Welcome Lindy Hudis!
Today I’m welcoming debut novelist Lindy Hudis! She’s the author of Weekends, which has gotten some awesome reviews; she’s also a screenwriter and filmmaker, and working on novel number two City of Toys, which is based on her own life as an actress in Hollywood. So if have any burning questions for Lindy, like ‘What’s it like to offer the services of your husband for romance novel covers right on your website??‘ (Check it out!), then ask away!
My questions are below, with her answers.
1. What advice, as a screenwriter, can you offer a novelist?
Well, when you are writing a screenplay, you have all kinds of other factors that play in: how much will this scene cost? How long will it take to shoot? That kind of thing. With a novel, you can let your imagination run wild, so to speak. You can have your characters do just about anything, and not have to worry about going over the budget, lol. I do enjoy writing both.
2. What made you decide to branch out from screenplays to novels?
I just love to tell stories, and I do write both. However, I started out writing screenplays. I had written the screenplay to my mystery novel CRASHERS back in 1997, and I was told that if I wrote the novel version, then that may be a way to get my foot in the door. I love the freedom that comes with writing a novel. However, then somebody will want the screenplay, so you are back to square one, lol.
3. What is your writing process? Are you a plotter/pantser? Do you do outlines/index cards? Do you write sequentially or do you go where the story takes you?
My stories are very character driven, so I let them take me on the journey. I don’t use outlines or index cards, bad memories of high school term papers, hehe. I try to get into the mind of my characters, just like I used to do when I was an actress. I almost use method acting when I am writing a story. I think “what would my character do now?” and I let them tell me the story. I just type it out.
4. How do you balance your writing with the rest of your life?
Well, I am the mother of a 4 1/2 year old and a 3 month old. It is hard to write and feed a baby at the same time, but I manage to do so. My husband works in the movie business (he is a stuntman) and I am running the house all by myself when he is working. I just take a deep breath and do my best. I write when my preschooler is at school and when the baby is sleeping. It is hard, but I think it is more challenging and fun than anything else. I am a Virgo after all… we love a good challenge!