Hope White Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.  

Accused of being an eternal optimist, I was born and raised in the Midwest and migrated to the Pacific Northwest a few years ago. I began spinning tales of intrigue and adventure when I was in grade school, and wrote my first book when I was eleven — a thriller that ended with a mysterious phone call the reader never heard!  I went on to graduate from college with a degree in journalism, and was a feature writer for small newspapers for years before discovering a passion for writing fiction.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

A. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to write.  That said, I was writing non-fiction for years when my good friend challenged me:  “you need to read and write fiction.”  I was skeptical.  How do you create characters out of nothing?  How do you ground a reader in visual imagery?  It was all so foreign to me.  But as I read books by authors like Judith McNaught, Julie Garwood and Debbie Macomber, I realized I have to try this!

Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break?  

A. I started off in journalism and then branched out in public relations.  I worked for the American Academy of Pediatrics where I helped disseminate information about children’s health issues to the national media.  After having my second son, I decided to write fiction, and seven years later got my first break when I won a writing contest and the editor offered to read the entire book.  A year later I sold that book (my first) to Silhouette Romance.  As my career developed, my editor asked if I’d like to write for Love Inspired Suspense.  It’s a great match because I’m a spiritual person and I get to blend my three favorite things—romance, mystery and faith—in a compelling and hopeful read.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Small Town Protector?  

A. It’s the third book in my Port Whisper series.  It features Garrett Drake, a jaded federal agent who becomes involved in tracking down a serial killer and learns that not only is his estranged teenage son in the killer’s sights, but so is our heroine, Lana Burns, who is the one person that can open Garrett’s heart to the possibility of love and faith.  It’s about redemption, forgiveness and love of family and community.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for Small Town Protector?

A: I was watching a TV show one night and the hero had to make a difficult choice — put his wife and son in witness protection and never see them again.  I realized just how much we would do for the people we love, and wondered how we justify that against the pain we feel when we make great sacrifices.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?

A:  That we’re all doing the best we can. In other words we’re human and we make mistakes.  God forgives us, so shouldn’t we learn to forgive ourselves?

Q: What is your favorite scene/chapter from the book?

A:  When Lana uses her faith to try and talk a man out of killing her and Garrett.  As she prays out loud, she forgives the man who’s aiming the gun at them.  She has surrendered her situation to God as she cradles Garrett’s head in her hands (he’s unconscious on the ground).  Surrender is a beautiful thing to behold.

Q: What inspires you to write?  

A. Music!  The beauty of the Pacific Northwest — specifically mountains.  Quirky news stories.  Movies!

Q: How has being a published novelist differed from your expectations of the profession?  

A: There’s a lot more work involved than just writing the book – and mind you, that’s hard work in and of itself!  With all the social media outlets, the potential for promotion is boundless. 

Q: What advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started?

A: Follow your heart.  Write what you’re passionate about.  That doesn’t mean if you’re into knitting you can only write a mystery about knitting, but if you did the love for knitting would enhance your story.  Think about your own personal themes and start there. 

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?  

A. I’m developing a mini-series about Search and Rescue volunteers, plus I’m working on my fourth screenplay, a thriller set in the mountains.

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?  

A. Hang out with my boys.  My oldest son is in a band and has gigs all over town, and my youngest enjoys going to the movies with me.  We recently did a double feature that included the movie, BRAVE. 

Q: Where can readers find you on the Internet? 

A.  You can find me at hopewhiteauthor.com; on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/hopewhiteauthor; and Twitter @hopewhiteauthor.

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?  

A.  Keep challenging yourself, ask questions and learn new things.  Oh, and thanks to Susan Sleeman for including me on this fabulous site!