Interview with Lydia M. Hawke, Author of Becoming Crone

What can you tell us about your new release, Becoming Crone?

Becoming Crone is a magical coming-of-age story with a twist: the heroine is 60 instead of the usual 16(ish)! I love a good coming-of-age story, and I adore paranormal fiction, but as an older woman myself, I was tired of the young ‘uns getting all the action, lol. I really wanted to see people my own age on the page, especially women, because we are still such a fit, powerful, and vital demographic. The new paranormal women’s fiction genre was started by a group of authors who share this mindset, and I’m just pushing the boundaries a little further with the age of my heroine.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I’ve been writing stories for my own pleasure since high school, but it was my husband who pushed me to seek publication. He’s been my biggest supporter (and fan) all along, and I truly don’t think I would have ever had the courage on my own.

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

I’m going to cheat a little here, because apart from the first one, I’m going to list authors instead of single titles–it’s just too hard to choose!

1. The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas (I will always be in awe of the plotting in that book!)

2. Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen (actually, just Jane Austen in general)

3. Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Gamache books (her characters are amazing)

4. Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files books (I love the world-building in these)

5. And finally, Marie Bilodeau’s books for pure, rollicking good fun and slightly unhinged imagination (seriously, check out her Hellmaw: Eye of Glass book!).

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

I love finding out what’s going to happen next, lol. I’m what’s called a ‘pantser’ in that I don’t do much (any?) plotting and prefer to fly by the seat of my pants when I’m writing. It makes things challenging sometimes (I’ve written myself into SO many corners), but I love the surprises that come up in the story and then seeing how they all connect as everything comes together. My subconscious is definitely in charge of the process, and it fascinates me!

What is a typical day like for you?

Ha! Does such a thing even exist? I provide daycare for my grandson two days a week (hello, pandemic), I have a large dog who doesn’t tolerate heat but adores winter, and I’m an avid food gardener, so my schedule varies according to weather, season, day of the week…you name it, and I’m probably at its mercy. I do try to hit a daily word count for writing (500-1000 words), and I more or less keep Monday afternoons for emails and other paperwork, but apart from that, let’s just say it’s in my best interests to stay flexible.

What scene from Becoming Crone was your favorite to write?

Ooh. That’s a tough one. Several spring to mind, to be honest. I think because I had so much fun writing Claire and identified so closely with her. She has a lovely, wry voice that lends itself well to internal dialogue, and to the humor in the story–particularly in exchanges with her best friend, Edie. Given that I have such close friendships in my own life, I think those exchanges would qualify as some of my favorite bits.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

“It is what it is.” I’ve had to pivot so many times over the last year (hello again, pandemic…and who hasn’t, right?) that I’ve become even more pragmatic than I already was. And I think I wore out my flight-or-fight response around Christmas. “It is what it is” reminds me to accept what I can’t change so that I can move on instead of getting stuck. It’s not particularly inspiring or philosophical, but…it is what it is, right? 😉

Lydia M. Hawke is the author of the new book Becoming Crone

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