Romance, Fantasy, and Magic: 2012-12-30

Hi Reyna, thank you for the visit. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

Well I just recently celebrated my 45th birthday. I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio but I have moved around quite a bit. I’ve lived in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida, Oklahoma, and Colorado. I have one son and one grand-daughter that are the apple of my eye and my biggest inspirations in my life.

How did you decided to enter the world of writing?

Beings the publishing world has changed so much with self-publishing being available now I figured I would finally get all the stories running around in my head on paper for others to enjoy. I’ve always had a passion for storytelling and with encouragement from family and friends I thought “why not?”

What does your family think of your writing?

I’d like to be able to say they are all supportive, but in reality not all are. I’ve heard the remarks about how I’m not a real writer because I’m not with a traditional publisher. However, I pay them no attention and focus on those that are supportive and positive about my work.

Where do you get your ideas?

People would be surprised! One idea came as I was standing at the kitchen sink doing dishes; and no it didn’t have anything to do with doing dishes. I can’t really say I get them from anything specific, they literally pop into my head.

Can you tell us a little about your book?

My most recent release is Angels and Arrows. I released it in October 2012. This story is based on true paranormal events that happened to me, the co-author, or close family and friends. The places and people names were fabricated because some of the people involved did not want their names used, but the events did truly happen.

What is your writing process?

I usually like to get a basic outline of the story. Keep in mind I do not adhere to the outline, many times the entire story is changed. I have found I can get quite a bit of writing done late at night, when the house is quiet. I have tried to get up early and do the writing, but this just doesn’t work for me. My creativity doesn’t kick in until late in the evening. Maybe it’s all those years working third shift. I do all of my writing on my laptop while lounging on the bed. Sometimes I listen to music, but not always. When I get on a roll it is hard for me to stop; this is when school work etc. gets neglected.

What was the hardest part for you when working on your book?

I’d have to say making it sound like what I call “everyday” talk. Don’t get me wrong, I like books with proper English along with its’ flowing metaphors etc. But to me, that’s not how we as “normal” people speak to our family and friends on an everyday basis. I want my readers to feel as though they are sitting curled up on a couch or in a comfy chair while I’m telling them the story. Oh, and the sex scenes! I don’t want them to come across as something one would read in a porn book, but I also don’t want them to sound “corny”. Yikes!

What influenced or inspired you to write?

My mother; she told me right before she passed that I should put all my stories on paper and just see what happens with them. As she said, “you’ll never know if you don’t try.”

Was there a scene that you didn’t add or you removed in your finished work?Yes, there was. It concerned a doll and I just couldn’t bring myself to add it. I didn’t want anyone thinking I was bringing in “Chucky” or making reference to him. Even though the event truly happened with approximately three or four witnesses, I just couldn’t do it.

Do you have a favorite character (from your book)? Why?

In the Valentine/Petrilo Trilogy, I had 2: Rico and Janie. In Angels and Arrows it was Arrow. I think of him and can only sigh. I know someday my Arrow will come!

Do you already know what to write next? Can you tell us?

Well, I am currently taking notes for the next book after Angels and Arrows. There has been an increase in paranormal activity and I want to incorporate it into a second volume. However, my newest work is I guess one would say a spinoff of the Valentine/Petrilo Trilogy, where I will be giving more of the back story of the characters. I’ve had quite a bit of the readers want to know more about Janie, Rico, and Daniel; and how they got to be what they evolved into and what they were doing before the first book, Looking Through Blind Eyes.

Where can we find more information about you and your books?

My website is http://reynahawk.com I can be found on Facebook as Reyna Hawk-Author and on Twitter @ReynaHawk. My books are for sale on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Do you have any last words?

First, thank you for giving me this opportunity and allowing me to be featured on your website. I also want to tell anyone out there that has a dream, no matter what it is, never give up. When the negativity starts pouring in, turn it around and think positive! Thank you Reyna for visiting and sharing. I enjoyed learning about you and your work.

Fun Questions ~

I love weekends because?

I get to spend time with family and friends and de-stress from the week.

I hate?

Cows and self-center, stubborn, hateful, double-standard, negative people.

I want to buy?

Not many things I WANT to buy, the NEED list is growing though. One thing I want to buy is a new laptop. This one is only a couple of years old, but it has been through quite a bit and dropped one too many times.

My favorite song is?

I actually have quite a few, but my two all time favorites are “Rise Above This” by Seether, and “Wild Ones” by Flo Rida.

My favorite precious stone is?

Turquoise, because it’s my birth stone and I love Native American jewelry.

I want to travel to? Why?

I love travelling and there are a lot of places I want to see before I die. Hawaii, because it is so beautiful and I love the sun and sand; Egypt for the pyramids; Greece for the runes; Ireland and Scotland for the beauty of them; and in the USA I want to see the Grand Canyon and Sedonia, Arizona.

I want to meet? Why?

Federico Castellucio, Michael Spears, and Eddie Spears- I’m not going to lie here… because I think they are so fine! But I wish I could have met Audrey Hepburn, I truly adore her.

My dream is to?

Be a successful writer so that I can buy the things I need without worrying and be able to buy my son and his family the kind of home they want. I also want to be able to give to the charities that are important to me: St Jude’s Children’s Fund and the Humane Society.