Author Uncovered: Samira Armin Hodges (Author Interview)

Hey guys! Here today, I have Samira Armin Hodges, author of Milestones! It was a great experience interviewing her and I hope you like it! Her answers are all interesting!

Her book:


Who or what was your inspiration for Milestones?
I’m not sure! It just came to me. One day, I was daydreaming about laying on a secluded beach and the next, I was daydreaming about this girl named Faye Martin who’s in love with a boy named Benji and who is also secretly jealous of her gorgeous best friend. The next thing I knew, her entire life story had materialized in my head and I had no choice but to bring her to life. That’s kind of how it goes with me. Poof! It’s there. Then I iron out the details.

How does it feel like, knowing your books are on those bookshelves in a bookstore?
Amazing, incredible, unbelievable, insane, mind-boggling, magical...Wonderful. A dream come true.

Did you base any of your characters on real people?
Yes! One character specifically, Cyrus, is based on my real-life cousin. Cyrus is the closest thing I have to a pain-in-the-rear….I mean a younger brother, so this was my way of making him immortal. And of sticking my tongue at him, figuratively.

What’s up next for you writing-wise?
After I finish the Milestones trilogy, I would love to write a tale about two, inseparable best friends who go through their first summer without each other. Well, there’s more to the story than that but that’s the gist of it for now...

What’s your favourite piece of advice for writers?
Never say never. If you can dream it, you can have it. I’m living proof of that. And I’m done with the clichés now, I promise. Oh and don’t underestimate people. If you need a little positive reinforcement, you’d be surprised to learn just how many people would be willing to read a little excerpt of your writing and give you the boost you need to go on and keep at it.

What has been the most rewarding aspect from writing your books?
When people read it and tell me what they think. I love hearing what people think of Milestones and where they hope the story will end up. It makes me feel as though it’s all worthwhile.

Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing?
I write all the time (even in my head, when I’m at work for instance). Truthfully, all I need is my laptop, a comfy chair and access to the internet. But what I end up with is: snacks, drinks, dogs, phone calls, interruptions and music!

If you weren’t an author, what would your dream job be?
Well, this question is a little strange for me to answer because I’m sort of already doing it. I’m a doctor and I love my job. But then I look at authors like John Grisham (lawyer first, author later) or Michael Crichton (doctor first, author later) and I think…well, I wouldn’t be the first!