she had too much to tell with too little space, so later on she created her first series 'The Wanderer Trilogy' and from there other ideas have emerged. With a total of nine books planned at this moment, she is busy working on her second series 'Elemental Killers' before moving onto the next idea on her ever growing list.
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