Today’s special guest is historical fiction author Marina Hill. We’re chatting about her new novel, Little Writer.
During her virtual book tour, Marina will be giving away a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!
Bio:
Marina Hill is a writer with a keen interest in all things undiscovered. She grew up in the New Jersey side of Philadelphia, watching Eagles games and roughhousing with her plethora of older brothers. She attended Baruch College in NYC and has over a dozen publications of her other works. If she isn’t daydreaming about her next story, she’s studying history or yearning to dash into the forest, build a farm, and never look back. Marina never lives in one spot for too long and loves to travel with her dog.
Welcome, Marina. Please tell us about your current release.
Little Writer is a YA historical fiction that’s a retelling of the classic novel Little Women! The story is through a single perspective: Jo March. Readers jump into the mind of this beloved character as she navigates sisterhood, friendship, and her dreams of being a writer. Little Writer is a perfect comfort read with a multiracial cast of characters, reimagining history to include diverse communities without elaboration.
What inspired you to write this book?
Ever since I was a teen, I’ve loved reading historical fiction. It’s my favorite genre, but I rarely found well written representation of people of color! It was so disheartening as a sixteen-year-old girl with anxiety who often found peace in books. When I read Little Women for the first time, it had all of the comfort I was longing for and I wanted to explore different perspectives of this single story. I wrote this book for sixteen-year-old Marina who just wanted to feel seen and adored exactly the way she is.
Excerpt from Little Writer:
My stomach twists. I hate the idea of him leaving me alone—of him never irting or calling me pretty or making me feel special. A groan escapes my lips and I cover my face. “It’s horrible, isn’t it? I’m horrible.”
Meg places an elbow on the bed and a hand on my shoulder. “You’re not horrible, Jo. We’re girls. We like being doted on.” I watch her tilt her head with a quizzical look. “But you don’t want to dote back? Send him something? Make him smile?”
I hesitate, searching my mind and heart for that desire, but I come up with nothing. “Not… not really. Well, not in a sentimental, romantic way.”
She glances away in thought. “Okay, what do you want to happen?” She shakes her head. “Ignore what’s right and wrong. Just what your heart wants.”
“I don’t want him, but I also don’t want him to want anyone else…” I sigh. “I want to be loved, but I don’t want to love. I… can’t.”
“Everyone can love,” Meg says in a soft voice.
I shake my head. “Not in that way. I’ve tried, Gigi. I’ve tried to… love Teddy in the way everyone wants me to, but… I don’t think I can.” Tears prick my eyes. “And if I can’t love a boy who gives me everything, then how can I love at all?”
What exciting story are you working on next?
I’m taking a little bit of a break from simple stories like Little Writer. I plan to write four books, each from the perspective of a different sister. While I am slowly developing Meg’s story, I’m focusing on some swashbuckling stories! I’m drafting a story about a girl who’s a dragon whisperer; it’s very much a story I can see Jo writing.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve been a writer my entire life, but I started taking my work a lot more seriously when I was first published at sixteen.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
As of right now, no! I don’t want to write full-time for at least another decade. Working different jobs and exploring various careers give me a better understanding of the world I want to write about. I’m also a teacher and an artist. I don’t necessarily “find” the time to write. Rather, I make the time. That means laundry isn’t done, the dishes will have to wait another day, and I have random pockets of time where I write many pages in a notebook while I’m out and about.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Playlists are everything to me. All of my books need a playlist with at least 100 songs—but I don’t listen to it when I write. While writing, I mostly listen to ambience videos and my playlists are for brainstorming and getting familiar with my characters.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Like every child, I circled through various careers like veterinarian, dentist, surgeon, teacher, even a rock scientist (which I’m not even sure is a thing). But I always came back to being a writer.
Links:
Website | Barnes and Noble | Goodreads | Instagram | Kobo | Apple Books | Amazon
Thanks for hosting!
Thanks for sharing this interview so we could get to know Marina more.
Sounds like a good book.
Thank you for hosting!!!