Literary Circles: Blogger Interview with Hope Roberson!

Today I’m talking with Hope Roberson of Writing with Hope and Falling for Fiction. Hope is the mastermind behind the recent “Hookers and Hangers” Blogfest. She also co-hosted the bloghop “Is It Getting Hot in Here?” in February. On Falling for Fiction, Hope gives stellar interviews and book recs. On her own blog, she often discusses her own writing journey - both the humorous moments like her post “Squirrel” and vulnerable ones like her post “Revealing.” (It’s impossible to read her Squirrel post without laughing…and relating!) In addition to blogging and writing, Hope is a teacher and mom of two (one boy, one girl) who lives with her hubby in Washington. Stop by and check out her blogs!

Hope, can you tell us a little about the concepts behind your two blogs and what inspired them?
I started blogging last October after I finished writing My Protector and needed direction on the next steps toward publishing (ha ha). I had no idea what I was doing. I mostly researched things to help my writing (thus my writing links page and Best of the Best posts) and then joined in a few blog hops and IWSG, both helping guide my posts. 

Over on Falling For Fiction, we have a weekly schedule for posting different (hopefully) uplifting and helpful posts, so that one is a lot easier to know what to write about. J A lot of times, when I’m reading other people’s blogs or writing, ideas hit so I have a bunch of saved partial posts that I go to as a back up.

I love what you’ve written for your profile: “Trying to balance a family, a teaching job, writing, and my sanity.” You also describe a typical day of a mom/blogger/writer your “Squirrel” post (which if you haven’t noticed yet is one of my favorites). What’s your secret to balancing it all and maintaining your sanity?
I should change that, I’m beyond insane. J Some days are better than others where I can do a little bit of everything and accomplish a goal or two, but most of the time, I just run around like a chicken with my head cut off. I’m sort of spurtish, so I need to stay as organized as possible (I have an affinity for sticky notes). And if my goal for the day is to write, that’s all I let myself do. I can’t read or blog, because I need to keep myself from going online. Once I’m there, it’s trouble cause I’ll enter the blogosphere to find what everyone is up to and then someone will have this great link to a contest or a bloghop and then that person has a fantastic list for editing and then it’s lunch time and I need to get my son’s uniform washed and then I’m checking my email super quick and now I’ve squirreled again!

Hope - I feel like you've just described my typical day. I have no idea what I'd do without post-its! J

I read that you and your Falling for Fiction cohosts are all critique partners. How did you meet each other?
The great Cassie Mae! J I met her in my first writing contest last November and then she posted about wanting critique partners. I didn’t have any and was super nervous to volunteer since I had no idea what I was doing and she graciously accepted. A couple months later, another of her cps needed more readers so Cassie hooked us up. Then again, a couple months later Cassie connected her four cps in an email and craziness ensued. Somewhere in an email thread (probably titled Nutroll or Holy Poo) one of us threw out the idea of doing a group blog and FFF was a done deal. These girls are so much fun! And invaluable cps, brilliant writers, the best support, and all around fabulous friends.

As I briefly mentioned in your intro, you show a lot of versatility among your posts. How do you keep your posts fresh and engaging?
I think the more you reveal about yourself as a person and a writer, the more people respond because we’re all here to help and support each other. If there’s humor in there, it helps. If it’s short, that helps too. J Also, becoming part of IWSG has connected me new bloggers and gives me support/ideas from people I already blog with. Bloghops are great too.

Bloghops like Hookers and Hangers? I thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone's posts for this bloghop! Talk about engaging!

What lessons have you learned from blogging? Good, bad and/or ugly?
That I’m a slower reader than I thought. I can only visit maybe ten people’s blogs and I’ve spent half my morning in the blogosphere, which is fun, but I’m learning I can only blog certain days of the week. Otherwise I’d only blog and never write or be a mom or any of that other important stuff. And I’m not great at pithy/witty comments so often times I read a post and go to respond, scrolling through the funny and interesting replies of others, and sit there staring at the little box not knowing what to say. The best lesson I’m learning is always visit the blogs of people who comment on mine. That’s my current blogging goal. Oh, and I have a smiley face addiction, having to go back and delete more than half. (I’ve already deleted 6 from my answers) J J J J J

Ha! I get so jealous of bloggers who are witty every time they comment! 

What is one of your favorite blogs? What makes it one of your favorites?
That's a hard one! Can I say Falling For Fiction? J Really, it depends on the day, depends on my mood. Most of the time, I try to get through my list of 25 favorites on my blog’s sidebar, but often times I’ll end up jumping somewhere from another blogger’s post. I’m all over the map and just like to read what everyone has to say.

Can you talk a little bit about a current project you are either promoting or working on?
I started a new WiP, Birds of a Feather, three weeks ago and am insanely lost in Pigeon’s world. She’s a potty mouth teenager sent to a school for troubled kids after she overdosed in an attempt to get her parents’ attention once her sister died. I don’t quite know how to pitch it yet, guess I need to work on that. I’ve written 30,000 words in three weeks and find it incredibly hard to stop. My kids tell me I need to be grounded from the computer J

Ha! I love that your kids have tried to ground you. J After reading some of your recent Hookers and Hangers, I'm already in love with Pigeon's stand out voice!

Thank you so much for stopping by Hope! It was an absolute pleasure getting to know you better! I look forward to following your writing journey and hearing more about Pigeon!