Guest Post: Heather Hummel and Giveaway

Today I have the pleasure of having Heather Hummel here as part of the blog tour for her newest book, Write From the Heart. In October, I was part of the blog tour for another one of her book, Whispers From the Heart. You can read my thoughts here. I am so excited to have her back and to have had a chance to read her latest book.

In October, Heather talked about the voices in her head and about how she writes. This time, I asked her some questions about this series that she has been writing. Thanks for stopping by, Heather!

Tell us how the idea for this series came to be. Did you know it was going to be a 3 book series? 

The Journals from the Heart series was unintentional at first. I incorporated, as the name indicates, journal writing in both novels, but they were originally titled Through Hazel Eyes and The Universe Is My Sugar Daddy…neither of these titles connected, but the common theme was journal writing. So, after the second book was released and I started noticing how well people with series were doing, I consulted a publishing guru who suggested I retitle and recover the books - an exterior makeover! From my consultation with her, Journals from the Heart was born and Through Hazel Eyes became Whispers from the Heart and The Universe is My Sugar Daddy became Write from the Heart. I love the new series, titles and cover. They much more represent my theme. It goes to show that consulting with a professional, or at least someone with a different perspective who’s in the industry, can make a big difference. Since then, the series is taking off.

I always knew I wanted to write one more novel with journal writing as the theme. The first, Whispers from the Heart, is from a teacher/student perspective; the second, Write from the Heart, is from the perspective of a woman reinventing her life; now the third, Wisdom from the Heart, is from the perspective of a fourteen year old who finds out she’s adopted. It alternates between her as a teenager and as an adult. I’m really enjoying the characters and how they’re coming together in this third novel. 

When did that become apparent?

When I left my job as a high school English teacher six years ago to launch my writing career, I knew I’d be a writer for as long as I could or lived, whichever comes first! I knew I would write a lot of books, and expected I’d do a series. What I didn’t expect was that I’d be ghostwriting for people. I’m now done with that and am focusing back on my books only, which is a great place to be in.

And are there more stories that may make this more than 3 books? 

There are always characters showing up in my head to tell their story. Both Madison in Whispers from the Heart and Samantha in Write from the Heart showed up and told me their story, and now Jamie is here writing hers. I never know when they’ll show up, but when they do it’s a journey that can’t be stopped. (read more of Heather talking about 'the voices')

I also have two other books that are works in progress…one a novel titled $1 AND $100 where money is the protagonist, and another nonfiction book that blends my photography with my writing. The photography one is just starting to come together. I’ve won two awards for my books and four for my photography, so it’s only natural to do a book that combines both. These two books break away from the chick-lit genre, but I imagine I have a few more of those in me as well.

Thank you so much for having me as a guest! 

Heather Hummel is a "Photonovelist" who blends her love for photography with her award-winning career as an author. 

Her published works include:

Journals from the Heart Series:
Whispers from the Heart (2011)
Write from the Heart (2011)
Nonfiction
GO BIKE & Other Signs from the Universe (2011)
Gracefully: Looking and Being Your Best at Any Age (McGraw-Hill, 2008),
Essays:
Messages of Hope and Healing ( Sunpiper Media, 2006)
Blue Ridge Anthology (Cedar Creek, 2007) with David Baldacci and Rita Mae Brown
Awards:
2009 Mature Media Awards, Merit Award
2009 New York Book Festival, Honorable Mention

Heather's books have appeared in newspapers such as: Publishers Weekly, USA Today and the Washington Post; and in magazines that include: Health, Body & Soul, First, and Spry Living, a combined circulation of nearly 15 million. A graduate with High Distinction from the University of Virginia, Heather holds a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree with concentrations in English and Secondary Education. She is currently earning a Ph.D. in Metaphysical Sciences.

Visit Heather’s website
Like Heather’s Facebook Fan Page
Follow Heather on Twitter @HeatherHummel

**Everyone who leaves a comment on the tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! If you purchase your copy of Write from the Heart before March 19 and send your receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, you will get five bonus entries!**

I received a copy of this book for my honest opinion.