A Hero’s Heart received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Tiffany Fenton.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
A Hero’s Heart. Published June 13th, 2019
What’s the book’s first line?
I needed more covers.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
A Hero’s Heart is a true story of victory, captivatingly told for the first time, from the survivor herself. It is a story of brutality, cruelty, and loss. It is a story of demons, heartache, and agony. It is a story of love, joy, and abundance. And lastly, it is a memoir told with fervor and elation. The writer shares her emotions in intimate detail as she conveys her journey from abuse, to illness, to deaths, and ultimately to ascendancy.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
It seems that everywhere I look someone somewhere is suffering from something. Things like cancer and suicides have become epidemics and although there are many stories of people and their battles, there are not many stories of triumphs and overcoming. I want to give people, even if it’s just one person, hope; the hope to overcome and the mindset needed in order to do so. After watching the news and hearing about a 10-year-old girl committing suicide, a good friend loosing her cancer battle, a 13 year old friend of my daughter’s confiding in her about the abuse she receives at home, I felt it was time to tell my story.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
Everyone has challenges in life, but it’s how we overcome them that determines the quality of life we live. This book takes you on a journey that most would never wish upon their enemy, yet at the same time, it paves a path of what it’s really like to be human; a real human, a whole human, an imperfect yet perfect human being enjoying life with a smile upon your face, laughter in your belly and love in your heart. Read this book as a guide of hope for the future you want, need and deserve.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
Oh such a good question. Recently it has been discussed about turning this book into a manuscript, so this question has played over and over in my mind. I think I would choose Emilia Clarke. Her ability to draw people in and make them feel like they are enduring what she is enduring yet also feel like you have won during her triumphs is incredible.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
This is the first book I have written on my own of this caliber. I co-authored a book with sixteen others a few years back and I have published an e-book hand-guide on creating a lifesaver list.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I am a teacher by trade but currently I speak throughout the USA, Canada and Costa Rica, and run women’s healing circles in Costa Rica.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
My writing process is a messy one. Starting with paper and pen and leading to computer. However, before I even start, I must think. I spend days thinking before I ever pick up a pen. I allow my mind to go anywhere and everywhere and when I’m satisfied that my mind isn’t going anywhere else, then I write. When I start to write, I write about 4 hours a day. Some days, I wake up at 2am and sit beside the window, looking out at the moon while writing like a mad woman as if planning to take over the world. Other days I sit and stare at the blank paper with an even blanker mind.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part about being an indie writer is the control I have and the hands-on work I get to do and being able to truly be a part of the entire process. The hardest part is learning all of the tricks of the trade to correctly and proudly market your book.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
“Keep those moments of doubt, JUST moments.” and, “It’s OK to be on life’s emotional roller-coaster, as long as you get off when the ride stops and go about your merry way.”
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
Yes. My goal is to speak around the world, sharing my story and giving hope. I think a traditional publisher could help get me on stages much faster than I can alone.
Is there something in particular that motivates you?
Motivation for me is sharing my story and seeing a smile on someone’s face that hasn’t had a smile in a while. It’s the person who was just diagnosed with something, or has a loved one going through something that looks at me and says, “Thank you. You just gave us hope. We thought it was over but our fight has just begun.” When someone says that hearing or reading my story has given him or her the strength to fight, that’s my motivation.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
Fifty Shades of Grey…let’s just leave it at that! Ha!