Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Heather Grant. I’m from Chicago and We Found Somewhere is my first book.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
We Found Somewhere was inspired by my love of film, movies, and Hollywood, and my frustration with working my barista job.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I know some people can’t write to music with lyrics, and I understand that, but I really like having music on while I write that fits the mood. Often big, romantic songs like Dashboard Confessional or blink-182, or sometimes epic songs about freedom like something by Bruce Springsteen or Carly Rae Jepsen. My musical tastes are all over the map and when I write, I’m often trying to capture the essence or feeling that my favorite songs give me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Audrey Niffenegger’s the Time Traveler’s Wife both filled and broke my heart. I’ve read it three or four times. I also really loved Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Leviathan, I strive to write characters with as much chemistry as Nick and Norah. Rainbow Rowell and Susane Colasanti are other favorites.
What are you working on now?
Currently I’m working on promoting We Found Somewhere, exhausting every avenue I can to get people to read it. While I’m doing that I’m also writing a sequel, I have a lot in mind for these characters and I’m excited to see where they end up.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I wouldn’t say I’ve had quite enough success to offer a valuable opinion on the best way to promote my book, but I’ve by far had most of my sales come from submitting my book to Smashwords and making it free/pay what you want.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Don’t worry about writer’s block or if some days are better or worse than others, because that’s normal. Just write. Don’t write when you’re inspired, just always write. That way, when you do get inspired, you’ve kept up with your writing and can tap into the inspiration even deeper.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Visualize the moment of skin to skin contact”. When I write, I do a lot of internal monologue with my characters, it’s so much about things they see and witness, then breaking down how they feel about what they see and witness. But what really gets the story moving and your characters minds racing is skin to skin contact. It doesn’t have to be sexual or violent or anything, it’s just a way to get things moving. It’s great for if I’m ever stuck, I visualize the moment of skin to skin contact and that usually leads me in a pretty good direction.
What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading the Sound of Us by Ashley Poston, a very vibrant and energetic new adult book where music plays an integral role, so I’m very excited to get deeper into it.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing more. I’m really excited to move further along my sequel to We Found Somewhere, because I’ve become really proud of my characters and I’m really enjoying presenting them with new challenges and seeing how they continue to grow.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’d have to bring a Harry Potter book, probably the Order of the Phoenix. Then the Time Traveler’s Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger. Then for some real literary stuff I’d bring Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, it’s such a powerhouse of writing skill that I’m inspired every time I pick it up, and finally I’d bring Moby Dick by Herman Melville because, if I only had four books and was stuck on a desert island, maybe I’d actually finish it then.
Author Websites and Profiles
Heather Grant Website
Heather Grant Amazon Profile
Heather Grant Author Profile on Smashwords
Heather Grant’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account