Dazzled by Books

 

Ali: Hello C. C. Hunter. Thank you for visiting Dazzled by Books on this lovely Monday. I wanted to kick this interview off with a question about your new book "Midnight Hour." Where did you get your inspiration for "Midnight Hour"?

C. C. Hunter: Midnight Hour is the tenth and final book in the Shadow Falls series.  When I first started the series, it was in Kylie Galen’s point of view.  But I quickly realized that her two roommates, Della and Miranda, had so much depth they would make great protagonists as well. So when I finished writing Kylie’s books, I moved onto Della’s story.  And I knew I had to write Miranda’s.  It’s so strange how her story just fell out of me.  As if each time I wrote a scene with her in it, I was plotting her novel before I even knew that I was doing it.

A: Did you always want to be a writer?

CCH: Being dyslexic, I never considered being a writer when I was young.  I didn’t read for pleasure until I was over twenty.  But being southern, storytelling was a part of my life. Even at the dinner table when we were telling about our day, you had to make it good. And I was pretty good at it.  I practiced a lot.  You see, if I hadn’t been dyslexic, I’m sure I would have been a book nerd because I loved getting lost in a different world.  So, instead of reading, I retreated alone to a spot in the woods, or I’d go to a small creek about a mile from my house, and I told myself stories about cute boys and adventures. A story went on in my head for months.  So in a way, even though I didn’t really know it, I was already writing books in my head.  I was twenty-three before I even considered trying to write.  I had so much to learn, because while storytelling was in my blood, writing a story is different.  I had to learn how to write and how to deal with the dyslexia. It took me ten years to publish my first book.  But now, I can’t stop writing.

 A: That is quite an accomplishment. I have to say you must be very proud of your achievement. I think your story can be used as inspiration to others that may have similar difficulties that they can do whatever they put there mind too. If could describe your book in five words, what five would you use?

CCH: Romantic, magical, redeeming, sassy, intense.

 A: What was the hardest part writing "Midnight Hour"?

CCH: Saying goodbye to Shadow Falls.  I cried so hard when I finished it. I wanted it to be the best book of the ten.  So I gave it a lot of blood, sweat and tears.

A: What is your favorite thing about writing "Midnight Hour"?

CCH: Seeing Miranda find her courage.  She’s a little like the lion in Wizard of Oz.  With each girl I wrote about, I gave them pieces of myself.  Miranda is a dyslexic witch.  Having dyslexia can create insecurity issues.  Miranda overcame those issues and really became an amazing and courageous young woman.  I also loved writing the point of view Perry Gomez.  His story of reuniting with the parents who abandoned him as child was so emotional.

 

 



 

 

 

A: Do you have any habits while writing? For example: a specific snack food you need to have or maybe music playing in the background.

CCH: Hmm…  I can’t listen to music with lyrics while I write, but I love finding songs to go with the book.  Snacks?  I love cheese and fruit.  And around 3 PM I will get a few slices of a pear or a peach and some cheese so I have stamina to keep writing until 6 or 7 PM.  I’m also the type of writer who doesn’t do well writing at Starbucks or other places. I always accomplish more work when writing in my office.  And my office is an organized mess.

A: Sounds like the perfect place. What is your favorite thing to do when you aren't writing?

CCH: I love to travel, to read, walk my dog, drink wine with friends, all while thinking about my plots. What can I say, I’m a workaholic.

A: Now to one of our fun questions. Disney Villain or Disney Princess/Prince?

CCH: I’m not a villain, but I’m more of a kick butt princess who wears pants instead of dresses, and could save the prince if he gets in a bad spot.

 A: Do you know the Muffin Man?

CCH: Who lives in Mulberry Lane?  The nursery rhyme? Actually, I haven’t met him, but I’m always up to meeting new characters.  Tell him to drop by, bring his muffins, but leave his wooden spoon at home.

 A: Last but not least. What do you think is the most special thing about this world you have created?

CCH: The characters and the relationships they have formed, worked through, and found at Shadow Falls.  From the friendships between Miranda, Kylie and Della, to the romances between hot supernatural guys attending the school.   I love the bond between Holiday, the camp leader, and the students.  There’s even the segregate-father relationships formed between the students and Holiday’s brusque-but-still-loveable-vampire husband, Burnett.  Not to forget the relationship between the students and their parents.  I love writing shaky relationships and solving problems.

A: Thank you so much for coming by C. C. Hunter. I really appreciated you coming to speak with our readers. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day. 

 



 

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