Interview Lynette Hall Hampton

by

Emily Payne

1) Who or what inspires you the most, and why?

My family. I grew up in a family of story tellers. Nothing was more thrilling than sitting at my great-grandmother’s feet, listening to ghost stories told such that we were convinced they were true. Grandfather, mother and aunts all told tales. My parents were both readers, mother both reader and writer. I started making up stories when a shy little girl, writing them down.

2) You’ve written several books – what keeps you writing?

I think the quick answer would be, I don’t know how not to write. There are lots of stories running around in my head and I’ve often said, I’d have to live to be a hundred and seventy-five years old to get them all down. Even then, others would probably pop up. I’m not an outliner so part of what keeps me writing is waiting to see what my characters tell me they’re going to do next.

3) What advice would you give to someone writing a novel?

If the desire is there, go for it. If it’s too intimidating at first, take it one page at a time and find your own pace. Some writers outline everything first, others, start with a character or a scene or even an idea. Others write chapter and fit them together later. Read a lot—most ‘real’ writers are readers. Reading not only entertains, but it shows you the competition out there.

4) What kind of legacy do you hope to leave with your writing?

It’s nice to think that sometime in the future a kid will say, ‘my great-great grandmother wrote this’ but it’s not something I dwell on. I’m more interested in writing books that people want to read during this lifetime. I do think I’ll be careful about making sure my descendents are covered with my eBook royalties. Those rights never expire and even as little as ten dollars a month will amount up in years to come.

5) How has being a novelist changed or shaped your life?

Biggest change is that I’ve become less shy. I used to shake in my shoes if talking to more than two. I still do at times.  I’ve also made more friends for being a writer. And it hasn’t made me wealthy—few writers are able to make a living writing books. Most who don’t hold another job have a supportive spouse or partner, are independently wealthy, or retired

 6) Where did the idea for this book come about?

 Ideas come from all directions. My first two books came from the old song “Calendar Girl”; I thought it would be fun to write a mystery all children were named after their month of birth. Another was from a dream. My hero is from the time I worked as a Human Resource Manager. Another is from my love of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Another from my interest in how family relationships affect children.

7) Who is your favorite literary character and why?

I hate to sound egotistical, but my favorite characters are my own. If I didn’t love them enough feel elations when they do, I don’t think I could write. My characters are real living and breathing people to me, though they only live in my imagination until the end of the book. Sometimes, it’s still hard to let them go. I think this might be one reason writers like to write series.

8) If there is one book you wish you had written, what would it be? Why?

The book I wish I’d written is one that got me a million dollar advance and stayed on the best seller list for weeks. And who knows, I may write it yet. Seriously, I don’t want to have written anyone else’s work. I write what I want to and I’m happy with that.

9) How do your readers get in touch with you?

I love to hear from people. My email is: lynettehallhampton@hotmail.com My website is: http://www.lynettehallhampton.net