Let's welcome T. A. Hernandez! Tell us a little about yourself.
I’ve always loved a good story,
whether it comes from a book, movie, television show, video game, or anything
else you can think of. I dabbled in writing stories a little bit as a kid, but
when I was fourteen, my family moved from southern California to a rural town
in Idaho, and writing became a sort of escape for me. I began to take it more
seriously and actively looking for ways to improve. It wasn’t always easy, but
it was always something I was passionate about—something that eventually became
a part of me. I still have a lot to learn, but I think that’s the great part
about writing. You’re always learning something, always growing, and that’s
exciting. Aside from being a writer, I’m also a mother, an artist, and a
college student majoring in social work.
You sound busy. Will you share a short excerpt from your novel with us?
Zira pretended not to notice the way Jared’s hands shook so much
he couldn’t even get the key into the ignition. He dropped it on the floor and
slammed his hand against the steering wheel, cursing. Zira focused on the
branches of a tree outside, but she could see him in her peripherals, hunched
over with his head bowed as he rubbed his hands over his coarse, black hair.
“I’m sorry,” Zira said. “About your team and…what he did to you.”
“I don’t need your pity,” Jared growled.
“I know. I don’t pity you.”
He sighed and sat up. “Yeah, well, it’s over now.”
“Are you relieved? That they’re dead?”
Jared met her gaze, and Zira was caught off guard by how much pain
she saw in his eyes. She hadn’t noticed it before, or maybe he’d just done a
good job of hiding it until now. “I wouldn’t say that I’m relieved. But I do
feel better somehow—safer—knowing they’re gone.” He took Zira’s hand, an
unexpected gesture that made her flinch. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“I’ve been dreading this since we first saw Li in that diner. It
was easier knowing I wasn’t going into it alone.”
“Anyone could have done that.”
“Maybe. But it was you who put me at ease all week and gave me
something else to think about.”
“I didn’t—”
Jared shook his head and gave her a small smile. “It’s just a
‘thank you,’ Zira. You don’t need to get defensive about it.”
“All right,” she muttered. “You’re welcome.”
What brought
about the idea for this book?
The idea for Secrets of
PEACE came from a few different places, and it’s hard for me to identify
any one thing or even a series of things that gave me the idea. The characters
came first, or at least the main protagonist did. I had been through some
difficult personal issues in the two years before I started writing the book,
and I think I just wanted to write a character who was strong and resilient in
spite of having the odds stacked against her. I had also just finished playing
the first Assassin’s Creed game, and I was intrigued by the
idea of murder being used as a tool for peace. That idea formed the foundation
for the plot, and the story evolved from there. It changed a lot along the way,
and it took five years to really get it right, but I’m satisfied with the way
it turned out.
Tell us a little bit about your main characters
Secrets of PEACE has two protagonists,
both of whom are assassins working for the authoritarian government in a future
America. Zira is the primary protagonist. At eighteen years old, she’s
inexperienced and a bit reckless, but hardworking and determined to prove
herself. She doesn’t trust people easily, and her abrasive personality can be a
fun challenge to write. Jared is the other protagonist of the series. He’s a
couple years older than Zira, fiercely dedicated to his job, and the best
assassin in their unit. He’s skilled and tough, but he definitely has a softer
side that he isn’t afraid to show to the people he trusts. Chairman Ryku is
another major character in the story and serves as a mentor to both Zira and
Jared.
They sound like interesting characters. What was your favorite scene to write?
It’s so hard to pick just one, but I’m going to have to choose the
scene at the end of the first act of the story in chapter 11. It’s an intense
scene, and things take a definite turn for the worst for Zira. But that’s
really what starts her personal journey of self-discovery and
self-determination, which continues throughout the rest of the series. The
scene also introduces a character who has become one of my favorites to write (and
seems to be a favorite among readers as well), so that’s exciting.
Currently, what are you working on?
There are three planned books in the Secrets of PEACE series. The second one,
Renegades of PEACE, came out in July 2017,
and I’m currently working on the third book, Survivors of PEACE. It was kind of a surprise novel. I had
originally planned to end the series with Renegades,
but then somewhere during the revision process, the characters began insisting
that there was more of the story to tell. Ever their obedient servant, I of
course gave in to their demands.
What has been the best compliment you have received?
Anytime someone compliments me on my
characters, I’m beyond thrilled. It’s great to see when they come to life for readers
the way they do for me. I had one reader in particular who mentioned the
complex character relationships and relatable human emotions as a highlight of
the book, and that was probably the best compliment I’ve ever received about
anything I’ve written.
That's great. It's always nice to know people enjoy something you put your heart and soul into. Do you have people read your drafts before you
publish? How do you select beta readers?
Oh yes, I definitely have people read my drafts before I publish.
Several times. It’s a key part of my writing process, and I wouldn’t be half
the writer I am today without the feedback I’ve received from beta readers and
critique partners along the way. I have two betas who read for me regularly and
whose input I value and respect tremendously. One is my critique partner and
fellow indie author, EJ Fisch, who writes amazing science fiction novels with
complex characters and fast-paced plots. The other is my best friend, who reads
way more than anyone else I know and is great at spotting big-picture issues
like poor characterization, pacing, and plot holes. Aside from that, I usually
try to do beta reading swaps with other writers. I find most of them through
Goodreads and social media. I prefer to use people who write in the same genre
I do, or as close to it as possible.
Who designed the artwork for your cover? Or did you
design it yourself?
Being an artist as well as an independent author definitely has
its advantages. I designed the covers for all of my books myself. It’s fun, and
sometimes it serves as a nice motivation to keep me going when I’m halfway
through the writing process and feel stuck. I can whip up a cover and remind
myself that someday, I’ll be holding that book in my hands, and all the crap I
had to go through to get the dang thing finished will have been worth it.
How do you handle criticism when it comes to your writing?
This has probably been said time and
time again, but it’s important, so I’ll say it anyways. You can’t take
criticism personally. Sometimes that’s hard, especially when someone criticizes
something you were really proud of or thought was nearly perfect. And if you
need to take a minute to scream into a pillow or drown your sorrows in a
chocolate milkshake, that’s fine. But don’t wallow. It’s not about you. It’s
about making the story the best you can possibly make it. At some point, you
just have to pick yourself up, take a step back, and try to look at the story
objectively so you can fix what’s wrong with it. Not all criticism you receive
will be helpful, but if you can put your own personal feelings aside, you’ll be
able to sort out the useful stuff from the nonsense and do what works best for
your story.
Great Advice, any last words?
Thanks so much for the interview! I always love talking
about writing with readers and fellow authors, so if you ever want to reach
out, please don’t hesitate to contact me through my website or social media.
Find out more about the Secrets of Peace Series. Happy Reading!!
Secrets of
PEACE: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J24PNUQ
Renegades of
PEACE: https://www.amazon.com/Renegades-PEACE-Secrets-Book-ebook/dp/B073W3ZPP1/
Website: https://www.tahernandez.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ta_hernandez5
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tahernandez05
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