Author Interview & Giveaway - Steve Cushman

Please welcome Steve Cushman, author of the YA book Heart with Joy, to Fiction Folio today! You can check out my review of Heart with Joy here. Steve has also written Portisville, a novel, and Fracture City, a short story collection.

What inspired you to write Heart with Joy?

I don't know if anything inspired me other than the usual desire to get a story down. I wanted to write about a father and son that were thrown together when the lady of the house left and see how they would respond.  All the other stuff--cooking and bird watching and falling in love, not to mention the importance of following your heart and pursuing your passions--didn't come into the story for quite a while. But I had that father and son relationship to start with.

What was the hardest part about writing Heart with Joy?

I don't remember it being a particularly hard novel to write. So much of writing, to me, is just being patient and trusting that it will come. That if you go back to the story each day and give and give of yourself, eventually it will pay off. Now I don't want to make it sound all fluffy and otherworldly because I think writing happens when you sit your butt in a chair and work. So while it may be hard work when I'm writing I feel like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing if that makes sense.

What is your favorite part of the book?

Definitely the father and son relationship. As someone whose father died when he was young, this novel allowed me, through Julian, to ask questions I would have liked to ask my father. Now, of course, I wasn't thinking that at the time but in retrospect I can see that. With that said, I also liked writing about cooking and bird watching, which are two of my favorite things to do.

How long did it take you to write Heart with Joy?

It took about 6 years off and on.  The way I write is to work on multiple projects at the same time. By that I mean that I may work on project A for 2-3 months and then move on to project B, then back to project A. I like writing this way because if I get tired of a particular project and need a break I always have something else to work on. 

Do you have any other projects you are currently working on?

Right now I'm actually working on some short stories and poems. I have a first draft of a novel that I plan on going back to after the first of the year, after publicity for Heart With Joy settles down.  

What book are you currently reading?

I just started Cutting For Stone. It's a novel I've heard a lot of good things about so I'm excited about getting into it.

Besides writing, what else do you like to do in your spare time?

Since I work full time, and write, I spend all my free time with my family.  The only real hobby I have--if you would call it a hobby--is reading. I love to read and think it's essentially for writers to read. Heck, I think it's essentially for everyone to read.

Thanks Steve for taking the time to answer these questions! For more info please visit http://www.stevecushman.net/.

And now for the giveaway! One lucky winner will receive a signed copy of Heart with Joy as well as a postcard. All you have to do is fill out the short form here. Make sure you check out my contest policy before entering. The winner will be announced on November 10. And don’t forget to leave some comment love!