Emotional reads that provide deep insight into human nature; a thought-provoking look at both the light at dark sides of life; the kind of love that overcomes any obstacles thrown in its way- that's what you can expect to find in a book by Paige P. Horne.
Paige is the first writer to be featured on the 'Author of the Month' project, a new initiative of mine that will now be a regular fixture here on the Katia Rose blog. I've had the chance to network with some amazing authors and inspiring people throughout my experience as a writer so far, and I thought I'd like to share that with my readers by featuring fellow indie authors here.
Throughout the month I'll be providing a few more spotlights and a deeper look at why I enjoy Paige's writing so much, but for today we're starting things off with a 'Get to Know You' interview.
I had the absolute pleasure of finding out a bit more about Paige's journey as a writer, as well as some fun facts about her. Read on to find out why she chose to go the indie route, which popular series got her into romance in the first place, and what advice she has for authors new to the indie scene.
Interview with Paige
Have you always been a writer, or was it something you discovered about yourself later in life? I haven’t been writing all my life, but it’s always been in the back of my mind. When I was in the third grade, my teacher must have seen something in me because she asked my mom if I could be in the young author’s program at a big college here in my home town. A few kids from elementary school were hand-picked and we each got a story published. I’ve always had a very vivid imagination, but after that, writing didn’t come back up, until about seven or so years ago. I started writing children’s stories and some of my family members read them and thought they were great, so I messed around with that for a while. I ended up putting the children’s stories to the side though and it wasn’t until I got back into reading, that I thought, hey maybe I can write a novel. So a little over two years ago, I started working on a story and my husband and my friends read a little and they all told me, “Keep writing! I want more.” So, I did and after reaching out to some Indie authors for advice, my debut novel, Give Me Love was published a few months later.
What made you choose to become an indie author, as opposed to using traditional ways of publishing? I sent my children’s book, off to agents more times than I can count and always got that, “It’s not what we are looking for, but please keep trying,” response. One day, I was reading a book by R.J Lewis and I read the acknowledgments at the end, she wrote about self-publishing and that’s when I knew that’s the road, I wanted to go down. I wanted to write and I wanted people to read my stories. I reached out to her and she gave me some great advice, the best being to finish my story and worry about everything else after. Knowing that people would actually read something I wrote, fueled me to finish. It wouldn’t just sit on my computer forever! That to me was the most exciting thing. Also there’s freedom in being an Indie Author. I’m in control of everything one-hundred percent.
I'm intrigued by your slogan, 'Writing truth within fiction.' What does that phrase mean to you and how do you feel it relates to your work? I struggled for a while to come up with one that was perfect for me. It wasn’t until after my fourth book was published that I finally came up with “Writing truth within fiction.” All my books have some truth in them. The stories themselves are fiction but the topics are very real. The Perfect Love series which is being re-edited at the moment, touches on growing up in an unstable home with abusive, neglecting parents, which sadly happens every day all around the world. Close To Falling is about Maddie B. Callaway who makes bad teenage choices and becomes addicted to prescription pills which is also a reality for millions of people, including my childhood best friend. Chasing Fireflies is based on a woman who suffers with manic depression and how she struggles with suicidal thoughts. In Chasing Ellie, I write about how suicide affects the ones that are left behind, especially a child. So you see, my slogan fits my stories well, there is truth written in every fictional novel I have published. There’s also a bit of something personal from my own life in my books. I like talking about tough subjects, people relate to truth.
What has been your proudest moment as an author so far?
There’s been many, so I can’t choose just one. First off, I was featured on the whole second pagein the local newspaper in my small hometown. That was pretty cool! Typing the end on my first novel was a huge accomplishment. I actually cried a little because I was like, I did it! Hitting that publish button that first time was definitely a proud moment. Great things happen when you work hard. They may not come at the exact moment you want them to, but eventually, they will come. I have to remind myself of that a lot.
Do you ever get nervous about sharing your work with others? Yes! It’s nerve wracking handing someone your heart at the risk they may break it. There’s no pain greater than a broken heart. The books we write––the characters, they become family. They become a part of us. So, yeah it’s stressful waiting for those first reviews to come in. In my mind I’m saying, please like it or love it…that would be better.
What was the first romance novel you read? Fantasy and thrillers were my go to books until I started hearing about Fifty Shades of Grey, so I had to see what all the hype was about. Loved the whole trilogy. My husband bought me a kindle not too long after I finished the books and I’ve been a loyal romance reader since. I especially love Nicole Sparks novels, which if I could compare my stories to anyone else’s, it would be his. He isn’t afraid to kill people off. ;) Falling in love is the best feeling and getting to read about it and feel those emotions the author is pouring out through their words, over and over again, it’s awesome!
If your house was flooding and you could on save three of your books, which would they be and why? I’d have to say The Fifty Shades trilogy because they got me into romance novels and opened a door way to so many other great books. Which later on, got me back into writing.
If you could meet one of your own characters from any of your books, who would it be? What would you want to talk to them about? I’d like to meet Cash from Chasing Fireflies. Have a beer with him and tell him that Sara loved him more than her own life, but she just couldn’t deal with the pain anymore. That she wanted him to be happy and she wanted to be free.
Do you have any upcoming writing projects planned? Yes. My current WIP is based on a true story. It’s about my mother in-law and her first love. It’s one of the most heart breaking, jaw dropping stories, I’ve ever heard. (That was actually true.)
If you could give one piece of advice to someone who is just starting out as an indie author, what would it be?
I’m going to repeat what R.J Lewis said to me, “Finish your story. Worry about everything else later.” And a piece of advice from me, after you publish it, Go to as many book signings as you can. It’s a great place to network and meet other authors, readers and bloggers. People like to meet you face to face, it’s more personal. I wish I would have known this two years ago, but we live and learn.
Paige at one of her book signings
A huge thank you to Paige for all her awesome answers to my questions! She'll be back later in the month as I take a deeper look at one of her novel, 'Chasing Fireflies', so keep your eyes peeled!
