A Visit with Krysten Lindsey Hager

Today I welcome YA authorr Krysten Lindsay Hager to Jubilee Writer. I always enjoy learning about authors, their projects and what makes them tick. Let’s begin, Krysten what’s your latest published project.

Can Dreams Come True is my latest young adult novel. It’s about a girl named Cecily who has always had a huge crush on singer Andrew Holiday. She wants to be an actress, so she tags along when her friend auditions for his new video. However, the director isn’t looking for an actress, but rather the girl next door—and so is Andrew. Cecily gets a part in the video and all of Andrew’s attention on the set. Her friend begins to see red and Cecily’s boyfriend is seeing green—as in major jealousy. A misunderstanding leaves Cecily and her boyfriend on the outs and Andrew hopes to pick up the pieces as he’s looking for someone more stable in his life than the models he’s dated. Soon Cecily begins to realize Andrew understands her more than her small-town boyfriend—but can her perfect love match really be her favorite rock star?

Sounds like sonething many young adults dream about. How did you research for your book?

I read a lot of biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs of singers and watched a lot of music documentaries and biographies as well. I decided to use singers from different decades for a wider range of material. Some of the singers I included were: Ed Sheeran, Elvis, Justin Bieber, Whitney Houston, Katy Perry, Marvin Gaye, George Michael, Andy Gibb—and several others. I ended up walking away with a different picture of what it’s really like to be a performer.

Researching real celebrities lives for deeper background is a great idea. Interesting.

What inspired you to write your book?

I used my own celebrity crushes to create a “what if” moment and to see what the mindset would be for a girl who was put in that position to date her ultimate crush while being a normal girl next door. I wanted to explore that relationship and compare it to the high school relationship she had been in.

It is obvious you are still in touch with the younger version of yourself.

When did you realize your calling to create words on paper to share with the world?

I always knew I wanted to be a writer, but it wasn’t until college that I knew it was my calling for sure. I read a biography of Paula Danziger and I could really relate to why she wanted to write for teens.

If you could go back in time and give one piece of advice for your younger self about writing what would that be?

I would tell myself the importance of enjoying the writing process and not to focus just on getting published. I think too often writers put this insane pressure on themselves to get a book published. Put the focus on the writing.

Excellent advice. Now tell us who is your best support system to keep you focused on your writing?

Having friends who enjoy the books helps so much. I had a friend who was messaging me how much she loved Dating the It Guy and then when I’d respond she’d tell me to leave her alone so she could get back to reading! That helps a lot to know people are enjoying the work. My best friend encouraged me to keep going with Can Dreams Come True when I stopped for a bit after my pop star crush passed away unexpectedly. That helps a lot.

What is your favorite genre to read for fun?

I love biographies/autobiographies and YA books.

Where is your favorite place to write?

I write in my office. I was a military wife moving around for years, so having a place to settle down and actually have my books unpacked and on the shelf is sooo inspiring.

Thanks so much for stopping by Krysten, thanks for sharing links so my readers can contact you and buy your books.

Biography: Krysten Lindsay Hager writes about friendship, self-esteem, fitting in, frenemies, crushes, fame, first loves, and values. She is the author of True Colors, Best Friends…Forever?, Next Door to a Star, Landry in Like, Competing with the Star, Dating the It Guy, and Can Dreams Come True? True Colors, won the Readers Favorite award for best preteen book and the Dayton Book Expo Bestseller Award for childen/teens. Competing with the Star is a Readers’ Favorite Book Award Finalist. Krysten’s work has been featured in USA Today, The Flint Journal, the Grand Haven Tribune, the Beavercreek Current, the Bellbrook Times, Springfield News-Sun, Grand Blanc View, Dayton Daily News, and on the talk show Living Dayton.

WEBSITE: http://www.krystenlindsay.com/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/krystenlindsay/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/KrystenLindsay

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/KrystenLindsayHagerAuthor

PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/krystenlindsay/

Buy links:

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079S3KJSH

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B079S3KJSH

Amazon IN: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B079S3KJSH

Amazon Germany: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B079S3KJSH

Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B079S3KJSH

Amazon AUS: https://www.amazon.com.au/Dreams-Come-True-Cecily-Taylor-ebook/dp/B079S3KJSH