Interview with Maya Hughes

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Today I have my interview with Maya Hughes! Maya writes stories about characters with flaws and painful pasts, so she can heal them with her words and bring them together with their perfect match. The path is paved with love, laughter and lots of steamy nights!

Romance author, Maya Hughes, stops by HEA Novel Thoughts for an exclusive interview where discuss her writing and thoughts on Black History Month.

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t wearing your author hat?
Baking with my kids! I should probably say making delicious healthy muffins made with zucchini, but it’s usually chocolate chip cookies and cupcakes 🙂

What is the most recent book to make you cry?
Probably The Score by Elle Kennedy during a curveball in the book. I won’t spoil it for anyone. It was just one of those things that happens and you can’t make sense of it and it hit really close to home at the time.

What would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal? Why?
In light of the Super Bowl, I’m going to have to go with an eagle! Fly, Eagles Fly!

What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
Making sure I’m being authentic to their voice. It’s easy to get into the head of a woman for me, but sometimes I need to go back and re-read my writing and I’ll laugh. Like no freaking way is he going to recognize the flower arrangements on the table.

How do you select the names of your characters?
I find a name I like and then I go through lots of baby name sites. Or sometimes, if the character has a strong trait, I might try to find something that fits with it. I love using Irish or Scottish names because those aren’t as common, but I make sure there is a pronunciation scene in the book. Not many people will know Naimh is pronounced like Neave.

Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
All my books take place in one giant world, so there are nods to past characters and places in my books. Not in every one, but for the most part I try to sprinkle them in.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?
It’s usually about a month. I do a draft as quickly as I can off my outline to get my characters on the page, then I’ll read it over again before it goes to my editors.

What does Black History Month Mean to you?
It serves as a reminder for me to stop and make sure I’m highlighting the culture and history of black people to my kids. I try to do it whenever I can, but it’s a special time when there are so many celebrations and I can look to those to make learning about history fun for my kids. They each get to pick a new book and we try to read it daily. Right now, we’re reading Princess Hair.

What are you currently reading?
Other than Princess Hair? I’m reading ARCs from some of my author friends. I read way less than I should. It’s hard to find the time, but I try to read at least twenty minutes per day, which is hard. I’ve been known to binge read into the wee hours of the night!

If you could go back and give your younger self advice, what would it be?
Start writing! All those characters living in your head will be character people love, so start writing them now!

Do you have any tips or hacks that help you stay organized in life, writing or social media?
I use the Productivity Planner to help me set goals throughout the day and not get overwhelmed. There is always more to be done, but sometimes you have to slow down. Also, spreadsheets! Spreadsheets! Spreadsheets! I probably have one for everything. Contact lists, story ideas, writing and editing schedules are only a few of the spreadsheets I use daily.

Do you relate more to one of your characters than the others?
I think all of them have a tiny piece of me or someone I know in them, whether it’s a food they like, a word they love or how they sleep in the bed like a starfish. But I think I’d want to hang out with Dahlia the lead in my upcoming book the most. She’s cool, not afraid to throw down for a friend and she could teach me how to walk in heels. I have yet to master that skill.

I have really enjoyed having Maya Hughes’ interview! If you did as well I would love for you to share with your friends on Facebook!!

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