Quick Qs and As with Holly Nicole Hoxter

Holly Nicole Hoxter is the debut author of an amazing book titled The Snowball Effect, which is officaly on shelves today March 23, 2010. You can check out my reiview of it here.

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Describe The Snowball Effect in three words.

Family. Second chances.

Describe your main character Lainey in one sentence.

Lainey is a 17-year-old girl who is dealing with way too much serious crap instead of enjoying her first summer after graduation.

If you could offer Lainey any type of advice, what would you say?

I would tell her she's tougher than she thinks she is. Which is also the advice I enjoy giving to myself.

What was your favorite aspect of writing The Snowball Effect?

I loved that it was easy! I mean, it wasn't EASY because writing a novel is never easy. But compared to the first novel I wrote, which I worked on for six years and never sold...The Snowball Effect was pretty easy. I was so focused and driven. The whole process felt like a miracle.

Is there a specific message you hope readers of The Snowball Effect will take from it?

It's never a good idea to stick anything in your ears.

If The Snowball Effect had a theme song what would it be?

I listened to Gwen Stefani's "The Sweet Escape" on repeat when I was writing, so I always think of it as the theme song. I can imagine Lainey driving around in her POS Grand Am and thinking about Riley whenever that song comes on the radio.

What were you like in high school? Were you similar to Lainey or the polar opposite?

I never had to deal with dead parents, fortunately. Our biggest similarity is probably that I dated the same guy all through high school, made all my decisions based on our relationship, and figured I'd spend the rest of my life with him (though I haven't, thank god).

Since I always love these type of stories, what was it like getting “The Call”?

Honestly, I mostly felt relieved. Like, "Oh good. Now that part of the journey is finished and my life can really start." I'm so envious when I read about authors screaming and shouting with excitement when they get THE CALL, like they've just won the lottery. It didn't feel like I'd won the lottery. I'd put in the work, and I knew I'd never quit, so publication felt inevitable. I hope that doesn't sound entitled. I just really believed in myself! Now if I'd gotten a six figure deal...there definitely would have been screaming involved.

What part of writing process do you find to be the most challenging?

That second draft. My first drafts are basically verbal vomit so coming in and trying to clean all that up is never much fun.

Since your release date is fast approaching, do you have any big plans of how you’re going to celebrate that day?

Ummm....not really! My mother was just berating me the other day because I don't have solid plans for my launch party yet. As for the actual release date, which I think is a Tuesday, I figure I'll probably do my day job as usual, then venture out to a bookstore and cry when I see my book on the shelf, or maybe scream and shove it in the faces of random strangers. Then maybe I'll get my fiance to take me out to dinner. OH, and we're definitely getting snowballs. Snowballs are a summer thing in Baltimore, but fortunately I know a stand that will be opening three days before the book's release. It's not my FAVORITE, but it will do just fine.

What’s a really great book you’ve read recently?

I'm currently snowed in, and I read Jaclyn Dolamore's Magic Under Glass today. I thought it was freaking fabulous! This year, I made a pledge to read every tenner's debut novel. A lot of the books are outside of the genres I usually read, and it's been amazing to me how much I've enjoyed them. For example, I would have never sought out a historical MG novel, but Irene Latham's Leaving Gee's Bend was amazingly good. Oops, I guess I cheated and named two.

What’s your typical day like?

Oh wow, not very exciting. I work from home doing medical transcription, so I wake up at 3:45, stumble to my desk, and transcribe from 4am-8am. When my fiance gets up for work, I pack his lunch, feed the cats, and eat breakfast. During the rest of the day I work for a few more hours, exercise, watch my soap opera, surf the internet, do writing related business, run errands, maybe take a nap, etc. The fiance gets home at 6:30 and we usually argue about who's going to make dinner. After he gives in and cooks for me, we eat and watch TV or a DVD. Then it's light's out at 9 or 10. I do most of my writing on the weekends. Right now I'm working on a first draft, so I love to camp out at McDonald's or Burger King for HOURS and write long hand in my journal. I don't know why I have such an affinity for writing in fast food restaurants. I'm a vegetarian and I recently gave up soda so I basically have to bring my own meal. But it's always been a very productive environment for me so I just go with it.

What’s up next for you book-wise?

I have a novel currently on submission to my editor. It's about 16-year-old Fiona who falls in love with the hot 19-year-old drummer in her dad's band and worries that she's going to ruin their chance of winning a local Battle of the Bands. The one I'm writing is a road trip novel about two sisters. We're still in the lovey dovey first draft honeymoon stage.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Snow sucks and I can't wait for spring! But seriously, thanks so much for the interview. You can visit me at http://www.hollynicolehoxter.com and if you're into the whole brevity thing, you can follow me on twitter http://twitter.com/hnhoxter.

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Thanks so much, Holly! :) Now, what are you all waiting for go check out The Snowball Effect. I promise it's AMAZING.

Other Links:

Holly's website
Holly's Twitter
The Snowball Effect on Amazon/Indie Bound/Barnes and Noble