Interview with author T R Hill

Hi everyone please enjoy this interview from the amazingly talented indie author T R Hill.

a little about her:

T. R. Hill is an Oklahoma indie-romance author. A native of Oklahoma, she lives in a small town with her husband and three children. For as long as she can remember, she has loved reading and creating stories, and now, she puts those stories into books to share with others.

follow her on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/author.trhill?igsh=MXhuZDUyMzA0Z2U2Ng==

❤️Carrie

What inspired you to become a writer, and how did your journey as an author begin?

My journey to become an author started when I was a kid. I’m the youngest of five, and the closest in age to me is ten years older, so my imagination was my constant companion. My parents saved just about every little book and poem I ever wrote, but my smart mouth was probably played the most significant role in my journey. 

I wasn’t a saint of a child, but most of my misbehavior had to do with my sassy back talk, so my dad would send me to my room to write as my “punishment.” It worked—I was able to communicate my feelings and explain my opinions in a much clearer way. After getting it all out on paper, we could actually have a civilized discussion. As I got older, I continued to turn to writing whenever I was upset or the emotions were too big to handle. I still do it now, and sometimes, what I write becomes a part of my characters’ story. 

Your characters feel very real—do you draw from real life when creating them, or are they purely fictional?

My characters are fictional, but their emotions are often my own. I don’t claim to have experienced everything my characters have, but I try to empathize with them—put myself in their shoes and connect with their experience on some level. I think we can all do that as humans if we try. That’s one of the coolest things about stories. 

What themes or messages do you hope readers take away from your work?

I hope readers find inspiration in some way. Even if they aren’t facing the same challenges as my characters, I hope they are encouraged and reminded that they can do hard things too, even when it’s scary and they feel alone and it feels like the world is against them.

How do you approach world-building and plot development? Do you plan everything in advance or let the story evolve as you write?

I usually have some idea of the overall story when I start out. It could be the theme or a significant moment in the story or maybe the ending, but I always have something pointing me in a certain direction. After that, it pretty much unfolds as I write. 

What has been the most challenging part of writing or publishing your books?

Rejection. I really try to let negative comments, critiques, and reviews roll off my shoulders, but it’s easier said than done. For example, when I first started writing Deep Down the Rabbit Hole, I really struggled with some of the critiques I received from other authors in workshop. I even put the story away for a year and had no plans to pick it back up or write anything else for that matter. 

But, of course, I did pick it back up, and when I read it again, I knew it was a story worth telling. From that day on, through all the agent rejections, the manuscript requests, and ultimate rejections again, I’ve had to remind myself that it’s a story worth fighting for—even if it doesn’t fit in the mold others are looking to fill. If there’s even one person out there that needs my story, I’m going to fight to get it out there for them. 

What advice would you give aspiring writers who are just starting out?

Don’t give up. If you’re truly passionate about it, keep going. You’re probably going to be your worst critic and your biggest fan, so prepare for that—I think it’s normal for us. 

Also, find a group of honest critique partners and reviewers that won’t just hype you up and tell you what you want to hear, but will read your story analytically and offer advice that will make your story and your writing stronger.

Can you give us a hint about what you’re working on next?

I have a couple of projects I’m working on right now. One is a second chance romance titled Always, August. The other, which I hope to release early this summer, is a rom-com that follows a group of college-age employees at a summer lake resort. The location is inspired by one of my favorite vacation spots I used to visit growing up. The title is under wraps at the moment, but it will be the first in a series of books that take turns focusing on one couple at a time, and the first is an enemies to lovers, opposites attract love story.

Thank you so much for this opportunity to chat. I love to connect with readers, and I invite you to follow me on Instagram or TikTok @author.trhill to stay in the know about my upcoming projects, promotions, and events. Don’t forget, if you’re interested in a deeply emotional romance with all the highs and lows of life, Deep Down the Rabbit Hole is included in your Kindle Unlimited subscription. https://a.co/d/i4bx1oG