1.
What
was the hardest part of getting published, for you?
The hardest part was the sacrifice I made to pursue
publication rather than having the normal teen experience. Although I have
always felt a bit different from others my age, at times I wondered what it
would be like to attend a normal high school and have more of a social life.
However, as an introvert, that was never too appealing for
me. Of course, I still had friends. I wasn’t too much of a hermit, haha =) And
honestly, if I had taken the route that most teens do, then I would have
probably been miserable. I would’ve wondered what it could have been like if I’d
pursued writing instead.
To me, it was worth it. It was worth getting a head start in
my career. It was worth living my dreams rather than waiting until after
graduation. And for that reason, I will never regret this decision.
2.
Can you
name a few titles that are similar to Purple
Moon?
Great question! Although there may be many books that have
similar elements as Purple Moon,
they’re not an exact replica, so it is a bit difficult for me to pinpoint a
similar title.
However, I will say that—in my opinion—you might enjoy Purple Moon if you enjoyed other YA
Christian fiction novels, such as: Summer
Promise by Robin Jones Gunn, There
You’ll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones, and Glass
Girl by Laura Anderson Kurk.
3.
Besides
getting offered the contract and receiving the books, what are a few highlights
of your publishing career?
There are so many highlights of my publishing career!
To name a few (other than the ones that you mentioned):
Seeing my book in print. Feeling the soft cover. Hearing the audible version of
it. Receiving letters from readers telling me how they enjoyed Purple Moon, how it ministered to them,
how they received Christ because of it, etc. (That is my absolute favorite
aspect of this job!) Signing with literary agent, Sally Apokedak. Holding book
signings. Speaking to schools and homeschool groups, encouraging them to pursue
their dreams. Being a finalist in the YA Fiction and First Book categories of
the 2014 Selah Awards.
Although I still have a long road ahead of me, I am grateful
for each and every milestone that has brought me to where I am today.
4.
Do you
have any advice for people who are trying to get traditionally published?
Make sure that you are familiar with the industry and craft
before diving in. Sometimes we can become so eager to achieve our dreams that we
forget the most important part: the preparation process. This is a vital part
of any career.
If you are trying to become traditionally published, I would
recommend that you spend at least a year studying by reading writing-craft
books, blogs on the craft, attending a writing conference or workshop, writing
practice books/short stories, etc. Learn how the industry works, but also
become familiar with fiction techniques and the rules of formatting a
manuscript. You do not want to come across as an amateur when you begin
submitting to agents and publishers.
Even though this process may take a while, it will get you
further in the long wrong. Trust me.
5.
Where
do you get some of your inspiration?
I can become inspired in the most random ways.
A story idea will come to me while watching a movie, listening to music,
looking at photographs, reading books or quotes or the Bible, listening to the
news, etc.
Story ideas are literally everywhere—and as a
writer, it is our job to be on the lookout for them at
all times.
Bio:
Tessa
Emily Hall spends her days sipping on lattes, immersed in a book, and cuddling
with her Teacup Shih-Tzu. She spent her high school years writing about a teen
whose life was far more interesting than hers. This resulted in her debut YA
novel, PURPLE MOON, a Selah Award Finalist published by LPC. She is also a
blogger at ChristisWrite.blogspot.com, a teen columnist for Whole Magazine, and
on the Teen Advisory Board for DevoZine. Tessa resides in South Carolina where
she is currently studying to earn a degree in Creative Writing.
