Meet The Authors Showcase Edition #2 (2 of 3)

A showcase with @LillianHoffer

 author of: Reveille (The Hybrid Disasters, Book One)

1. What inspired the idea of your story?

 Inspiration for my story came from several of my favorite YA & NA series, such as The Mortal Instruments and Sookie Stackhouse. I've been trying to find a good series to fall into the way these two series really pulled me in; however, I haven't found a series like this in over three years. That's a long time to not have a die-hard fandom to be a part of, so I decided to live by the Toni Morrison quote and write the series that I wanted to read and love! 

2. What was something you struggled with for your story? 

Setting description. I am a dialogue reader 100%. I'm the type of reader that will skim the setting details in other stories to get to the juicy conversation and action bits. I had to realize that my audience isn't me, and that took a lot of effort on my part to ensure the setting and descriptors were there for the people that enjoy all the little details. 

3. What has been the overall response to your story from your readers? 

So far my reader response has been positive. I've had some complaints about the length of my paragraphs, but I'm learning that is a Wattpad-ism. Majority of the stories on Wattpad are short, quick, action-packed reads. My story is designed like an actual novel you'd find on a shelf at a bookstore. It's a slow-burn build up that grips you and leaves you wanting more. 

4. What did you enjoy writing most of your story? 

I enjoyed every scene with my MC's love interest, Lyric. The dialogue between the MC and Lyric is sensational. Even after reading my own work for the thousandth time, I still get all giddy over every scene with those two.

5. Is your story a stand alone novel or a piece of a series?

 A series! I'm actually five chapters into the sequel as we speak. I won't post to Wattpad until the sequel is completed and 75% edited, though. I'm hoping to have it finished this year.

 6. What would you like your readers to take away from your story? 

That women don't have to settle when it comes to love. My MC is in a relationship when she meets Lyric, so a good portion of the plot hinges on knowing if someone is right for you or not.

 7. What's a piece of advice you would provide to another writer, when it comes to focusing on their story?

 Don't let the critics get you down! There's always going to be someone that says it isn't good or it's cliche, but NO ONE can write your story the way you tell it. 

8. Does your main character share any similarities to yourself? 

Absolutely. She's pale and red-headed, like me (albeit, I'm a faux redhead). She also has a lot of qualities I wish I had at her age (18). I'm 28 now, so it's a good bit of retrospection going on here, but I don't take away from the naivety either. There's just some lessons you have to learn yourself. 

9. What's something you believe would draw in new readers? 

My story is FULL of supernatural creatures. I took what readers thought they knew about the supernatural world and gave it a major twist. If you love vampires, werewolves, faeries, demons, djinn, mermaids, etc., They're ALL there, just not in the way you normally think of them.

 10. Do you have any future projects? 

I'm actually working on my first Science Fiction novel while writing the sequel. The Sci-Fi novel is on Wattpad, and it has six chapters so far. It's a fun distraction for me when I get stuck on The Hybrid Disasters sequel (: