Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Beth Hudson
Book Titles: Goldsong
Released: 12/1/2020
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Goldsong”?
Hudson: I’ve written two other novels set in this world already, but as I’m a musician as well as a writer, I wanted to write about a character who synthesizes music and magic. Music has an ineffable quality which makes it so much more than the techniques and notes involved, and parallels the sense of magic I first learned from books as a child. For me, magic isn’t just a special effect; it’s a completely different dimension of power that evokes wonder. As does music.
Additionally, I wanted to explore a situation where the divine right of kings involves the gods appointing someone as ruler *because* they don’t want power, and are therefore the most fit to have it. This story grew from the character up, rather than from the plot or even the world.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process, or your book?
Hudson: I’ve been writing seriously since I was seven, and finished my first novel in eighth grade. (It was terrible). I’m also a short story writer, and have had a number of short stories published in various magazines; these have ranged from flash fiction to nearly 10,000 words, and each one is a different challenge. My writing process itself is a matter of setting myself a word goal daily (500-1000) because if I go faster, I burn out. This has kept me writing and producing since the mid 90s.
Goldsong was a special challenge because I realized halfway through that it was going to be far longer than reasonable for a self-published book. I had to go back through, cut the second half, figure out how to make the main subplot into the main plot, and completely Frankenstein and restructure it. I think it came out better.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Hudson: Writer’s block for me is a matter of breaking down the work into manageable segments. I write a small amount daily, telling myself I can rewrite anything which is terrible (sidestepping the mindset of being unable to put words down because they’re not good enough). I don’t rely on being inspired every time I write, but instead hoard the inspirations I do have (often when I’m away from my keyboard) and remember them or write them down for future work. (I can seldom tell the difference later on between what was “inspired” and what I just slogged through). I go into editing with the single focus of fixing specific problems, and don’t worry about the publishing aspects. For traditionally published querying, I also focus on completing each step (synopsis, research on where to send something, the query itself). This avoids the overwhelming feeling that there is so much work to be done I might as well not start.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Hudson: I’d say for aspiring authors – don’t rush to publish too soon. Build up your experience, polish your craft, and put the best work you can out there, not just the first thing you finish.
If "Goldsong" were adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Hudson: I would love to see unknowns cast as my characters if Goldsong were made into a movie. The advantage is that viewers would not associate the actors with other roles, and therefore would have no expectations about the characters based on the actors’ previous performances.
What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?
Hudson: My favorite genre is the one I write in – fantasy (though I also have a real love for science fiction and old mysteries). My all-time favorite book may be “The Little Prince,” but there are so many other books I love that I’m not sure. “Moonheart” by Charles de Lint. “A Riddle of Stars” by Patricia McKillip. “The Lord of the Rings.” And more recent books such as “Uprooted” and “Spinning Silver” by Naomi Novik. “Silver on the Road” by Laura Anne Gilman. The Tufa series by Alex Bledsoe. There are some amazing new works coming out all the time.
What are you working on next?
Hudson: I am currently working on “Runedance,” the sequel to “Goldsong” (which contains part of the story I cut). I’m also doing some flash fiction and microfiction, but want to complete about three short stories I’ve been part way through for ages. And I have a couple of other novels, including a middle grade fantasy I’d like to get done.
Learn More About the Author and Goldsong:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TFiredrake
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/etchedinfire
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