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!!!
