Tracy Hewitt Meyer
Author Interview - Tracy Hewitt Meyer
Author of Generation Annihilation
For seventeen-year-old Shaun Treadway, terror and rage are a way of life. Living with the fear that his abusive stepfather will one day kill his mother, Shaun decides to kill him first—by setting fire to his childhood home with his stepfather inside. Fleeing Baltimore to his mother’s hometown in West Virginia, he hides out in his family’s isolated cabin. Except the small town of Blackthorn Peak is anything but welcoming. The streets are deserted, there is no sign of life, and at the end of Main Street is the creepiest abandoned building he’s ever seen: Blackthorn Peak Lunatic Asylum. Investigating the grounds, Shaun meets the elusive and mysterious Cass. Thrilled to find someone his own age, he asks her on a date. On the night they’re supposed to meet, though, Cass desperately tries to get him to leave. Running into the asylum, she tells him to never return. He decides to do just that—leave. This girl and this town are far too creepy for him to stay. But when he hears Cass’s scream, he can’t help but rush into the building. What he discovers once inside is far darker and more sinister than even his worst nightmare. Uncovering the secrets that Cass keeps just might cost him his life.
Author Interview - Tracy Hewitt Meyer
Author I draw inspiration from:
As a reader for as far back in childhood as I can remember, this is always a tough question! I adored Francine Pascal and Judy Blume in my younger years; Sidney Sheldon during high school, which is also the time I developed a mild obsession with Dostoevsky. I spent a year reading the Classics in college (voluntarily), on top of all that was required as an English major. Since college I've continued my tear through countless books, in awe of the talented authors and their written word. But there is one author who wrote the one book that catapulted my imagination into a whole new realm; a book I've read ten or so times; a novel that from the first read became my favorite book. Not only that, but I have since devoured all her other works. The author is Marion Zimmer Bradley, and the book is The Mists of Avalon. There is something about this novel that cracked open a whole new world of creativity for me. I've adored it as a reader, and I've adored it as a writer. I love Morgan Le Fey and the fantasy/fairytale realm, the world-building, and the folklore of King Arthur. I love the feminine focus, the imagery, the layers and layers of storylines, overt and nuanced. My love for this book is hard to put into eloquent words as it has meant different things to me each time I've read it. But she will forever remain one of my favorite authors and The Mists of Avalon will always be my favorite book.
Author Interview - Tracy Hewitt Meyer | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
Ideally, I'd stay my favorite place is outside. Whether it be on a warm-ish fall day, dressed in jeans, boots, sweater and scarf, or beachside under an umbrella with a cocktail by my side. Where I usually read, though, is in bed at night. My days are rather busy, so I read at the end of the day. Pajamas on. Bedroom door closed. Lights off and Kindle on. I read every single night without fail. If I accidentally leave my Kindle behind when I travel--which I've only done once because I learned that lesson quickly--I'll read on the Kindle app on my phone. Rarely do I sleep through the night so I often read in spurts throughout the night too. Always fiction. Never the news or nonfiction. I love stories. Plain and simple. They are a comfort in the literal and figurative darkness.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
I could go with a spicy answer here, but I won't (wink wink). Also, I can be a moody person, so I hope I can name more than one person. If I'm feeling outgoing and fun, I'd choose Sooki Stackhouse from the novels by Charlaine Harris. If I'm feeling inquisitive, I'd choose Chief Inspector Armand Gamache from the novels by Louise Penny. If I'm feeling angry, I'd choose Cara Lindstrom from the novels by Alexandra Sokoloff. And if you twisted my arm for the spicy answer, I'd say any of the Brothers in the Black Dagger Brotherhood novels by J.R. Ward, but don't tell anyone I said that.
Author Interview - Tracy Hewitt Meyer | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
During high school, after years of being a reader, I started to think about the act of writing, and what it would take to become an author. In AP English, we wrote two short stories, and I was hooked. In college I majored in English with a Creative Writing focus, and an interest was sparked that only grew stronger over time. After college I detoured into mental health and addictions treatment, and it wasn't until I was home with my third child that I decided to start writing consistently and seriously. I taught myself to write a novel by trying my hand at romance because there is a predictable story arc in that genre. From there, I stepped into YA and that genre is what has stuck with me. I love the rawness of YA, and believe that young adult novels are perfect for teens and adults alike.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
Well...all of the above. A reader like me reads any and all. I listen to audiobooks when I drive. I read ebooks at night. I vacillate between hardback and paperback if I get a chance to read during the day. I'm more likely to carry the paperback if I'm going somewhere (never the Kindle--I can't risk losing it because I wouldn't be able to sleep otherwise). In my car, on my nightstand, or on the side table beside the couch, I have a mix of hard and paperback copies. I adore books and their physical presence. When I was younger, I'd sleep with books in my bed for comfort. Now, if you asked me what I'd have with me on a deserted island, I'd say my Kindle. And lip balm.
The last book I read:
Hunger Moon by Alexandra Sokoloff. This is the 5th book I've read in this series about the above mentioned character, Cara Lindstrom, who is a female serial killer. The books are excellent--unique, fast-paced, captivating, and they make you think. There are always reasons why people do what they do, and these novels really explore motivation in a way that makes it relatable and understandable. I definitely recommend this series.
Author Interview - Tracy Hewitt Meyer | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
I will always prefer pen and paper. I just love the feel of both, the movement of the pen, the smell of the paper. I keep a physical calendar that I carry with me. I have countless notebooks, as well as journals and diaries from my younger years. Words on paper will always have a special place in my heart. I outline and plot on paper. I have a trifold for each novel where I plan out the story arc (I use the three act system which works great with the trifold). I love sticky notes of all variety, pens (especially particular ones that are made in Japan and I buy on Amazon). I use note cards, sticky tabs, book marks, and all variety of physical items that aren't digital. In the end, though, I write on the computer. I do print out the novel after the second draft and edit the physical copy before returning to the computer.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
Luna Lovegood, a character in The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling, is the character that comes to mind when I think of who I'd like to be friends with. We have similar personalities, so I think we'd get along smashingly. We're both a little whimsical, a little flighty, kind, considerate, gentle, and yes, odd and eccentric. We'd be the best of friends. Or, considering I'm old enough to be her mom, she could be my daughter and my friend.
Author Interview - Tracy Hewitt Meyer | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
I currently have a second career as a mental health therapist. I have a Masters of Social Work, and am a licensed clinician. I've worked in a range of environments, from a partial hospitalization program to outpatient behavioral health for the homeless to residential programs to private practice. Right now I work alone in my own private practice part-time. I don't know what I'd be otherwise. I thought about law school at one point, but that would've been a disaster for me. I couldn't be a nurse or doctor or a teacher, so I guess I know what my dream jobs would not be. But I'm fortunate to have two careers that I love and that feed me in different ways.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
Medieval. I know it was likely a smelly, unsanitary time in history, not to mention dangerous for a multitude of reasons. But if I could clean it up and glamorize it like the shows and historical romance novels do, this would be the era I'd live in. Not that I'm a dress kind-of gal as I rarely wear dresses, so why would I choose to wear one of those heavy gowns? I have no idea. But there's something alluring about medieval times, something we've romanticized through books and movies that draws me in. I wouldn't mind a handsome knight in shining armor, or at least wearing one of those flowy poet-like shirts, to darken my dirty doorstep while I flitted away the day in a beautiful silk gown.
Place I’d most like to travel:
I'd choose to do the Lord of the Rings tours (all that are offered!) in New Zealand. I didn't love the books, but I adore the movies--the original three movies, that is. I've watched them several times, and they do for me what The Mists of Avalon does for me, which is leave me gaping in awe, and more than a little obsessed.
My signature drink:
I do like a glass of Sauvingon Blanc if I'm drinking alcohol. I don't really like liquor, though an occasional beer is okay if I don't mind looking like a pufferfish afterward. I'm a coffee over tea drinker, two cups every morning, thank you very much. No sweetener or cream. Just black. But in the afternoon if I need a pick-me-up, there's nothing better than an iced coffee from Starbucks with a splash of oat milk. Delish.
Favorite artist:
I'm not well schooled in art, and I have to be in the mood for music. Even music I like can be overstimulating for my senses, so I usually default to audiobooks or podcasts because I like the cadence of the spoken word. My favorite artists when I do listen to music, are Sia, Duffy, Hayley Westenra, and Tyler Childers. I gravitate toward more soothing sounds. If I need a creative outlet when I'm not writing or reading, I like to go to the movies or watch something on a streaming platform. I watch The Big Bang Theory on repeat because I find it comforting, like an old friend. As for pieces of 'art', I collect figures of Edgar Allen Poe, though I also have a figure of Inigo Montoya and Frodo, and desperately want one of Luna Lovegood. That's my art, and it makes me very happy.
Number one on my bucket list:
I don't have a bucket list. I've lived long enough that I've learned to take life one day at a time, manage my expectations, and feel gratitude for the smallest things. Some things I'm looking forward to doing are writing my next book; watching my puppy, Leonard, grow, and throwing my other dog's (Lila) ball; going somewhere warm over the holidays, somewhere cool in the summer; spending time with family and friends; watching another round of The Big Bang Theory. And perhaps purchasing another Edgar Allen Poe bobblehead. Or maybe finding that Luna Lovegood figure.
Anything else you'd like to add: Thank you so much to Hasty Book List for the interview!
Find more from the author:
www.Facebook.com/TracyHewittMeyer
www.twitter.com/TracyHMeyer
www.instagram.com/TracyHewittMeyer
www.TracyHewittMeyer.com
www.linktr.ee/tracyhewittmeyer
About Tracy Hewitt Meyer:
Tracy Hewitt Meyer is the award-winning young adult author of the Rowan Slone novels, The Reformation of Marli Meade, and the upcoming release, Generation Annihilation (10/10/23). Much of her work centers around the challenges teenagers face, and she has tackled the tough topics of teen pregnancy, self-harm, and domestic violence, among others. She holds a B.A. in English and a Master of Social Work. When not writing, she works as a mental health therapist for adults. She lives in Virginia with her family and beloved dogs where she is currently working on her new novel.
