As an author, I find myself exploring different genres. I don’t read in one genre, so why would I write in just one?! Fortunately, I’m among good company in the author community. Authors like Emily Hodson are varied in their collection of work, exploring different genres and writing styles as they make their mark on the world. For Emily in particular, this may be due to a childhood full of magic. This Alaska-born author has been writing since the tender of age of seven, amassing a collection of work that continues to grow today.
Nikki: Thank you so much for chatting with me, Emily! It’s great to meet you. I know you live in Washington now, but as an Alaska native, you must be used to a chill. Do you sleep with the fan on? What about socks?
No socks. Fan depends on the season. White noise machine, 90% of the time.
Ha, I love it. But we’re ultimately here to talk about your journey as an author! Did you always know you’d be a writer one day?
Since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to create stories and escape my own reality. It was also on top of all the crazy experiences I had growing up that inspired me.
Now, I’m self-published. I chose this route to go for now but will be submitting to traditional publishers soon. My writing journey started in high school and ever since then, I’ve always had “being a writer” in my life on top of my full time job.
I love that. And you’ve got a few books out now, yes?
That’s right! I have written a new sci-fi thriller book called Medicate Me. In the past, I have published a poetry book, Completely Splattered, The Whimsical Life of Iris Shuester, which is a drama-thriller, and I have a trilogy in the making from my high school days. That trilogy is still in production and will be worked on these next few years.
Oh my gosh, you’re busy! What does your writing routine look like?
It varies. It’s usually at a coffee shop or sitting at my dining room table. Occasionally I will write at night time in bed but it seems to be a “when it feels like the right time” kind of routine.
I totally get there. And where do you find inspiration for your stories?
Personal experience, observation, inspiration, imagination, and research.
It’s truly a never ending cycle, isn’t it? I’d love to learn more about the characters you create. Do you find that you typically like them?
I would say it’s about 50/50. I don’t like writing characters like Mary Sues or Prince Charmings. I tend to go in the direction of writing morally grey characters, or characters who had a hard life.
That’s really interesting, and I definitely relate. What do you do for fun when you’re not writing?
I take spin classes, yoga, lift weights at the gym, read, listen to lots of audiobooks, play with my pets, travel sometimes, and try new restaurants around town.
Amazing. And in terms of your writing, what’s coming next?
Inject Me, which is part of my Medicate Me duology, should be out by end of summer.
Beautiful. I just have one more question for you. Given that you’ve already published so much and have more in the works, do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Don’t overthink it. Even if you’re staring at a blank page on your computer for several minutes, just take a few deep breaths, don’t look at the clock, and start out by writing things like “Hello my name is,” or “Once upon a time.” Even though you’d most likely not keep that, it gets your fingers warmed up.
Emily Hodson has more stories up her sleeve, so click the link attached to her name to follow her on Instagram.
Want to learn more about other indie authors you need to know? Keep an eye on my Indie Author Spotlight Series for spotlights that span various different genres.
Thank you so much!!!! Means a lot. 🙂