Welcome back to book news today, I have a different post for you than the usual book news, come and read the interview with the author of Remember My Royalty Hannah E. Griggs ahead of the book launch of her next book.
Hannah: I was probably somewhere around seven or eight when I first started writing.
Arjaye-Rose: That’s so awesome you started writing then. What inspired you to start writing?
Hannah: I really can’t remember ever not writing. I was writing down little stories about as soon as I learned to write. But as far as deciding to seriously pursuing writing, I was in my teens when I knew I wanted to. I’ve always loved writing stories, and it was that love which gave me the desire to continue doing it. Then in college, my English professor told me I had potential, which further encouraged me to go for it.
Arjaye-Rose: That’s really good your English professor was encouraging. What are your favourite snacks and drinks while writing?
Hannah: don’t eat much while writing, though occasionally I’ll enjoy cashews. Drinks are the same way, but sometimes I’ll have milk or hot chocolate or hot tea if it’s cold.
[Start of image description: a photo of a red and green tartan with the book Picture of Hannah’s new book Remember My Royalty on top of it. End of image description.]
Arjaye-Rose: Hot chocolate and tea are my favourites too. How often do you write per week?
Hannah: It really varies depending on what is going on in my life. If I’m really into a story, I might write every day in the week. But I have other times when I don’t write at all. It also depends on what stage of the writing process I’m in, if I’m drafting or editing or getting the book ready to publish.
Arjaye-Rose: Writing every day when really into a story sounds good, I think it’s good to have a mix of busier weeks than others with writing. What is the most you've written in a month?
Hannah: I can’t remember the exact amount, but the most I’ve ever written in a month was just over 100,000 words.
Arjaye-Rose: Oh wow that’s a lot of words! How many books have you published? Were they traditionally published or self published?
Hannah: This is my fourth book to publish. And they have all been self-published.
Arjaye-Rose: That’s awesome you’ve self published them, I know some authors have a mix of the two. Where do you find inspiration from for your stories?
Hannah: I get inspiration from many different places. I’ve found it in sermons, dreams, conversations, and even random signs alongside the road. I try to keep my eyes open because I never where the next burst of inspiration will come from.
Arjaye-Rose: That is so amazing that you find inspiration even from random road signs. What was the inspiration for Remember My Royalty?
Hannah: I was inspired to write the book after learning about one of the Scottish soldiers at the Alamo. Being of Scottish descent myself, I wanted to pay a tribute to the men of Scotland who gave their lives for Texas’ independence.
Arjaye-Rose: It’s such a lovely way to pay a tribute to the men of Scotland who gave their lives for Texas’ Independence, I’m also of Scottish descent. Did you do much research for Remember My Royalty?
Hannah: Yes, I did. It’s safe to say that I spent more time researching than I did writing. There was so much history to research as well as Scottish culture and making sure the words and phrases that I used were in existence at that time.
[Start of image description: a photo of the Almo which Hannah visited. The Almo is a stone building with a stone path in front of it. End of image description.]
Arjaye-Rose: Wow that’s a lot of research, I’m sure all the research has helped the story and I love how you’ve used words and phrases from that time too. What is something you hope readers take away from Remember My Royalty?
Hannah: I hope they take away the lesson of abiding in Christ. As Ealasaid, one of the characters puts it, “In my own strength, I will always fail, so now I walk in the strength of God.” I want the readers to remember that they must have Christ living through them as well as in them.
Arjaye-Rose: That is so important to remember and a lovely quote by Ealasaid too. What is your favourite thing about writing?
Hannah: I have a couple of favorite things about writing. It gives me an outlet for using the creativity and imagination that God has given me. It is also a hobby that I share with my sister, so writing is special to me for that reason. We write together, brainstorm together, and encourage each other. And another reason I love writing is because it gives me an opportunity to minister to others through the stories God gives me to write.
Arjaye-Rose: That’s so lovely you and your sister both share a love of writing and that you can work together as well. What is one thing you'd like to achieve with your writing?
Hannah: I’d love for one of my books to win one of the Christian book awards, like the Selah or Carol award. That would be a dream come true!
Arjaye-Rose: That would be so amazing! What is your biggest writing achievement so far?
Hannah: Probably the writing of this book has been my biggest achievement so far. It’s over 500 pages, and I’ve poured hours upon hours into writing, researching, and editing it.
[Start of image description: a photo of the book of Remember My Royalty standing at the back next to a vase with blue artificial flowers. On the other side of the vase is a book called under Texas skies. In front of it is a model of the Almo with a model cannon on the left and a blue artificial flower on the right side. End of image description.]
Arjaye-Rose: Awh that is amazing, I’m excited to read it. What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start writing or become an author?
Hannah: Consistency is key. When I started really growing as a writer was when I made it a habit to write for about thirty minutes before bed every night. That was when I finished my first book. If you want to excel as an author, you need to prioritize writing. Make writing happen. No, that doesn’t mean you have to write all day every day, but you should have a writing schedule and stick with it. Even if it’s only fifteen minutes twice a week, if you stick to it, the writing progress will add up quickly.
Arjaye-Rose: That is a really good idea to write consistently, it’s something I am trying to do myself. What is a fun fact about you?
Hannah: I love traveling, both in the US and internationally. I’ve been to 2 continents and 15 countries.
Arjaye-Rose: Wow that’s amazing and must be so interesting to have visited so many different countries. What hobbies do you like to do when you are not writing?
Hannah: When I’m not writing, I enjoy reading, playing my guitar, or being outside, particularly going for walks with my sister or working in my flower garden.
Arjaye-Rose: That’s so awesome, I didn’t know you played the guitar until I wrote your author bio in the Remember My Royalty blog post the other day. Thanks for letting me interview you, I’ve really enjoyed our chat today.
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