Friends, we're fortunate to have an interview with USA Today bestselling author Callie Hutton today.
Caroline: Tell us something about growing up and your life.
Callie: Hi everyone. Even though I
now reside in the great state of Oklahoma, I am originally a Jersey girl, born
and bred. I’ve branded myself an Okie-Jersey. I have two sisters still in New
Jersey and one brother in Florida. My brother is a retired fire fighter who is
my ‘go to’ expert when I need something answered on fires. As a child, I was
such a bookworm. Oftentimes in the summer mom would snatch the book out of my
hands and state, “Go play outside. It’s a beautiful day.” Actually, I think mom
just wanted all of us out of the house so she could have some peace and quiet.
I am married for thirty-eight
years to my biggest cheerleader, Doug. We have three children, one in Canada,
and two in Oklahoma. My son and his wife (in Oklahoma) just had twin boys back
in August. I’m really enjoying my grandma role.
Caroline: Who are your favorite authors
and favorite genres?
There isn’t any way I can
state a favorite author because it would overrun the page. Some of them,
however, are Lynn Kurland, Linda Lael Miller, Madeline Hunter, Julia Quinn,
Amanda Quick, Lynsay Sands, Stephanie Laurens, and so, so many more. I have
tons of friends whose books I love, as well – Caroline Clemmons, Merry Farmer,
Kirsten Osbourne, Peggy L. Henderson, Char Chaffin, Cheryl Yeko, Sylvia
McDaniel. Goodness, I could go on forever.
My favorite genre is
historical, both western and regency. I also enjoy a highlander story with a
lad in a kilt.
Caroline: Thanks for including me, Callie. What’s your favorite way to
relax and recharge?
Callie: Relax and recharge time is
precious. I love spending time with my grandbabies and I read all the time
(even at traffic lights). I rarely go to movies and aside from a news program
or two, never watch television. I can’t seem to find the time to do it.
Caroline: Do you have a favorite quote
that sums up how you feel about life?
Callie: Carpe Diem
Caroline: How long have you
been writing?
Callie: I’ve been writing all
my life, magazine articles, company newsletters, etc., but only wrote my first
book in 2010
Caroline: You’ve achieved a
lot in that time, Callie. Where do you prefer to write? Do you need quiet,
music, solitude? PC or laptop?
Callie: My laptop is my best
friend. I write in quiet surroundings (my office). Sometimes I’ll listen to
music, but I end up turning it off because I find it a distraction.
Caroline: Classical music
helps drown out other distractions for me. Are you a plotter or a panzer?
Callie: Started out a panzer,
switched a year ago to plotter, and now I find I’m somewhere in between. My
publisher requires a synopsis for a contracted book before I start it, which I
run by my editor and we bang out the story. Then I outline the first few
chapters and write those. By that time I
know how I want the next few chapters to go, and it continues on that way.
Caroline: Do you use real
events or persons in your stories or as an inspiration for stories?
Callie: I definitely use real
events and places for my stories. I haven’t used real people, though. My book,
A RUN FOR LOVE, the first book in my Oklahoma Lovers series, is set during the
Oklahoma Land Run of 1889, and takes place in Guthrie, Oklahoma, as does the
rest in the series. I relied on The Linnean Society of London for my book, THE
DUKE’S QUANDARY, the second book in my Marriage Mart Mayhem series.
Caroline: Do you set daily
writing goals?
Callie: Writing is my job. I
go to it every day – even weekends. I’m in my office by 8 AM, and with breaks
throughout the day I’m there until around 10 at night, Monday through Friday. On
weekends I don’t write, but do about 4 hours a day in ‘writing tasks.’ I have a
fabulous personal assistant who makes my life so, so pleasant, and relieves me
of those annoying things I don’t have time for, and don’t want to do.
When I start a book, I figure
out how many chapters it will take to tell the story. Then I look at my
deadline (I always have one) and figure how many chapters a week I need to
write to get it finished and edited and off to my editor on time. Right now my
schedule is for four chapters a week to meet my goal.
Caroline: Similarly, I divide
the target page count to get my weekly schedule. What do you hope your writing
brings to readers?
Callie: Fun. Tears. Laughter.
Joy. A way to escape. I one time had a reader send me an email where she said
my books got her through chemo. It was a humbling moment.
Caroline: What long-term plans
do you have for your career?
Callie: Keep on writing and
writing and writing. Even if I never sold another book, I would continue to
write.
Caroline: Would you like to
tell us what you’re working on now?
Callie: I’m currently writing
the fifth book in my Marriage Mart Mayhem series (regency). After that I will
be writing the last book in my Oklahoma Lovers series.
Caroline: What advice would
you give to unpublished authors?
Callie: If you want to be
published, make writing your priority. After God and family, your writing has
to come next. Write every day, read craft books, and read, read, read.
Caroline: Share a fun fact
readers wouldn’t know about you.
Callie: I gave the commencement speech at my college
graduation at age 57.
Caroline: Share something
about you that would surprise or shock readers.
Callie: I one time interviewed
Peter Lawford for a magazine. (I think I’ll keep the shockers to myself, LOL.)
Caroline: I know the answer
to this but always ask if your book is a series.
Callie: Yes, A CHANCE TO LOVE
AGAIN is the third book in my Oklahoma Lovers series. The others are, A RUN FOR
LOVE #1, A PRESCRIPTIONS FOR LOVE, #2, then A CHANCE TO LOVE AGAIN, followed by
A WIFE BY CHRISTMAS (even though that came out three years ago, time wise the
story happens after A CHANCE TO LOVE AGAIN.) They are about the Henderson
family, consisting of Tori Henderson and her four nieces and nephews that she
is the guardian for.
Caroline: Readers (including
me) love series. Can you give readers a blurb about your book?
Callie: Widow Rachel Stevens
is very happy with her job as a cook for the Lazy Sunset ranch where she is
raising her son. However, the new foreman, Rusty McIntyre, is turning her life
upside down. She could overlook how her son has begun to idolize Rusty, but
she’s having a heck of a time ignoring the flutters in her stomach every time
the man smiles at her.
But Rusty has problems of his
own. His previously unknown fourteen year old daughter has just arrived to live
with him. Used to always being on his own, now he has a young boy following him
around imitating his every move, and a surly young lady glaring at him. Throw
into the mix the tug he feels toward the ranch cook—who wants no part of
him—and life is no longer as easy as it once was.
Caroline: How about an
excerpt?
Callie: Here you are:
Rusty
rested his hands on his hips. “Ma’am, I don’t mean to criticize, but you need
to take better notice of what your boy is doing.”
“Indeed?”
Her eyebrows rose to her hairline.
“He
came barreling around that corner like his feet were on fire. Crashed into me,
which caused this entire counter of thread to land on the floor.”
The
woman turned to the boy. “Will, please apologize to the—gentleman.”
Rusty
almost grinned at her hesitation to call him a ‘gentleman.’
The
kid hung his head. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s
not me you have to apologize to, young man. You have to go on up there to the
front of this store and tell that woman behind the counter that you’re sorry.
Then you need to fix up the display that you—”
“Wait
just a damn minute!”
Rusty
jerked and glanced from the boy to the woman. She was so red in the face, he
wouldn’t be surprised if her cheeks caught fire. Her eyes snapped, and she
worked her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but was too agitated to get
it out.
“How
dare you presume to tell my son what the proper thing is for him to do!”
She
surprised the hell out of him by poking him in the chest. Not once, or twice,
but several times until he had backed up and was pressed against the counter
with the thread all piled in the jumble in the middle.
Despite
her agitation, he couldn’t help but notice her smooth skin, dark blond hair and
crystal blue eyes. And when she’d come racing down the aisle after her child,
he’d taken in her curves. Yep, a fine-looking woman.
Caroline: Intriguing excerpt.
Where can readers find your books?
Callie: A these sites:
Amazon: amzn.to/1sV4F4j
Smashwords:
http://bit.ly/1D75iuo
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1yufDQ4
Caroline: How can readers
learn more about you?
Callie: I have a newsletter, Callie’s Comments, that notifies
readers of new releases, contests, etc. Here is the sign up link: bit.ly/1rsc7Ae. I also have a very
fun, crazy street team, Callie’s Cohorts. The link for that is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/calliescohorts/?fref=ts.
My website is: www.calliehutton.com
Caroline: Is there anything
else you’d like readers to know about you?
Callie: I enjoy hearing from
my readers. You can contact me through my website, or email me at: calliehutton11@gmail.com
 |
| Callie Hutton, Author |
USA Today best selling author
of THE ELUSIVE WIFE, Callie Hutton writes both Western Historical and Regency
romance, with “historic elements and sensory details” (The Romance Reviews). She also pens an occasional contemporary or
two. Callie lives in Oklahoma with several rescue dogs, two adult children, and
daughter-in-law (thankfully all not in the same house), and her top cheerleader
husband of thirty-eight years. She also recently welcomed twin grandsons to her
ever expanding family. Callie loves to hear from readers, and would welcome you
as a “friend” on Facebook. You can contact her through her website: www.calliehutton.com.
If you would like to keep
informed on sales, contests and new releases, sign up for her newsletter, Callie’s Comments here: http://bit.ly/1rsc7Ae
or join her street team, Callie’s
Cohorts, where fun, gossip, contests, and general mayhem lives and
flourishes. https://www.facebook.com/groups/calliescohorts/
On Friday, please return for the preview of the box set in which Callie and I have titles included.
Thanks for stopping by!
