Interview with Heaven J. Fox
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
My greatest joy of writing is being able to create. I think it’s amazing how you can start with a blank page, pick a name, and some characteristics and start creating a person that seems so real and life-like. The characters that I create, I feel as though I for some type of relationship with them because they become like real people.
What are you working on next?
Currently I am working on Semester 2 of Fitting In. Along side that, for Nanowrimo I had written a Christian fiction that needs editing.
Who are your favorite authors?
Some of my fav authors are: Eric Jerome Dickey, T. Styles, Vanessa Miller, and many Indie Authors
When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?
When I’m not writing I spend most of my time thinking about writing, crocheting, sewing, reading, and watching TV shows.
How do you approach cover design?
I love graphic design so I create my own covers. The hardest part is finding the right image.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
My e-reading device is definitely my Kindle Fire.
What’s the story behind your latest book?
The story behind my latest book, Fitting In, is that it’s a story about teens. Just your everyday run of the mill teens. I didn’t want to do anything drastic that has already been done to death like the whole drug dealer, sagging pants, murdering, sex crazed thugs. I wanted real everyday teens. Not taking away from the fact that street lit isn’t true because it very well is. I wanted to deal with the peer pressures of wanting to fit in with the in-crowd and being pressured into having sex. How far will some go to fit in? What won’t you do?
This story has a few characters that are important to the story. Not just one protagonist and antagonist. Life is made up of so many different people and situations and it’s all about the choices we make in life. That’s what this story is about. How will each person deal with the hand that they are dealt?
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I have always wanted to become an author for as long as I could remember. Way back in the day it just all seemed so far-fetched. I didn’t even know at the time that there were any Urban authors but I wanted to read something that I could relate to, not just entertain me.
Now that we are in the day and age of e-books and the WWW. The possibilities are endless. Now I am able to make my dream come true. I can finally reach people and hopefully teach what they can relate to while I entertain them.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
I mostly discover the books I read through Smashwords or Amazon.
What is your writing process?
My writing process varies with each story I write. But mostly it involves a lot of index cards and outlining. I guess you can say I’m more of a panster outliner… if that’s even such a thing. I will outline to try and get my thoughts out, but most of the time as I get into writing and the characters take on a mind of their own, I’ll let them do their own thing. Because first and foremost I pray and ask God to please guide me in the direction that He wants me to go.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in an Urban area. I’ve seen and experienced a lot. Maybe not as much as many but more than some. So this has definitely influenced my writing. When I think of a concept, especially with teens, I draw from my past but then have to intensify it even more because kids today has it the hardest with the internet, cell phones, and social media. I don’t think I would have survived it back in my day. So I kind of want to help out the young adult of today seeing as though I gave birth to 7 of them!
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