Very happy to have an author interview with Jennifer Hallmark because her latest book released Tuesday. It’s a serious change of pace for her. To read Jennifer’s previous guest post, click here.
Your first novel, Jessie’s Hope, is a clean romance. Your new release is YA speculative fiction. Why did you change genres?
Jennifer: I’ve enjoyed YA and middle-grade fiction for as long as I can remember. I read a wide variety of genres but have always been drawn to speculative fiction. Reed’s story in Smoking Flax started as a writing prompt short story challenge in our group: the Lawrence County Writers Guild. When I decided to turn it into a novel, I bogged down in the middle. And it was 2020. I called on writing coach and award-winning author, James L. Rubart for some coaching lessons. We really dug into who I was vs. what others wrote. My favorite books, movies, and television shows are all speculative so I thought I would take the leap into a new adventure.
What was your biggest challenge in changing genres? Your greatest reward?
Jennifer: My biggest challenge has been believing I could write in this imaginative genre. Time travel or what I call Southern time-shifting was difficult to explain in a way my readers could understand. Writing speculative stretched my imagination to its limit. The greatest reward has been hearing my Beta readers say they got the story and it made sense. I can’t tell you what a relief that was.
I know exactly what you mean. I have to write out a whole mystery novel before I can let anyone see it. If it doesn’t make sense, I’ve got a ton of work to do.
You’ve also made a big change in main characters. In Jessie’s Hope, the main character is a young woman about to be married. In Smoking Flax, the main character, Reed Anderson, is male and almost nineteen. Why the switch in genders? Did writing from a male POV bring extra obstacles?
Jennifer: For me, I don’t pick the main characters or their gender or even the time setting. I follow where the story leads. Smoking Flax begins in 1984, looks back to 1978, then forward to 1984. While Reed is nineteen in the beginning, a good majority of the reader’s time is spent looking back at his thirteenth summer. A coming-of-age story. I loved writing from a teenage point of view. I have six grandchildren; four are between 12 and 16. I asked them lots of questions and received advice from friends about what a young man would think, say, or act in given situations.
Both your books have southern settings. Why?
Jennifer: I’m Southern, through and through, living most of my life in Alabama. I love my culture and sharing it with others. I tried to dig past the cliches and misunderstandings people have about this great region and find the truth.
I think adding our backgrounds to our stories gives them unique spins.
What kind of world-building did you have to create for Smoking Flax?
Jennifer: I had to study Louisiana where part of the story takes place and talk to people about the region, weather, culture, etc. Alabama in 1978 is strongly set in my mind from my youth. The real difficulty was adding the speculative element so it would be genuine and fit. Adding speculative elements to a real place takes careful planning.
What was your greatest surprise while writing Smoking Flax?
Jennifer: Definitely the direction the story took after I accepted the challenge from James L. Rubart to see if the story could be speculative. I prayed and asked God to help me see it that way. Ideas flowed after that point and I actually dreamed the ending. I remember waking up and the feeling of surprise as I jotted down pages of notes.
That is an amazing way to receive inspiration!
What advice do you have for writers interested in writing either clean romance or speculative fiction?
Jennifer: Pray through. Instead of writing what is popular or expected, ask God what direction He wants your writing to take. It might just surprise you. And if you take the speculative road, be prepared to work. Smoking Flax has been the hardest writing I’ve ever done.
God does surprise us when He takes the lead. The mystery series I’m writing now came as a great surprise. And a great gift.
Now for some personal questions … which do you prefer? Tea or coffee?
Jennifer: At home, English Breakfast tea with honey. In town, vanilla lattes. 😊
I’m a tea person too. Where’s your favorite place to write?
Jennifer: Either in my study at the desk or in the recliner in the living room.
What’s your favorite season?
Jennifer: Fall, hands down. I love the colors, football, fall festivals, and our church activities. Whenever we can, we drive to the Smokey Mountains in October or November and enjoy the beauty.
Thank you for stopping by and best wishes on Smoking Flax!
***
Almost nineteen-year-old Read Anderson wants to belong in a world where he hasn’t always fit. Three days after graduation, he decides to ride a bus back to Louisiana and deals with the events of his thirteenth summer once and for all. Back then, he’d stood up to his abusive Pa, protecting Momma and his sister, taking control of his life. But who was the faded image of the child he saw that day? Aunt Lula predicted his life would shift and change. Something about space-time-continum and the fourth dimesion. He tucks her words in his heart. If he survives the shift, this could be his chance to start over. But the ghost child haunts his dreams. Even though six years have passed, does he want to confront the lies he’s always believed?
***
Jennifer Hallmark writes Southern fiction with a twist. Her website and newsletter focus on her books, love of the South, and favorite fiction. She loves reading and streaming science fiction, fantasy, and mysteries or her favorite subject—time travel.
Her latest novel, Smoking Flax, was released on January 16th with Elk Lake Publishing. She creates stories with unforgettable characters–her stories are a little eerie and otherworldly but with a positive turn. Connect with her at the sites below.
Thanks for letting me drop by!
I forgot to ask–what story are you working on now?
I’m working on the next book in this series—Talitha’s story 🙂