Exclusive Interview with
Hannah R. Goodman
When did you start writing?
As a plucky, imaginative 8-year-old, I told my 4th-grade teacher, Mrs. Walsh, that my future ambition was to be an author like Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary. Mrs. Walsh, although very surly and liked to knock down my over-confidence with remarks like “You are the second best reader in the class, not the first,” awarded me with a badge at the end of the year: “Ambition Is To Be An Author.” Not the Best Writer. No, my “award” was for my ambition. I was ambitious in my writing endeavors starting at age 9 with short stories about mischievous cats and bossy older sisters, two subjects of which I I had great knowledge!
What makes writing your passion?
Writing equals sanity to me. It helps me understand myself and the world around me (especially now). Writing is my art. It is how I am creative and where I can take ideas and make them realities.
How long have you been writing?
I started to write seriously in high school. What would become my first published novel was a project I started when I was 15. The first monetary award I received for my writing was my senior year of high school. The first time I saw my name in a by-line was in college. Not sure what counts, but if we go with age 15, I
ve been writing for 34 years!
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
Elation!
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
Up until my most recent book, every character I created was rooted in myself or someone in my immediate family or friend circle. I would take traits of these people and mix them all together and then create a character.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
Marketing (says every writer!).
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
I write through it. Even if what I write is bad. Who cares?
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
Trust yourself and take advice from other writers with a few grains of salt. This is a very personal and individual journey.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Good job! Keep going. You're on the right track. Trust yourself!
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
Yes. Bad reviews are still good because someone is still talking about your book!
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
Warm and happy inside!
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Always. Every single novel and short story has something from my own life.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
I think that the main character in my YA series is definitely similar to me. In fact, I made sure she physically is my opposite because otherwise, she is me at that age!
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
No but I'm probably wrong about that!
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I would love to connect more. It's one of my favorite parts of writing novels!
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
Awesome!
Who is your favorite author? Why?
Judy Blume is my favorite author as a whole. Not necessarily because I think she is the best writer but because she took risks in her career and refused to be pinned down into one genre.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
I don't need to be that "big". I just want people to read my novels and write me messages about how much they loved them!
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
Not yet.....
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
I like my life so, no thanks!
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
I'd say, "You're boring."
What would you say to your readers?
THANK YOU!!! Reach out to me on socials!
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I'm married with two kids and a huge, orange and white cat.
What is your day job if you have one?
I'm a psychotherapist.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
Walking, biking, traveling, reading
Did you have a happy childhood?
Sort of. Not entirely.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
Yes, being bullied in 4th grade made me want to escape into reading and then writing my own stories.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
I have quite a few. Most are middle grade and YA. I have one that is New Adult. I'd say all have romance elements but are very character driven.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
Reading. More books please and allow teachers to be creative when they teach.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
Enough money to travel whenever I want with my entire family.
A cure for all forms of cancer.
This country to be united again in democracy.
What is your favorite music?
Newer artists: Chappell Roan
Not so new artists: Everything from 80s/90s alternative to early 2000s R&B like Usher.
Share a secret with us 🙂
No way! 🤣