Please welcome April Harper to the Author of the Week page! This new author has recently released her debut novel after serving in the Army for eight years. Let's support our heroes!
Hi April, tell me a little about yourself for our readers!
I served in the United States Army for 8 years. I am the proud wife and mother of nine children through a wonderful blended family. My family has made its home in Austin, Texas. I love reading- to date my favourite book is “The Hate you Give” by Angie Thomas. When I have time, I love shopping with my daughters- They are the best shopping partners, or I can be found curled up on the sofa alongside my son for “Law and Order marathons. Other than that, I devote a lot of my time working with families in the Austin area to find and secure affordable housing.
I thought I had it bad with five children, I can't imagine how you're sane with nine! What got you into writing?
Writing is something that I have always done. As a child, I would write poems as a coping mechanism. As I got older, I found that I had stopped writing and focused on other things. One day, in conversation with one of my daughters, she expressed her difficulty with writer’s block. Now, I must say she is a brilliant writer, but her mom is not all that into the genre that she writes. I have always been a firm believer with my children that the best way to parent is to lead by example. So, I picked up the pen for the first time in years and we began writing together.
A commendable quality. What’s the main thing you love and hate about writing?
The main thing I love about writing is giving my characters a voice. Because Broken Essentials has some very real situations, it is always my hope that it reaches out and touches different people that have been through similar situations or knows someone who has and creates conversation.
I can’t say that I hate anything about writing. It is a challenging field, but if I had to name one thing, I would like to see improvement on, it would have to be the embracement of Indie Authors. I truly believe that there are many exquisite pieces of writing out there by underrated Authors that need to be heard.
I agree with that last sentiment, hence this interview! Who is the worst villain you’ve ever written, and why?
I have written many different villains in my unpublished work, but I would have to say of all villain’s it would be Terry in Broken Essentials. She is the worst villain because she is a character that does things that make her a villain, but readers can also see her as a victim. You are not quite sure why she does what she does, but you know there is something good in her if she could just find it.
What is next on your list to write/publish?
I am super excited about my current work in progress! It is a novel that is extremely challenging for me. I have never written from the point of view this book is being written in. If I nail it- praying to the book Gods- it will be my best piece of writing!
Updates will be posted on BrokenEssentials.com
I hope you have a best seller on your hands. I've interviewed a few people now and you're truly excited about your writing, it's a pleasure to see. Who is your favourite author, and why?
Wow! That is a tough one. There are so many Authors that I absolutely enjoy reading. Of course, you have Terry McMillian, Zane, Angie Thomas, John Grisham, Toni Morrison. Tyree Omar, Hint, most of my home library. I don’t have a favourite Author. They all write in a style that brings me right into the story. Depending on the mood I am in, each one fits perfectly.
Who encouraged you the most to write?
I would have to say my children inspired me to write.
That's so sweet. Are you as avid a reader as a writer?
I am busted! I am not as avid a reader as I am a writer. I would love to be able to fit more reading in my schedule. I mostly listen to audio books on my way to and from place to place, it would be nice to have more time to sit and read a physical copy more.
There's nothing quite like the feel of a paperback is there? What’s your favourite genre?
Adult fiction and all its subgenres’
Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what type? Or can’t you stand background noise when writing?
I don’t listen to music when I write at all, unless you count the sounds of my children running up and down the stairs, the refrigerator opening and closing, or the chatter of voices in the background and the television- mostly football.
Oh, April I truly emphasise there, I have music on to drown out the sound of my children fighting! If you could interview any famous author who would it be and why?
Angie Thomas- She is the first Author to get my youngest son to read with excitement. I need to know her secret.
Tell me a secret that none of your fans know!
I am terrified of frogs.
Oh dear god me too, my younger brother put on down my back when I was 13, I still haven't forgiven him thirty years later! Tell me what your main character would say about you!
She would say I am her best friend.
Finally, any words of advice?
Stay true to yourself. Don’t write to please everyone, because you can’t. Write because no one can tell the story better than you.
April, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day, I can imagine those army skills come in handy with nine children! Your interview was a joy to write. To keep up to date with April please follow her at the following. Facebook: April Harper Instagram: Classy_mrsharper Amazon: April Harper Website: https://www.brokenessentials.com/ Disclaimer. The opinions and views expressed in the article are the interviewees and may differ from the interviewer/general public. The works and images published here may be subject to the Authors copyright, please do not copy the images or claim them as your own.
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