42
Today, I turn 42, and in honor of that, I thought I’d share 42 things about me, my writing, and anything else that pops into my head. Behold:
I believe in aliens (and I’m totally freaked out by the gray ones).
I’m a total mood writer (which means I may have plans but if a story gets stuck in my head and needs to GET OUT, it’s gonna get out regardless of my plans).
I read a crazy amount. Like… 250+ books a year.
I have agoraphobia (which, to save you a google search, is anxiety where I struggle to leave my house. I can leave now - after a fuck ton of exposure therapy - but have to take meds to do most things including grocery shop).
I’m addicted to lime Perrier and orange LaCroix (it’s a toss up which one I like more).
I’ve been married to the love of my life for… 19 years and we’ve been together for 22 (at some point, it just becomes 20-ish and I lose count haha).
I have one kiddo. He’s trans and my favorite kid in the whole world (yes, I’m biased).
When I get an idea for a new book, it’s usually just a scene that pops into my head. The scene is REALLY strong. Then I rush to write it down and obsess over it for days and days until I know more about it. All of my books are built from that point (usually I build characters next. This is also why I struggle so hard to actually get the stories out - because I have no idea what’s coming before or after that one scene and can really struggle with where to go with the story outside of that ONE scene).
I’m a plotter, which means I have to know everything about everything before I can get words down on a page. Some people can just sit down and write. Knowing basically nothing. I’m in awe of those people and wish I could do that instead of obsessing about every little detail.
I have celiac disease. It was just diagnosed this year and let me tell you - eating gluten free sucks balls. I would not be eating gluten free if I had any choice and most people don’t understand how to handle food in a way that’s safe for people like me, which means I never, ever eat out. No coffee shops, no eating anywhere that’s not completely dedicated gluten free. It’s been a rough adjustment but I’m feeling so much healthier.
I love love love character-driven stories. I really thought (since I write my books this way) I’d be more into stories that have external conflict (and I am into those stories) but the ones that really stick with me the longest are the ones where you really feel for the struggles and changes the main characters go through.
I’ll never read (or write) anything without an HEA. My anxiety can’t handle it.
I got diagnosed with ADHD when I was 7. It’s my chaos gremlin sidekick and at this point, like an old friend. No, I don’t take meds for it.
I’m starting to realize that 42 things is a lot and I’m not that interesting.
I like doing yoga when I remember to do it, like I always feel good after, but I rarely remember to do it. Cardio can fuck right off.
I can both knit and crochet, but I’d rather read and I haven’t figured out how to focus enough to do them at the same time.
I used to have a business making children’s hair bows. After 5 years-ish, I burnt out and moved on to writing.
I started writing with fan fic on Tumblr. No, you can’t read it. It’s awful lol BUT it did make me think, “Huh, maybe I can do this.”
I’m too lazy for makeup and doing my hair. Mostly I’m a messy bun and bare face kinda girl.
Swearing is one of my favorite things. I genuinely love it so much. Just give me all the fucks.
I live in the PNW. Was born here, moved away for a few years (so I’d know what I was missing!) and came back. This is my happy place. Seeing the mountains in the distance capped with snow and all the green trees year-round? There’s nothing like it. I could do without the rocky beaches, though. Sand is so much better.
I read almost exclusively MM at this point. There’s just something about the stories that hit different than MF. (I’m also desperate to write an MM book and I’m sure you’ll see one (or more…) from me at some point).
Omg I’m over halfway there. Okay… I’ve given up trying to keep up with slang. Slang is for the young people. I accept that’s no longer me. I’ve made peace with it.
I don’t drink alcohol. Never really have. People look at me weird for it, but honestly I dgaf. My mom’s an alcoholic. I don’t like how it feels and I don’t like how it looks losing control like that. That’s gonna be a no from me, dawg.
I’m sort of obsessed with politics. Not, like, obsessed obsessed, but I follow it. And I hate where we are as a country. I thought we were better than this.
I don’t have any pets because I’m allergic to almost everything (randomly, rabbits are the worst I’ve discovered so far with cats as a close second).
I love all sorts of metaphysical things. Tarot cards. Psychics. Ghostie things.
I finally just read Pride & Prejudice for the first time a couple of weeks ago. The entire time I was reading it, I was thinking, “What’s even the point of this? It’s not a romance. They barely talk or spend time together at all!” Literally, like 85% of the book is weird family drama. But then I got to the end and I somehow wanted more? I’m still confused about how I feel about it haha
I have one sister and she’s one of my best friends.
I recently discovered jumpsuits and now want to live in them at all times (the Natural Life ones are amazing! The Lucy is my current fave).
I want to say something profound about something I’ve learned in my life, but honestly, the biggest lesson is one my dad told me on my first babysitting job when I was 15-ish: “Always leave a place better than you found it.” To this day, I still live by this little nugget of wisdom.
Overwhelm is a real thing I struggle with. Sensory and otherwise.
I love having my books on audio, but can’t stand listening to them read out my own writing. (Usually, I cringe my way through a chapter and call it good if everything sounds like it should).
And on the audiobook note, I get chronic migraines and the only thing that gets me through is listening to audiobooks (NOT my own haha) so I’m a bit of an audiobook junkie, too.
My favorite audiobook narrators right now are Corvin King and Alex Kydd.
I keep a list of potential character names in my Google Keep. I look for inspiration everywhere because I don’t tend to like traditional names so much. I’m a big fan of names that aren’t hard to pronounce but are original and memorable (like my first male main characters, Zen and True).
I hate socks and will avoid them at all costs.
Disaster movies are my favorite. Particularly, Independence Day, Dante’s Peak, Armageddon, Deep Impact, 2012, and Twister (and yes, I count Independence Day even though it’s aliens and not a natural disaster per se). I love writing to them.
My second favorite movies? The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I’ve seen them probably a thousand times (okay, maybe not a thousand but a lot). I’m currently writing Accidentally Ever After to them (and extended edition is non-negotiable).
I love the idea of being written in the stars and fate and soulmates.
Birkenstocks are the best shoes and I will never own a pair of Crocs.
There are days when I feel like I’m a horrible writer or I’ve forgotten how to write. I’ll sit down and the words aren’t there and I think, “How did I do this before?” or “I did this before so I should be able to do it now.” Except I can’t. I wish I could find a way around those days.
Aaand there you have it. This is me as I am at 42. Leave a comment and share with me something about you or something we have in common. I’m off to “treat” myself to a chiropractor appointment because back pain in your 40s is no fucking joke. Why did no one tell me about this?
-H