Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Author Interview - Angela Elwell Hunt

Let's give a big Christian Writer/Reader cheer for author Angela Elwell Hunt. I first met Angie during a clinic at the 2006 Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference. She and Nancy Rue teach novelists the fine points of producing a great story.

1. Since the publication of your first book, how has your writing evolved? Are you doing anything radically different than you did in the beginning?

I do everything different now - I go a lot deeper, spend more time up front, and search for new topics. I'm always trying new software, and lately I've begun to write in Scrivener, which I love. After more than twenty years to refine techniques, I think I've learned what works for me and what doesn't.

2. What is the most adventurous thing you've done in the name of research for a story?

Probably going to the Amazon jungle to research THE CANOPY. We fished for piranha, climbed to the top of the canopy, slogged through the river in waders, slept in tents with mosquito netting...cool.

3. Where do you get your ideas for stories?

They usually come in pieces - there are four integral parts (setting, characters, theme, plot), and often I'll get one part and have to wait for the other parts to materialize before I have a complete story. I had the rainforest canopy idea, for example, for years before I discovered the other pieces. And I've had these three sisters in my head for months, and those ladies are about to become THE GRANDMA GENE.

4. Can you share a little about your current WIP?

It's THE GRANDMA GENE, and since I don't usually get the characters first, I haven't a clue what it's about other than the development of these characters. Plots have always come naturally to me, so I'm working on some character stories to flex that "other" set of muscles.

Thanks, Angie, for visiting with us today.

Check out Angela's books on CBD or Amazon. Titles include: THE NOVELIST, CANOPY, DREAMERS, and many others. Her newest book is UNCHARTED.

12 comments:

Heather Sunseri said...

Great interview, Susan. Nice to meet you, Angie.

Jessica Nelson said...

Cool interview. Thank you both!

And how awesome that she went to the Amazon! Wow.

Karen Lange said...

Hi Susan, great interview! Thanks to Angela too, for sharing her thoughts. It's always fun to stop here:) Blessings!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Heather -

I've read four of Angie's books so far. I think you'd enjoy them. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jess -

You're welcome!

LOL! Angie's brave. I think I'd visit via the Internet.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Karen -

Glad you enjoyed the interview. Thanks for the compliment. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Interesting questions, Susan, and great answers, Angie. How cool to travel to the Amazon for research!!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Eileen -

Angie's an amazing author. Her books require a lot of research.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Cindy R. Wilson said...

Fun interview. That's amazing about going to the Amazon. What an experience!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Cindy -

Thanks.

Question for anyone who'd like to answer: Have any of you done something wild or unusual in your research?

Blessings,
Susan :)

Unknown said...

Susan, I really enjoyed your interview with Angie. She's such an amazing woman. Great job!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sharon -

Thanks for your kind words.

Angie is another one of those super-prolific writers. Her writing voice is distinctive. I think if the covers and title page were ripped off her manuscript, I'd still know she wrote it. Good stuff!

Blessings,
Susan :)