Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer?
Every writer has a unique voice and style to share with the world.
Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:
- Finding your voice is one of the most important steps for new writers. Take time to explore what makes your writing stand out and resonates with you.
- Once you’ve discovered your voice, define what it means for you. Then research your chosen genera to see what styles are popular with readers and how your voice contrasts with them.
- Never stop learning and exploring. It takes time to perfect, and every writer’s journey is different. The more you write the more you grow.
So, have fun, embrace the process, and enjoy the journey! Writing is a continuous adventure, and every step forward is a step toward becoming the best version of yourself as a writer.
Do you play music while you write — and, if so, what’s your favorite?
I enjoy listening to music while I write, but it can sometimes be a little too distracting. I find myself getting lost in the melody instead of focusing on the words flowing onto the page!
That said, I do love creating while listening to classical music. Its relaxing and soothing tones inspire me and help set the perfect mood for my imagination to take flight.
Have you ever traveled as research for your book?
I have not but would love to! The Hound Dogged series takes place in Madison a small fictional town not far from Chicago. I went to Chicago once when I was a child, but I don’t remember too much about it. I love visiting small towns they are fun to explore and learn the history behind the town.
How do you celebrate when you finish your book?
I do a happy dance! Seriously, I take some time to really appreciate and recognize my accomplishment. The go out to dinner with my husband.
How long did it take you to write this book?
I had been working on some form of this book for years. Originally, Hound Dogged and Hard Dog’s Night were part of the same story, but when the decision was made to split them into two books I had to start from scratch in many ways. All I had was a very rough draft to work with.
I’ve been writing most of my life, but as an unpublished author, I wanted to make the best impression possible on my readers. It took about nine months of focused work to complete the final draft of Hard Dog’s Night.
What characters in your book are most similar to you or to people you know?
I think Anne and Betty are the two characters I can relate the most.
While I didn’t go through the exact situation Anne faces, I understand her struggles with self-esteem and her willingness to sacrifice her own happiness to please her parents. Anne is old enough to stand up for what she wants, but it’s the 1950s—a time when women were expected to marry and stay at home rather than pursue careers. She wrestles with wanting to be independent and breaking free from an engagement to a young man she doesn’t love.
Betty, on the other hand, is an awkward teenager who is shy and self-conscious about her thick glasses. She’s been teased a lot in school and believes she needs to look a certain way to have a boyfriend. I can completely relate to those feelings. Watching Betty grow into a strong, confident young woman has been such a rewarding experience for me.
What has helped or hindered you most when writing a book?
The one thing that helped me the most was the love and support of my husband. His constant encouragement and help has been invaluable to me. He believed in the book and convinced me it was good enough to pursue having it published. He has always been my number one cheerleader.
What is the best money you’ve ever spent with regard to your writing?
This is a tough question. I think signing up for an online self-publishing school has been one of the most valuable investments I’ve made. The program started by teaching me how to write a solid, compelling story, then walked me through the steps of book production and, finally, publication.
While this was a crucial piece of the puzzle, the part that comes after publication—marketing and advertising—is where I feel most authors struggle. The school touched on this briefly, but not in enough depth. They’ve since expanded their program to include more about this process, but there is still so much to learn.
Being older and not having much social media or computer experience made the climb even harder for me. I’ve learned a lot along the way, but I know there’s still so much more to grasp. It’s easy to get sucked into scams or services that promise help but don’t deliver, which makes trustworthy resources like the school even more valuable. It wasn’t cheap, but I’m thankful for the foundation they provided in those initial steps.
What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?
The hardest part was writing the scenes with multiple characters. I’m not just talking about three or four— I mean way more than that. The show at the community center featured the Hound Dogs, The Dice and their girlfriends!
This scene is the climax of the book, so I had to convey what each person was experiencing while keeping up with the action. It was an epic scene to be sure, but I am happy with the way it turned out. From the positive feedback I have received, I apparently did a great job.
Would you and your main character get along?
I think so. He’s strong, confident, and doesn’t care much about what others think. He’s a free spirit who does what he wants, when he wants. Beneath that tough exterior, he has a big heart and always looks out for those who are treated unfairly. His tough attitude is mostly a way to protect himself from getting hurt.
He values people who are genuine, not those who pretend to be something they’re not, and he has a great sense of humor that makes him fun to be around.
There are definitely parts of me in him, though I wish I had his confidence and resilience. I think we’d get along well—I’d let him be himself, and I know he’d let me be me.
Rebecca Hendricks is a writer, researcher, and explorer with a penchant for 1950s pop culture and the societal impact of rock and roll. Her acclaimed “Hound Dogged” series, which includes “Hound Dogged” and “Hard Dog’s Night,” transports readers to the tumultuous 1950s, capturing the essence of a coming-of-age historical fiction against a backdrop of societal upheaval and musical revolution.
Though Rebecca has built a career as an accountant and judicial assistant, her true passion lies in writing. From a young age, she was captivated by the power of storytelling, often found crafting tales on her father’s antique typewriter. This early dedication blossomed into a successful writing career, allowing her to create vibrant and engaging stories with a captivating sense of time and place. Rebecca’s work is a testament to her ability to blend meticulous historical research with compelling characters, plots and settings.
An experienced urban explorer, Rebecca investigates forgotten places, abandoned buildings, and derelict sites. A Colorado native, she lives with her husband and their two fur-babies. In her spare time, she enjoys camping adventures with her family and restoring old dolls, giving them new life with her creative touch. Explore with Rebecca Hendricks on her website.