Emmie Hamilton is an award winning fantasy author and part time professor. As a lifelong New England resident, she spends her free time hiking, traveling, and homeschooling her son and can usually be found at the beach or local coffeehouse. Follow her on Instagram @authoremmiehamilton.
Questions:
- Tell our readers a little about yourself and your writing (including publications).
Hi, I’m Emmie. I’m an English professor and sometimes author. I like to write fantasy stories based in reality that have elements of trauma and humor mixed in. I have completed the Destined series and published part one of a planned duology called When Stars Become Shadows. - What writing projects are you currently working on?
I’m very much a mood writer, rather than a disciplined one, so I have several projects I’m dappling in, including part two of my duology, a contemporary romantic comedy (far beyond my usual wheelhouse), and a few others including a short story and poetry collection. - Are you a daytime writer, a mid-day writer, a nighttime writer, or just someone who writes when the mood hits you?
Honestly, I’m more of a midnight to early morning writer, but my health team isn’t pleased with my insomnia so I’ve had to shift to mid-morning when the time allows. And, of course, when the mood strikes. - Do you have a writing “Bucket List” (goals you want to accomplish as a writer)?
At this point I want to finish all the projects I’m working on, but eventually I’d like to switch genres and mediums. I have an idea for a screenplay that will probably never come to light, but would be amazing. As for a top author moment – I’d love to see someone get a tattoo inspired by my writing. - Who is your favorite author and why?
I don’t know how to choose just one! I admire many across genres, and I don’t think there’s a single one that I would say is my ultimate favorite. One author that was really inspirational to me for the past 15 years is Karen Marie Moning. Her Fever series is a paranormal romance filled with suspense and incredibly layered plot lines throughout the original five books. She also has written some of the best character growth that I try to exemplify in my own writing. - Who/what first inspired you to write?
I think I fell in love with writing in 6th grade, when we had an assignment to write a chapter of The Outsiders from a different point of view. I chose Sodapop’s, and ended up rewriting the entire book rather than just his chapter. It was one of the most fun assignments I’ve ever done, still, to this day! I have a copy of it lying around somewhere. - What are your favorite book genres?
I read across all genres, but I tend to fall back to Science Fiction and Fantasy the most. I rarely read romance, even though it’s usually an element in what I write, and will use literary fiction or horror as palate cleansers from time to time. - Do you have any “rules” when you write? (EX for me: the dog never dies!)
Hmm, I try to write freely and honestly with whatever is happening in my characters’ lives, but I do avoid child abuse. I’m pretty firmly against that, and I never include animal or pet deaths. - Speaking of animals, do you have any pets?
I’m not allowed to have pets where I currently live, but I look forward to when I can own a set of bonded kittens! - When you are in a writing funk, how do you find your way out?
My inclination is to say that I have no idea, as I’ve been in a funk for a long time. Part of the way I can inspire myself is to fill my creative cup in other ways. I watch more TV or movies during this time and try to get a sense of storytelling in a different light. I went to see Frankenstein at the movies a few months ago, and there was one scene in particular where the light and shadows were contrasted so starkly, it reminded me of a scene I wanted to write in my rom-com. I pulled out my notes app and wrote at least two pages, just based off shadows. You never really know when inspiration will strike! - Do you ever base any characters on yourself? Give specifics in your books if possible.
Yeah, definitely. Nellie is one of the main characters in the Destined series, and she’s fully based off of who I used to be when I was younger, before I became jaded with life. She’s carefree, funny, and brings the levity needed. I think if any of my friends who knew me in high school read it, they’d recall certain phrases and things I would say that I have Nellie say and do. I’ve also put pieces of myself into Syn, the main character of When Stars Becomes Shadows. She has to work through a great deal of trauma based on how she grew up and what she was taught to believe about herself, and in many ways, I put my own experiences on paper with her as well. - What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a writer?
Contrary to what the previous question says, I would probably recommend that a writer not put too much of themselves into their characters, or at least when you have unresolved issues that need to work themselves out in real life. It can really put a pause on your writing if you aren’t sure how something will realistically play out. I’d also recommend they read across genres and get inspiration from many storytelling mediums, not just books. Finally, I encourage all writers to practice their craft and storytelling ability. Take a class or workshop, join a writers group, get a critiquing partner. It’s a skill that needs to be continuously honed, and it helps to have a good community to support your way through it.
Eric Woods, Author 