Having fun yet? It’s my great pleasure on this hunt to host/feature amazing YA author, Heather Burch, who is featuring Avengers, the third book in her Halflings series.

So, you know how it works–read the interview, grab the clue, then continue on to the next clue. once you have been to all 31 stops, then return to https://www.crimsonpulsemedia.com and enter the entire clue text!

Now…without further ado, heeeeerre’s HEATHER!

First, I want to thank the amazing Ronie Kendig for having me drop by. Scavenger Hunt! So fun!
Q: Everyone seems to have a “how I got published” story. What is yours?

In 2005, God spoke to me that it was my year to do things that were important to me, but had been put on hold because of having such a busy life—work, kids, ministry. Number one on my list of things I really wanted to accomplish was writing a book and finishing it. The following morning, I woke up one hour early. 5:00 a.m. I got up and started writing. With only one hour a day, I wrote my first book in a year.

In 2007, my husband told me I needed to quit my job and stay home to write. I thought he was crazy. We’d be taking $40,000 out of our budget for me to stay home and maybe not make a dime. But I did it. It took a few years of learning my craft, growing as an author, perfecting my voice. Then the Halflings idea hit me. It was odd. It was different. It was right up my alley. Six weeks after signing with the Spencerhill Literary Agency, we had an offer. The Halflings series sold as a three-book deal to Zondervan in 2011. I couldn’t believe it.

Q: Tell me a little about your books.

Halflings, Guardian and Avenger are the story of Nikki Youngblood, a seventeen-year-old being hunted by men and demons. She turns to three half-angel young men for protection. While an ancient evil stirs—with plans to take over the human world—Nikki must admit there is a supernatural realm unraveling around her. And she alone may be the key to saving the race of Halflings she’s come to love.

Q: Who are your books aimed at and what are some of the challenges of writing for your audience?

They are about teenager for teenagers. However, anyone who has had a crisis of faith will relate to Nikki and her confusion about the new world she’s been thrust into. Throughout the three books, we see the glorious commitment of a loving Father who isn’t willing to cast anyone aside. That central truth has made the books a hit with adults as well as teens. So, I guess the books are for … whosoever will. 😉
As far as challenges writing for teenagers, I have to be honest, I didn’t do a lot of research about how other authors write for teens. I have teens in the house and just wanted to write what I thought they would like to read. We’ve spent the last 15 to 20 years working with teenagers, so applying what I know of real teens in real situations helped me creatively. Today’s teens are savvy, intelligent, and can spot a fake a mile away. I just try to keep it real.

Q: In what ways does your faith impact how you approach writing?

God has been pretty straight forward with me about my job. Though I am a teacher by nature … and I love to discuss the Bible … God has made it clear to me that I write fiction. I have a responsibility to my audience, to the readers who spend their money—and even more precious, spend their time—reading the words I write. First and foremost, I am to give them a great read. Now, because I’m a Christian and God fills my heart, His message will ultimately end up on the page. But it’s not my job to put it there, it’s His job through me. I just have to be open, honest, and always have my ear tuned to His music.

Q: How do you write? What’s a normal writing day like for you?

I try to get in a minimum of five to six hours uninterrupted writing time each day. I usually begin in the morning around 7:00 a.m. I used to get up at 5:00 and write because that was when my husband left for work. Now, he leaves later, so I begin later. I have to have coffee or a latte at my side. I write until around noon or one then hunger gets the best of me, so I stop, eat, and begin social networking for an hour or two. I try to write every week day, but I will give myself the luxury of days off when I think my mind needs the mental break.

I’m not a plotter, so when beginning a new book, I often only know bits of information. There is a lot of daydreaming and wondering that happens before I launch into a new project—I think my brain is working out the story in my subconscious. I rarely begin a new book before knowing the voice of my main character. That’s something I can’t really explain, but when I begin to hear the main character in my head, I know the story has percolated enough to begin writing. Yeah, I know. It’s weird. 🙂

Q: Do you listen to music when you write?

No. I’m very easily distracted, so it’s total silence for me. Unless you count teenagers in the next room playing video games and bragging about who has the best skills. That’s my music. And honestly, some of their conversation ends up on my pages. They have great one-liners!

Q: Does anyone else in your family have musical/writing/artistic skills?

My seventeen-year-old is a self-taught artist. He’s really dedicated and I believe he’ll be able to pursue it as a career. My older son is a musician. He can play multiple instruments and sings. They both write. Can you tell I think they’re amazing? Proud mom moment. 🙂

Q: How would you like to be remembered? She walked with God.

Here’s how to connect with Heather. . .

Facebook facebook.com/heatherburchbooks
Twitter https://twitter.com/heatherburch
Goodreads www.goodreads.com/author/show/498102.Heather_Burch
Author website www.heatherburchbooks.com

It’s been such a pleasure to host Heather Burch for this Holiday Scavenger Hunt! I’ve enjoyed her first book (haven’t gotten to the others–my bad that has nothing to do with her or the stories), and I hope you’ll read her Halflings series, if you haven’t already!

All you amazing readers on the hunt are probably looking for your next clue, well here it is: “be able to”–now, off you go to the next stop on the scavenger hunt and for your next interview and next clue. Click HERE

Of course, if you’re lost or if you’ve finished collecting all the clues you can go HERE to enter the full mystery phrase and bring your scavenger hunt to a close. I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about all the amazing books and authors on the tour, and hopefully you’ve entered the many giveaways on their sites.

ANNNDD Now…for my own personal giveaway: The Entire A Breed Apart series, which includes TRINITY, TALON, & BEOWULF! That’s right–leave a comment below (with a way to contact you) and you will be entered to win one of each of these books!!

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