Ask the Author - Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill

Discuss the January 2016 book of the month For the Love of Suzanne by Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill.
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Ask the Author - Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill

Post by gali »

The author is a member of our site. What would you ask Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill? :)
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Post by bookowlie »

I am always interested in the author's inspiration behind a story. Was it your main focus to tell a story about a woman's broken spirit (from a bad marriage) and then the slow healing through a romantic, although dangerous, adventure? Or...did you mainly want to write a time travel romance with a Native American backdrop, and then fit in Suzanne's backstory as an added detail?
"The best way out is always through" - Robert Frost
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Post by khudecek »

That's a great question.

I've always loved a good romance and my favorites have been between Native American men and White women. I read a lot of books by Madeline Baker, who writes that genre. I love time travels and wanted to see if I could write one, too.

Suzanne was inspired by my mother, who was a battered wife. My parents divorced when I was around eight years old and our lives changed dramatically for the better. I have to say that I never saw my father put his hands on her but I heard all about it from my older siblings and her sister. I heard it from her, too.

I went into the "what if...?" mindset. What if my mother had met someone who showed her some kindness and had helped her through the adversities? What if a man like Cody had come to her aid, even if he had issues of his own? Would they have turned away from each other or stick it out?

I developed the characters together with the intent of a "happily-ever-after" ending. I was hoping to portray their different worlds, lives and the strength of the human spirit to withstand just about anything, even in such unusual circumstances. I do believe love conquers all. Suzanne and Cody are a testament to that.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference
.

~~
"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost
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Post by bookowlie »

How interesting! The Native American tie-in certainly was a standout with the time travel theme. I am sorry to hear about your mother's past situation, but she took steps to get out of it.
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Post by khudecek »

It was actually his idea to get out but he did us a favor. She struggled and worked hard and I'd say she did pretty well. She passed away in 2009 and I hope she knows how proud I was/am of her. It took a lot of guts to do what she did.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference
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Post by gali »

Thank you for sharing. Well done to your mother! I am sorry to hear about your past situation and your loss.
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Post by khudecek »

Thank you.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference
.

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"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost
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Post by bookowlie »

khudecek wrote:It was actually his idea to get out but he did us a favor. She struggled and worked hard and I'd say she did pretty well. She passed away in 2009 and I hope she knows how proud I was/am of her. It took a lot of guts to do what she did.
I am so sorry for your loss. In a way, the book is a tribute to her.
"The best way out is always through" - Robert Frost
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Post by KristinaS »

How long you were working on this book?
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Post by khudecek »

It's hard to pinpoint an exact time with it. Let me tell you why.

I wrote this book in 1996. I did some editing on it and shelved it. I don't really know why. I got married in 2001, moved to Kansas, had a couple of kids...you know, did the "life" thing.

Fast forward to 2015. My son and I are going through some boxes a year and a half after moving into this house and he pulled out a pile of paper bound in a rubber band.

He looked at it and said, "Hey, Mom. What's this?"
I looked at it and my jaw dropped. "It's a manuscript! Wow!"

I have to confess that I don't remember writing it. As I read it, nothing seemed familiar but I knew I'd written it because I'm the only writer in the family. I didn't remember Cody or Suzanne. I didn't remember anything about it.

I knew it had to be put on my computer, like the rest of my novels and short stories so I started retyping it.

As I retyped it, I added some things, took some things away, renamed it, added a little spice to it, changed the ending and was ready to put it back in the closet. It didn't get that far.

I think the time it took to retype it was maybe a month or so. Editing took much longer. Weeks. Editing always takes longer. Writing the first draft is always the easiest part and the most fun. Editing is a grueling but necessary process. I edited it three times before I submitted it to Scott for his edits. Then it was back and forth for awhile.

I signed my contract on May 24 (keep in mind, the story was already written) and the release day was October 26, 2015.

Thank you for your question. I hope I answered it for you. :)
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference
.

~~
"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost
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Post by falloutlunartic »

How do you decide what details to keep in a story and what details to take out?
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Post by bookowlie »

What an interesting tale of the long and winding route from the initial manuscript to publication. That's funny that you didn't remember writing it! Truth is stranger than fiction. :)
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Post by KristinaS »

:shock: Wau I didn’t expect something like that, thank you for amazing answer :)
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Post by Chels14 »

That is very unwxpected. Is think that's awesome that you decided to finish what you started! What a great surprise to find!
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Post by gali »

Great answers!

Will there be a sequel at some point?
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