Book One: Harlem Angel
Book Two: Conductor
Q1. Hello Sir, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
Hello! I am Brenda Hardwick. I’ve been writing since about the age of ten beginning with poetry. I even had a few works published back in the day! Today I write fantasy and Body Mind Spirit transformational books. Being a full-time writer was always a dream, and I’ve made it as close as I can. I am an Angel Communicator, Energy Healer, Speaker, and Grandma to beautiful twins who will turn two next month. These are the things that fill my days, and writing is woven among them every day.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Harlem Angel’ book?
The key challenges I dealt with while writing Harlem Angel, which is the first book in my series, was getting the writing done. Harlem Angel took me 25 years to get it completed and into print. I wrote the first three chapters in 1993 and won second place in the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold writing contest. The editor who read and was the final judge, asked me to sent it to her when I finished the manuscript. I did send it to her, but I’m very sure she never expected that it would take me 25 years to finish it! I received a very nice rejection letter from her, and a few others, and then decided to self-publish it.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
There are many books and authors who have influenced my writing. The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings are the books that started me reading fantasy. Octavia Butler and Toni Morrison were also favorites along with Anne McCafferey.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
My favorite spot to visit… whoa that’s not easy! The mountains here in Colorado are certainly a favorite. Estes Park, Idaho Springs, Glenwood Springs, Buena Vista; these are place I go to sit with and listen to Mother Earth, soak in natural minerals from the springs, and allow my mind to clear and wander. I also enjoy visiting the ocean in California, Morro Bay is probably my favorite spot because it’s near the redwoods and the beach is amazing to get lost in the waves and the sound of the ocean.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
I am what is called a “Pantser”. I write by the seat of my pants. I don’t do an outline, and I write by way of my characters speaking to me. They tell me what’s going to happen, how the story is going to begin or end and I fill in the words. My preparation during a work in progress is to read the last paragraph I wrote. Sometimes I will go back to a previous chapter to make sure I’ve got the gist of what is happening before I start writing. I get ideas for new works from everywhere. It could be something somebody says or something I see happen that has story possibilities. When that happens I use sticky notes to keep track of them.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Conductor’ book?
Writing The Conductor took about 14 months, including the edits. I am able to concentrate on writing more often, and actually have writing scheduled on my calendar. This book really took off just as I finished Harlem Angel, so it was an easy transition. I’m working on book three right now, and it’s been a bit more of a struggle because it is ending the trilogy, and that’s not easy.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find your books to buy?
My books are all available on Amazon. I plan to expand to Smashwords and Ingram Spark by the end of this year. Readers can also go to my website, https://www.brendahardwickauthor.com and purchase autographed copies there. The e-books are only on Amazon for the moment and I’m hoping to add audio books soon.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the cover and the title of your books?
The title is from a phrase in the dialogue between two of the characters in the book. Each of the books in the series touches on a point in African American History that is woven into the magic and fiction of the story. The cover for The Conductor was a collaborative effort. After finding and choosing my cover artist, I sent her the pages from the book where “The Conductor” is used, and gave her my vision of what I wanted on the cover. It is all from the same scene. She took what I asked for and gave me what I wanted, and then gave me her interpretation. She nailed it with her interpretation. The young lady on the cover (a model) is Josie, the apprentice in the Glory Shop, which is one of the focal points of the story. After a few tweaks and explanations of what I was describing in the story, we had it almost ready. My son suggested that we use the cover of Harlem Angel, which is made from the cloth used in the stories to communicate with the other shop owners, as her dress. The symbols on the wall behind her are from the other shops named in this story.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
This is all my characters doing. They tell me what is happening and I put it into words. There are times when I finish writing a chapter or section and even I’m surprised by where it went! It amazes me that I began this trilogy over 25 years ago and the foundation of the story, which has to do with racism, is still such a current theme in our lives. The subtle connections to current affairs has been serendipitous. For example, I had no idea how close Kinloch, Missouri was to Ferguson until I looked it up on a map.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the books (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
Oooo, secrets? Well, let’s see. In The Conductor, Ray and Madeline are more important than you think. Shawn really is oblivious to anything outside of his own desires. Soraya finds her own apprentice. I think that’s probably enough teasers!
Books are Available On Amazon
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