About C.M. Huddleston:
Connie M. Huddleston loved history and dreamed of writing a book even as a child. However, she got sidetracked. She became an Army wife, a mother, an elementary school teacher, an archaeologist, and an historic preservation consultant, before publishing her first book! In 2017, she published her ninth and tenth volumes, all dealing with her first love, our nation’s past. While four are written for children under the name C.M. Huddleston, her other works are histories for adults on a variety of subjects. Currently she is researching and writing about President Theodore Roosevelt’s ancestors.
Connie resides in a log cabin near Crab Orchard, Kentucky, with her husband and their Australian Shepherd Katie. They all enjoy the quiet of rural Kentucky. Except when Katie barks at deer, turkeys, and of course, the UPS truck!
What inspires you to write?
I enjoy telling others about my love of history, in particular American history. Being a former teacher, archaeologist, and historic preservation consultant, I like to share what I have learned during my professional career. What better way to do this than to create stories where my characters interact with history.
Tell us about your writing process.
I work at writing like a full-time job. I go upstairs to my office five days a week and work at writing and marketing for 8 to 9 hours. I need this schedule and organization. However, I read and research in the evenings. I always have an idea of where my characters are going before I begin writing. I don't outline anymore because my books never ended up like my outline. Now I just sit and write. I often work out plot lines while driving or cooking. I have just begun using Scrivener, but often work in Word Perfect, as I despise Word.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Yes, in a way, I talk to my characters. Greg, the title character in my series, is based on my two grandsons. So talking with them keeps my conversations real. I also learn what is important to them and can use that for Greg.
What advice would you give other writers?
I have made more than a few mistakes. The most important thing I have learned is to find an excellent editor and copyreader. Also, use first readers to get feedback about where your story needs to go and other things they see that you don't.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I am both traditionally and self-published. I have three histories with traditional presses but all my fiction books are self-published. I have had bad experiences with traditional publishers and decided to go the Indie route instead. I have never looked back.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think the big traditional publishers will survive, but their way of dealing with authors will have to change. I believe self-publishing will continue to grow.
What do you use?: Co-writer, Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?: middle-grade fiction, historical fiction, American history
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
C.M. Huddleston Home Page Link
Link To C.M. Huddleston Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
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