Saddle up
for a ride on the range with Oklahoma author Callie Hutton!
Hi Callie, and welcome. Please tell
us your latest news!
I recently signed a contract with Soul Mate Publishing
for my third book in the Oklahoma Lovers series (Michael’s Story).
Do you plan
all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you
write?
I develop my characters as I write. I know (vaguely)
what I want the story to be about, but as for how each character is, that comes
to me while I’m writing. Sometimes they surprise me.
How much
research do you do for your books? Have you found any cool tidbits in your
research?
When I’m writing historical, a little bit more
research is involved because a lot of readers are history buffs—and know their
facts. But I still do research when I’m writing contemporary. Right now in a
short story I’m writing, a woman is giving birth in a bar, so I had to do
research on emergency births.
What main
genre do you write in?
Historical Romance – mostly western, but I also delve
into contemporary romance.
How does
your family feel about having a writer in the family? Do they read your books?
My family is very supportive. Some of them have read a
couple of my books, but others are waiting for them to come out in print. A
niece is waiting for my contemporaries to come out because she doesn’t like
historical. I don’t think there’s any one person in my family who has read them
all, lol.
If you had
to choose one person to have dinner with, who would it be? And why?
Hillary Clinton. I think she’s an amazing woman. I
hope to see her as POTUS one day.
Do you
recall how your interest in writing originated?
Yes. When I was a little girl, I started making up
stories in my head to entertain myself before I fell asleep at night. This
habit continued on well into adulthood. One day I decided in order to get the
voices out of my head, I needed to write them down.
Do you write
full time?
I write full time hours because I work as a substitute
teacher in the high school. At that level, the teacher will generally leave
work for the students to do, which they do on their own. I bring my laptop and
write.
What did you
do before you became a writer?
I’ve had many jobs, but sales was the one I had for
the longest time.
What is your
writing process? Do you outline, fly by the seat of your pants or a combination
of both?
I am a combination writer. I pretty much know what I
want my story to be about, but I get about half way through before I actually
do any kind of an outline. And that gets changed as I go along, depending on
what my characters have to say about it. They don’t always agree with me, and
have been known to gang up on me, as well.
If you could
be one of your characters - Who would you be? And why?
I would be Sylvia, Angel’s step-mother. She starts out
unlikeable, but later on in the story her full personality is revealed, as well
as her motivation for what she did to Angel. She’s a hoot.
Can you
please give us a sneak peek at any of your upcoming books?
The book I just sold, A Prescription for Love, is the
story of the oldest nephew in A Run for Love. Michael was one of my most
popular characters. I’m also working on a short contemporary story about a bar
in Amarillo, and when I finish that, I intend to get back to a regency I’m
writing, The Elusive Wife.
Who is your
favorite cover model? And why?
I don’t have a favorite cover model. I like Jimmy
Thomas—another nice guy. But I have a policy of ‘no bare chests’ on my book
covers. There are a few Jimmy does, and if I self-pub, I would use one of his
pre-made covers (where he’s dressed, lol).
Is there a
genre of book you would like to write but haven't yet?
Yes. There is definitely a Highlander book in my
future, as well as a strict mystery/suspense. I would also like to write a time
travel one day.
What would
be the best way for readers contact you? Do you have a website?
My website is: www.calliehutton.com,
where my blog also lives. I love to get e-mails from my readers, at calliehutton11@gmail.com.
How can
readers find out more about you and your books?
By visiting my website, where I have excerpts from all
my books, as well as coming attractions.
What is the
best and worst advice you have ever received?
Best advice: Write, write, write, read, read, read.
Worst advice: Write the book that editors want to buy.
Do you
belong to a critique group?
Yes, I do, and I also have other critique partners who
are not in my group. If so, how does this help or hinder you? Definitely a
help. I don’t always take suggestions that my CPs make, but many times they
pick up things that I hadn’t noticed or thought about.
What's your
favorite genre to read?
Romantic comedy.
What type of
book have you always wanted to write?
A ‘Sandra Brown’ type story, with intrigue, many sub-plots,
and a well written, well thought out story.
When did you
first decide to submit your work?
After I finished my first manuscript. Please, tell us
what or who encouraged you to take this big step. I didn’t need a whole lot of
encouragement. To my way of thinking, if you write a book, you send it out. You
get rejected. You re-write it. You send it out again, and again, and again.
It’s part of the process. If you’re going to be a writer, you have to write. If
you want to be a published writer, you have to send it to someone.
Do deadlines
help or hinder your muse?
Definitely help. I’m pretty disciplined as far as
writing every day, but if I know someone is waiting for it, I pull the
all-nighters like I did in college, and get the job done.
What was your
first published work and when was it published?
A Run For Love was contracted by Soul Mate Publishing
in August of 2011, and released in November of that year. It was the third book
I wrote.
Is there
anyone who really mentored or inspired you to keep writing until you were
finally published?
Not really.
I’m pretty good at motivating myself. I’m sure my sales background has
something to do with that.
A small wooden table in the corner drew
her. She placed the glass on the table and eased her sore and tired body onto
the chair. One leg shorter than the other three, the chair rocked as she
settled. A woman the size of the counterman came through a curtain separating
the area from whatever was in the back. With a brisk nod in Angel’s direction,
she headed her way.
Make a comment and win a download of An Angel in
the Mail! Winners will be drawn randomly on Saturday, June 1.
