Monday, January 9, 2017

Author Spotlight, C.M. Huddleston on her award winning book, Greg's First Adventure in Time

WHEN DID YOU FIRST KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A WRITER AND WHY?
I realized as a teenager I wanted to be a writer, but didn’t know how to get started. So I signed up for one of those writing courses advertised in magazines of the period. My mother was cool and calm when the representative came to our house unannounced, but a bit angry with me later in the evening. I was only 16 and, of course, did not have the money to spend on such nonsense. In college, I received an invitation to the Jesse Stuart Writing Workshop based on class work a professor submitted on my behalf. However, again money was an issue, as I needed to spend the summer employed to pay for college in the fall. Then careers, children, and life kept me busy until I self-published Greg’s First Adventure in Time in 2014.
AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU ASPIRE TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? 
A historian
HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE?
Greg’s First Adventure in Time had about 5 names before it was published. All rejected by my author daughter, her children, friends, and family. Finally, I decided to simply use a title that could be adapted throughout the series and would tell children exactly what the book was about.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LINE FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK AND WHY?
“I think they pretended that I was talking to God as he was obviously the only one willing to listen after a few years of incessant one-sided conversations.” When I wrote this book back in 1987, I received about 15 rejected notices from editors. I put the story away and didn’t read it again until 2013. When I did, I realized Greg had NO personality. So, I rewrote the book and made Greg into a mixture of my two grandsons. The youngest talks constantly, unless overwhelmed by life - just like Greg.
WHICH OF YOUR CHARACTERS FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE DO YOU BELIEVE ARE MOST LIKE YOU AND WHY?
Oh, that’s easy - Greg’s mother. I worked as a professional archaeologist for more than 20 years. I had two children and often took them along to dig sites when a child sitter could not be found. Very, very few of their friends had mothers who dug in the dirt for a living, and I was often seen as a novelty.
WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL GLEAN FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK?
My Adventures in Time series is designed to teach children that history can be fun to read and learn. With that said, I also want children to see how Greg matures and gains self confidence through his adventures.
TELL US SOMETHING FUN ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A WRITER:
One of my daughter’s friends homeschools her children. She was planning to read “Greg’s First” aloud, along with her son. When she introduced him to the book, she said “Ethan’s grandmother wrote this,” to which he replied, “I don’t want to read a book written by someone’s granny!” After the first two chapters, she asked if he wanted to continue. He answered, “I guess you can read another chapter, it’s not awful.” What better praise can you get!
WHICH AUTHOR HAS MOST GREATLY INFLUENCED YOUR WRITING STYLE?
Larry McMurtry is a storyteller whom I strive to emulate. His ability to make characters and adventures come to life draws me to read books like Lonesome Dove over and over again. He builds stories around flawed characters that fully capture our hearts and minds. I only hope that my writing might one day be even one-tenth as good.
WHAT BOOK HAS HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE?
I have to list two books by Janice Holt Giles, Miss Willie and The Enduring Hills. I read these books, along with many of Giles other books, over and over in high school and college. Sadly, they all disappeared in one of many military relocations. Giles’ books tell stories of Kentucky folks, people of my home state. I learned from Giles how many of the best stories are of simple folks just living their lives. In the last few years, I have worked to rebuild my collection of her books, which I again enjoy and often re-read.
WHAT OTHER BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED?
Mittie & Thee: An 1853 Roosevelt Romance (under the name Connie M. Huddleston) 
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ACCOMPLISHMENT?
My oldest grandson told me that Greg’s First Adventure in Time made him laugh and cry. He argues with his brother about who Greg resembles more!
DO YOU HAVE ANY WRITING RITUALS?
I require quiet. I have no near neighbors and live on 6 secluded acres. I don’t play music when I write. And each day, I begin at the beginning of the current book and read and edit all the way to where I left off. As the book gets longer, I then begin to skip the first few chapters in this process. Still, I spend about 2 hours reading and editing each day before I begin writing.
HOW DID YOU FIND AN AGENT / GET PUBLISHED?
I have published three adult history books with traditional publishers, and I make about $100 per year on all three. So when self-publishing became an easy process, I decided to go that route instead. It takes a lot of work, but I am happy with my choice. I now have three published Indie books.
WHAT DID YOU DO TO CELEBRATE THE COMPLETION OF YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK?
Nothing, except take a short break from writing Greg’s adventures.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF BECOMING PUBLISHED AND ANY TIPS YOU MIGHT OFFER FOR OTHER ASPIRING AUTHORS?
When I decided to self-publish, I talked with my Indie-author daughter about the process. I then hired an editor and learned to use InDesign for my layout. I already knew about copyrights, ISBNs, etc. ., from helping others get their books ready for publication. I found this part of the process to be the easy part. The hard part was promotion of the books. I am still learning and working on promoting my books. I know that part of being an Indie author will never end. One critical thing I have learned is never rush to publish. Take your time and edit, edit, edit.
CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK?
Read anything and everything about book promotion. Don’t pay for services you can do yourself. BE PATIENT.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS?
I read at least one children’s book each week and post a review on Amazon and Goodreads. I try to read Indie books, as those authors need the reviews and support. I never post bad reviews. If the book would require a review of only one or two stars, I simply stop reading and move on. This also keeps me in touch with what other authors are writing.
DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?
Yes, I am currently writing four books, two fiction and two nonfiction.
Greg will be back in the third installment of the Adventures in Time series. For the first time, Greg and Rose will time travel. I expect to publish sometime in late fall or early winter. It will again be available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Ingram and as an ebook. Check my website for updates - sign up for my newsletter to get snippets from the new book.
I've also just recently released Mittie & Thee, titled Between the Wedding and the War: The Bulloch/Roosevelt Letters: 1854 to 1860 released on 5 October. It is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Ingram and as an ebook.
The third is a biography of James Stephens Bulloch, President Theodore Roosevelt’s maternal grandfather. I have been writing this book for seven years. I hope it is someday finished!
I recently wrote a book simply called Leah’s Story. Leah is an African-American slave, and the book tells her life story in her own words. Publication not yet planned.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

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