Featured Interview With Hilary Smith
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. All over the city really. We moved around a lot. For a while, my siblings and I moved back and forth from my paternal grandparents’ home to my mother’s. That is until my granddad died in 1994. Currently, I live in Southgate, Kentucky. It’s an ambition of mine to travel aboard and immerse myself into a different culture. Learn a new language out of necessity. And no, I don’t own pets, with my schedule I barely have time for myself.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was ten years old when I became an avid reader. Let me tell you a quick story. When I was seven years old I was shamed for not knowing how to read among my peers. My grandfather was a pastor, I had to attend Sunday school whenever I was living with my grandparents. This particular morning my class had to recite what we learned. We were lining up in front of the congregation.
The place was packed. I mean every seat was filled. I choked up. I forgot my lines. I looked down at my paper and mumbled softly, “I can’t read.” I was so humiliated, I cried so much eventually my dad took me home. Shortly thereafter my granddad purchased hooked on phonics. He was so sweet, he said it was for all the children. “You’re not the only who is struggling. Never be afraid to speak up,” he told me. In my mind, he got it just for me. There were other people who went the extra mile to teach me to read. I have always felt it’s my responsibility to cultivate this gift.
I wrote my first short story when I was thirteen. My class was reading Roll of thunder, hear my cry by Mildred D. Taylor. I didn’t like the ending of the book. I wrote an alternative ending.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read almost all genres but my favorites and historical and suspense. Kay Hooper for suspense. Some say Mary Clark Higgins is the queen of suspense but, that’s only because they haven’t read Kay Hooper. The woman is a genius. Historical authors vary if it’s nonfiction I will read just about anybody. However, if it’s fiction definitely Julie McElwain. I discovered her by reading the public library newsletter announcing a new author’s book. I’ve been hooked ever since. As for my inspiration, I love to people watch and imagine what their lives are like, as well as draw from my own personal experience.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
Currently, I’m in the editing process with The Road Home. It took me eight months to finish the first draft. Two months for revisions based on my Beta readers feedback. The Road Home will be available for purchase on December 10, 2018.
The Road Home picks up two years after Lucy’s and Keturah’s disappearance. Damien is determined to find his family. However, the more he discovers about Lucy the more he wonders if he ever really knew her at all. He is faced with a choice to find them or let them go.
Mackenzie has a seemingly random sexual encounter with an old flame (David Lucas) whom she reconnected with on a girl’s trip to Las Vegas. Before Mackenzie met her husband, (Samuel Rizzo) she was a computer hacker. She specialized in bank systems. David isn’t a love him and leave him type of guy. He tracks her down and blackmails her into doing one last job: hit three banks in one night. Mackenzie enlists Samuel’s help to foil David’s plan. Along the way she learns things about herself, deals with the emotional baggage she’s been carrying around, and find her strength in God’s word.
Throughout this book and the entire series really, you will see the influence of God but yet it is not classified as a Christian book.
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