Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Interview - Mandy Hubbard

500 follower contest will be announced next week!!! Mandy Hubbards book Prada & Prejudice will just be one of the books given away!!!

This week I bring you the lovely Mandy Hubbard! I am honored that she took the time out of her very busy schedule to answer a few questions for us!!! So there are more than a few, but I can never seem to help myself!



Thanks again for visiting my blog and answering a few questions for us!

1. So for those who are unaware of what Prada and Prejudice is, could we have the run-down?

The elevator pitch: It’s about a 15 year old girl who buys a pair of heels to impress the popular girls, but she ends up tripping, hitting her head, and waking up in 1815.

2. Who was your favorite character to write in the story?

Probably Alex. I love hot British aristocrats.


3. Who was the most difficult to write?

Callie. She completely changed in terms of character/personality through the 9 drafts it took to sell this book. I had such a hard time figure out who she was and what she wanted and how she would change throughout the novel.

4. Do you remember what you were doing when the idea first popped into your head?

Not really—I had always wanted to write a time travel to regency England.

5. At any point in time were you discouraged? Did you want to give up?

Yes and yes! As I said above, it took 9 drafts to create a story worthy of a book deal. I wanted to pitch it out the window a few times!

6. How long did it take you to write your first draft?

2-3 months, partly because I had to stop in the middle in order to revise a different project for my agent.


7. Are you a panster or an outliner?

Naturally, a pantster, but I’ve learned to outline so that I can sell books on proposal.
8. Do the ideas just flow or is there a place you like to go to get centered and wait for the ideas to visit?

I’m pretty methodical about it—I’m on a 2 book per year schedule so I don’t have time for them to just… come to me. I go after them by actively brainstorming.

9. Do your main characters talk to you?

No, although we just talked about this in a writer’s group I’m in and apparently I’m the odd one out. *shrug*.

10. Did you have a critique group? Do you have a critique group?

No, I’ve always just done “critique partners” where I send the full manuscript to an author friend or two when its ready for a fresh set of eyes. I’m not a fan of the group set up because I’m more concerned with larger issues that require reading the full manuscript all at once, rather than chapter-by-chapter like most groups do.

11. How was the querying process for you? Scary, nerve-wrecking?

I loved it. Certainly, its nerve-wracking, but I have this weird obsession about pitch letters and matchmaking projects with agents/editors. That’s why I became an agent.
12. Any advice to aspiring writers?

Read, Read, read. And spend a lot of time learning what makes a good book and be okay with ripping apart your work so that you can put it back together again.

13. What did you do when you received your first rejection letter?

Ate some ice cream and sent out some more queries.

14. What did you do when you received a letter of someone wanting your story?

The news came via an email from my agent. I actually struggled to breathe for a second there! It was amazing and exciting.

15. I know you are about to release You Wish coming out August 5th, so could you tell everyone what it’s about?! I know I’m excited for it!

It’s about a teen girl who gets every one of her childhood birthday wishes, one every day, for 2 weeks. She’s desperate to stop them because last year she wished that Ben, the hottie she’s been in love with for years, would kiss her. Just one problem: now he’s her best friend’s boyfriend.

16. Are there any other books in the works?

Yep! A full list is at mandyhubbard.com In a nutshell: a dark book about an abusive relationship, and a paranormal fantasy about a teen who is normal all day, and a siren at night, and she accidently killed the only boy she’s ever loved.

17. Do you have a favorite book series?

I’m super excited about the last HUNGER GAMES book! It comes out in August.

18. Do you watch television? If so what are some of your favorite shows?

Glee, The Deadliest Catch, and House are my favorites.


19. What is a day in the life of Mandy Hubbard like?

I get up pretty early—about 6, and I spend most of my day reading, writing, answering emails, editing client manuscripts, etc.

20. What’s your favorite treat while writing?

Gummy bears, if I’m not being good. And Diet Coke.


21. Where’s your favorite place to write?

In my home office. I blew up the cover of Prada & Prejudice and had it framed. I love the space!

22. What is your favorite book?

There is NO WAY I could choose! I love Hate List, The Chosen One, The Season, True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Hunger Games… I could go on and on.

23. What are you reading right now?

DIRTY LITTLE SECRET, a YA about hoarding.

And for more quick random questions:

Rollerblades or bicycles: bikes

Dragons or Dinosaurs: dinosaurs

Chocolate or Gummy bears: ha! See above. Defintely gummy bears.

Chick flick or horror: Chick flick. Can’t stand horror—unless it’s a book.

Favorite author: I plead the fifth. Too many favorites!

Snow or rain: Snow!

Favorite song: The Change by Garth Brooks.

So there you have it for the wonderful Mandy Hubbard! The books in the works sound amazing so I am looking forward to all of her new releases!!!

40 comments:

Jessica Bell said...

Great interview! Mandy sounds like the most sane (or is the sanest?)writer I've ever heard of! :o)

Christine Danek said...

Great interview! I agree she sounds way too sane. :) I will have to pick that book up.

Melissa said...

I agree with the alliterative allomorph, she sounds like the sanest writer... well, ever!

Your interviews with authors are so great - you ask such awesome questions. Maybe you should have been a reporter in another life?

Just wanted to let you know that there's an award for you on my blog.

Hannah Nicole said...

Great interview! I agree with the Alliterative Allmporph...Mandy sounds like she's the sanest writer ever!

Christina Lee said...

Great interview! Mandy will make a great agent and I look forward to reding As You Wish!

Creepy Query Girl said...

What a fantabulous interview! Her books sound amazing, right up my ally and I'll be sure to look 'em up. thanks Jen- awesome questions!

Joanne said...

Great interview, I always enjoy reading about another writer's journey. Mandy sounds very dedicated to the craft, best wishes for continued writing success!

Lindsay said...

Great interview. I'll have to add this to my TBR list.
Phew! This list is getting huge! lol.

Aubrie said...

Great interview! Wow, two books a year. Guess you don't have much time for lazying about.

Lola Sharp said...

I enjoyed this interview, Jen. Well done.

I don't know about sane though...I say chocolate before gummy bears! ;)

Thanks ladies for the wonderful interview. How Mandy does it all I don't know.

Love,
Lola

Jaydee Morgan said...

Great interview!!

You ask great questions and the answers are always informative and inspiring.

Karen Roderick said...

As always Jen it was a brilliant interview. I learn so much x x

Janna Leadbetter said...

Awesome interview! Mandy, all your book ideas sound so great.

And Jen, 500 followers is incredible!

JE said...

You are not the odd man out! My characters don't talk to me either! ;-)

I love meeting other writers, so thanks, Jen! Great interview!

~JD

Crystal Cook said...

What a fantastic interview! I want to read this book now, I didn't know that's what it was about. She's super nice and encouraging too :)

Clara said...

I wanna be like her when I grow up!!!!

Tahereh said...

awesome interview, ladies!! thanks so much to you both :D

Erica Mitchell said...

Super great interview! Thanks, Mandy, for taking the time to do the interview and thank you, Jen, once again for bringing another great interview. I have to agree, probably the most sane author ever! Lots of great info/advice. :D

Lisa_Gibson said...

Totally awesome interview! I share a love of gummy bears and have had (and liked) chocolate covered gummy bears. I can not wait for YOU WISH! Woo hoo!

Melissa Hurst said...

Wonderful interview! You Wish sounds like it's going to be a great read.

Stephanie said...

Great interview!! I have Prada and Prejudice on my TBR list!!! And You Wish sounds great too!!

Laura Pauling said...

Awesome interview! Thanks! Really looking forward to, You Wish!

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Jen and Mandy--Great interview and congratulations on your book coming out. It sounds like a MUST READ book!

Jen, I have an award for you over at my blog. :)

Ann Best said...

Where I am right now I don't have time to read this wonderful post, but I signed up as a follower after I found you through your comment on KarenG's blog about twittering, which I absolutely can't do. Maybe someday, but not now. Blogging is my favorite. I will be back.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on reaching 500+ followers, Jen!

And thank you for this interview, Mandy. :)

Vicki Rocho said...

Awesome interview! Another book that's been stalking me lately!

Talei said...

Hi Jen, another great interview! Brilliantly done. Am loving the great insight into writing through the Q&As - I especially love Mandy's answer for #12! Cheers! ;)

Anonymous said...

Awesome interview!
Sounds like a great book to win!



LOVE!

Kenda Turner said...

I really enjoyed this interview! Congratulations to Mandy for her successes, and thanks, Jen, for the post :-)

Leigh Hutchens Burch said...

Yay! I loved this interview. It's so fun to discover authors I haven't read before. And I absolutely cannot WAIT for your big giveaway. :)

Unknown said...

Great interview! This book sounds adorable!

Southpaw said...

Superb interview. Great questions too.

Emilia Plater said...

Awesome interview. Love Mandy! GO GUMMY BEARS! ;)

Eva said...

Great interview. All the ideas are so unique and intriguing. I'm curious to pick up the book when it comes out :)

Anonymous said...

Snazzy review, mah dear. I wanna win Prada & Prejudice!

Laura S. said...

Love your interviews, Jen! I'm looking forward to reading Mandy's novels!

And now I want some gummy bears! Hmm, I wonder how chocolate-covered gummy bears would taste? :)

WritingNut said...

This was a great interview Jen! I actually read (and own) Prada and Prejudice - it's absolutely terrific and a great contest prize!

Susan Fields said...

You really give a great interview, Jen! This one kept my riveted all the way through. 2 books a year? Wow! Thanks for introducing us to Mandy - I'll have to check out Prada & Prejudice.

Stina said...

Great interview, Jen and Mandy. I loved Prada and Prejudice and can't wait for You Wish.

Mandy is one of my dream agents. Yep, I want an agent who love Diet Coke as much as I do (that is an actually question in my OMG-an-agent-wants-to-rep-me interview list: Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi?). ;)

Kelsey Sunshine. said...

fantastic!