Interview with Theresa Hissong, author of Rocked

What can you tell us about your new release, Rocked?

Rocked is a reverse harem novel centered around the #1 rock band, Cycle of Sin, and their tour manager, Bristol Mateo. The band vows their love to her after she finds herself falling in love with each of the five band members during their tour across the world. It’s an unconventional relationship, and you’ll have to read it to see how it all plays out.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

When I was a kid, I would make up stories in my head to help me go to sleep at night. As I grew older, I would catch myself daydreaming a lot more, but I never wrote them down. I liked keeping the stories for myself at that stage in my life.

In 2009, my husband deployed to Iraq for almost a year. My neighbor, and best friend, told me I should try to write a book while he was gone to help the time pass. At first, I laughed it off, but after I put the kids to bed that first night, I opened up a Word document, and started writing.

In four months, I’d written a book with all of my friends as characters and set it aside. I never thought I’d ever try to publish that book, and I stuck to my job as a mom and an Air Force wife. I found that I loved writing, and eventually opened another document…and another…and another. For the next five years, during his long deployments, I would write.

In 2013, he retired from the military, and I was able to pursue my dream of publishing. I released my first book in June of that year. I’ve been writing ever since.

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

1.      A Streetcar Named Desire – Tennessee Williams

2.      The Vision – Dean Koonz

3.      Water for Elephants – Sara Gruen

4.      Twilight – Stephenie Meyer

5.      Dark Lover – JR Ward

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

I would love to ask JR Ward about her world in the Black Dagger Brotherhood novels.  I really want to get inside her head and ask what gave her the idea.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

I love escaping into my thoughts and creating a story. It’s a total rush of adrenaline when you are in “the zone” with writing, and I seek that out every day.

What is a typical day like for you?

I start my day with coffee and social media. I enjoy interacting with fans online, and I use that as my morning routine. First and foremost, I’m a mom, and I take many breaks during the day to run errands for the family. Writing happens mid-morning to lunchtime and after dinner, but most of my writing is done late at night after the house has gone silent.

What scene in Rocked was your favorite to write?

There’s a scene on a hotel balcony…that’s all I’m going to give away.

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

Actually, yes, I do. I have wanderlust something fierce, and I love to travel. Sitting still bores me, and I want to see and experience so many things before my time here is through. When people ask me how I tolerate constantly being on the go, I tell them, “You only get one shot at this life. Don’t be on your deathbed and have regrets.”

Theresa Hissong is the author of the new book Rocked. 

Connect with Theresa:
Author Page
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