Thursday, May 6, 2010

Author Uncovered: Bonnie Hearn Hill (Author Interview)


Hi Guys! Today, I have awesome author Bonnie Hearn Hill for an interview! She's the author of Aries Rising and Taurus Eyes...both of which are amazing books! Bonnie is uber hilarious!



Why did you decide to write a book that revolved around astrology and a summer writing course?
My best friend, Hazel Dixon-Cooper, was the Cosmopolitan Bedside astrologer for six years. That stuff rubs off on you. I thought it would be fun to write about a teen who finds an astrology book and tries to use it to change her life.

Who is your favorite character from the Star Crossed series?
I love Logan, my protagonist. I love the ghost in TAURUS EYES, and I really, really love Jeremy, the hot Taurus love interest.

Why did you choose to incorporate mystery as well as astrology and the summer writing course? It's a really interesting combination!
I've written six adult thrillers. I guess I just think like that.

Personally, what is your opinion on astrology? Do you believe in it? Or not?
I never thought about it until Hazel Dixon-Cooper joined my writing class. She made me realize that the Sun sign is not the sum of the person. I learned right along with Logan, my character, but I am not an astrologer. Far from it. I am pretty good at guessing someone's sign, and I use astrology as a shortcut to understanding someone I first meet.

What's your star sign?
Sun sign, not star sign. I am a double Gemini (communicator) with a mad-scientist/want-to-save-the-word Aquarius Moon. Perfect for my jobs as writer/mentor. What's your sign?

I'm a Pisces (March 10), do you have any horoscope advice/sayings for me?
Hazel is also a Pisces, and she says it's the most creative sign but can get sidetracked dreaming and procrastinating instead of doing. Do you know your Moon or Rising?

Which character do you resonate most with, in the Star Crossed series?
Probably Logan because I'm in her head. TAURUS EYES is a love story, and I fell in love right along with Logan. I felt 16 again.

What was the message that you tried to get across to your readers with the Star Crossed series?
Each book has a different message. ARIES RISING is about coming into your own power. TAURUS EYES is about falling in love and learning how to let go of what you love. If there's an ultimate message, it's that no one--not your guy, not your parents, not astrology--can do it for you. The power is within you.

The premise of the Star Crossed series is quite unique. How did the idea bloom? Because of my friendship with Hazel. I knew there were astrology mysteries out there, but I didn't know of any for teens.

What would you have done if you were in Logan's place?
In TAURUS EYES, I don't know if I would have had to courage to do what she did because she knew discovering the truth could mean the end of her relationship. Yet she took that risk for love, and I think we all want to believe we'd make the same choice.

The cover is really cool and creative! Did you have any input in it?
Yes, and so did my agent. My publisher is wonderful, and the whole process was a team effort.

What's the most interesting thing a reader has ever said to you?
"Can you tell me where the bathroom is?" (in a bookstore).

Another is, "My life could be a movie. Why don't you write it, and I'll split the money with you."

Finally, at a signing for INTERN, my thriller, a young woman and her family followed me around the store. When I began to speak, she was on the left side of the room. Then I turned, and she was on the right side, all the time getting closer. When I began to sign, she approached me, the book in a large plastic bag. Finally, she said, "Do you know who I am?" Turns out she had the same name and was the same age as the politician's intern/girlfriend in the book. Although she and her family turned out to be friendly, I was pretty nervous at first.

What’s up next for you book-wise?
Another Star Crossed book will be out in October. GEMINI NIGHT.

Book you've faked reading:
Too many to count. I buy many books to support other writers. I can't say I read them all.

Book you've bought for the cover:
NEVER LET ME GO (Ishiguro) had a wonderful cover, and the book was even better.

Book you're an evangelist for:
47, by Walter Mosley. Read it if you haven't. 47 is the name of a slave, and although the book is marketed as young adult/paranormal, its appeal is universal. I love it.

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19 comments:

Lale May 6, 2010 at 7:57 PM  

The concept of astrology in teen fiction sounds really interesting- I have a sort of vague fascination with it :) I'm a Picses, too, and that description fits me perfectly!

Erika May 6, 2010 at 9:04 PM  

great interview! i'm a sucker for astrology, so i'm definitely going to give her books a try!

Unknown May 6, 2010 at 11:07 PM  

Great interview! Atrology seemed to have a big role in the book. Sounds interesting and fun!

Heather May 7, 2010 at 12:29 AM  

This was a great interview! I am really looking forward to reading her books. I thought it was funny that a person asked her to write their life story and split the money.

k_sunshine1977 May 7, 2010 at 1:47 AM  

sounds great! i'm gonna look for this title (and the walter mosley title, too)!

Bethany May 7, 2010 at 3:51 AM  

Nice interview!! My friend has the same name as a charactor in a book!

Alex Bennett from Electrifying Reviews May 7, 2010 at 4:06 AM  

I was this close to buying the first book!

linz May 7, 2010 at 5:15 AM  

I love the astrology aspect. It's new and different. Sounds like a great book.

linz May 7, 2010 at 5:16 AM  

I love the astrology aspect. It's new and interesting. Sounds like a great book.

Amber Skye May 7, 2010 at 5:33 AM  

What a fun interview! I just recently heard about this series, and I'm dying to read it.

Unknown May 7, 2010 at 11:09 AM  

Thanks, everyone.

Regarding being "invited" to write a life story and split the money--it's happened more than once.

One gentleman approached me at a conference and said he had tons of great story ideas and would be happy to split them with me if I would write them. Guess he didn't understand that the reason writers write is because we already have ideas.

Bella@BeguileThySorrow May 7, 2010 at 12:03 PM  

I love knowing people's signs. Though I don't think of astrology as something foolproof, it can be a fun social tool. Looking forward to reading this series! Hadn't heard of it before now :)

Unknown May 7, 2010 at 10:17 PM  

I admit I buy some books because the cover is great.

SiNn May 8, 2010 at 12:34 PM  

al ur books sound awesome ic ant wait to read them

Aik May 8, 2010 at 9:27 PM  

I must say that her stories, which have something to do with astrology, piques my interest.

Precious May 9, 2010 at 7:59 AM  

Wonderful review! Astrology is such a hard thing to believe but I find myself believing it at times. Everytime I read something about me (scorpio) it really matches me.

Anonymous,  May 9, 2010 at 10:01 AM  

OMG I love Hazel Dixon-Cooper! She's always right on the money. I love that she uses someone's sign as a shortcut. Good creative thinking :)

Lisa Richards/alterlisa May 10, 2010 at 3:36 AM  

Sounds like a great series and thanks for the comment on the Walter Mosley book,47. I have had it for awhile in my TBR pile and now I'll just have to read it.

Anonymous,  May 15, 2010 at 4:17 AM  

This is a great interview of a book that sounds really different. Thanks!

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