HINBEST BOOKS

Interview with Wendy Hinbest

 

What is your book about?

 

Masquerade of Lies is about a seventeen year old girl named Hanna Clark who wants nothing more than to leave her ugly past behind, so she moves to Willowdale, California with her mother for a fresh start. Things get bad for her when a girl from school is found dead and she’s the number one suspect. While trying to vindicate herself she becomes friends with the most popular girl in school, Claire Miller, and falls for her boyfriend, Josh Banks. Suddenly, things fall into place and Hanna learns that nothing is ever what it seems.

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When and why did you begin writing?

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I started writing shortly after I had our second daughter in 2009 because I wanted to stay home with our children instead of going back to work. I figured maybe I can generate some income, but that’s not the only reason I started writing. I graduated from the Early Childhood Education program and have taught young children. I have read a lot of children’s books, so I decided to write the Frizzy Tizzy Series. I realized how much I enjoy writing.

 

How did you come up with the title?

 

In the book the main character, Hanna Clark, lies to keep her past hidden and other characters in the book lie to protect themselves. Hanna finds out that things aren’t always what they seem. She meets people who are masquerading around as something they’re not, so I came up with Masquerade of Lies.

 

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

 

Sara Shepard. I think she’s an amazing writer. I’m a big fan of Pretty Little Liars and I loved The Lying Game series.

 

What are your current projects?

 

I’m currently working on my second young adult novel Sin of Darkness.

 

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

 

Making sure everything in the story lines up.

 

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

 

I learned that editing is very important. I got a beta reader to read my book and she made a lot of great suggestions. I also received a lot of feedback from a publisher and I think my book is so much better than it was originally because of all the reworking I did.

 

What other interests do you have?

 

I enjoy watching television. I’m really into the Real Housewives shows and a few others, such as Pretty Little Liars, Greys Anatomy and the Chicago shows (Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med). I also enjoy watching movies with my husband, spending time with our five children, reading, going to church, social networking and exercising.

 

Is there a message in your novel that you hope readers will grasp?

 

Don’t believe everything people tell you and don’t be too trusting all the time. Also, if you’re in trouble or going through something talk to your parents or somebody you trust.

 

Who is your intended audience?

 

Teenagers between the ages of fourteen and nineteen and adults.

 

How did you get interested in writing this particular genre?

 

One of my favourite shows growing up was Degrassi Junior High. The majority of television shows and movies I watch are centred around young adult and I love to read young adult books, so it makes sense for me to write this genre.

 

How long did it take you to write this book?

 

It took me about two years to write this book. I had three children at the time and it was my first time writing a novel.

 

Do you have any advice for writers?

 

No matter how hard it may seem, don’t give up. When you finish the first draft get other people to read it because they’ll probably find errors that you missed.

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