YABC: What surprised you most while writing The Mysterious Abductions?
Tracey Hecht: One of the things I love most about writing The Nocturnals is the research that is involved with each book. I love using the physiologies of the animals and their unique characteristics to inform and develop characters and enhance plot and story dynamic. The details I learn about the nocturnal world are constantly inspiring and engaging for me.
YABC: If you could live in any fantasy world, which one would it be?
TH: Probably and underwater fantasy world. Either that, or some kind of existence in the sky. I want either gills or wings!
YABC: Do you have a mantra that gets you through the drafting phase?
TH: The drafting phase is my favorite part! It’s the hours of writing and editing, writing and editing when I need a mantra.
The truth is, I really enjoy creating and writing stories so I don’t so much need a mantra. It’s more that I need to carve out of my schedule time and space. Quiet, open, time and space. And for a sustained periods. That’s what I need most.
YABC: What is your favorite hobby when you’re not writing?
TH: It depends on the season. I really love and need the seasons. I like a curled-up-in-front-of-the-fire winter day, a great book, a movie, doing something cozy. But I love the summer when I’m outdoors, hiking and swimming and cooking over a fire late into the night. I like the city in the fall, shopping, walking the streets and eating out. My hobbies change based on the season.
YABC: Which character gave you the most trouble when writing The Mysterious Abductions?
TH: I had to think about this question a long time, and even still, I don’t really have an answer. I don’t think any of them gave me a tough time. I really love all the characters in the first book and I loved writing them. I also wasn’t under any time pressure so I got to let them develop very naturally.
YABC: Do you enjoy writing to music? If so, do you have a go-to playlist?
TH: I don’t write to music, I’m not even sure I could, but I love to write to the sounds of nature. If I can write out of the city, the best place being my house in Maine, that is the best. My ideal writing dynamic is from about 5:30am until about 10am at the kitchen table of my house in Maine. Everyone in my family sleeps late so I get to be all alone. As I write, I watch and listen to the day wake up all around me. It’s perfection. I do that everyday except for Sundays when I let myself sleep in! I love Sundays too.
YABC: Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?
TH: I have many but I think given I’m writing about The Nocturnals, the obvious one to cite right now is my passion for read aloud. I think reading aloud to friends, children, your spouse, anyone!, is a wonderful thing. It’s great for literacy and education, but I do it in my life because I find it enjoyable, calming and wonderfully connective. I am doing a read aloud program with the New York Public Library and New York City public schools with the launch of The Nocturnals. I will be visiting over two dozen schools to do read aloud workshops in grades 3-6. I hope we will be able to extend the program into other library and school systems as well.
YABC: What’s a book that you’ve read recently that you would recommend to your readers?
TH: My son and I just read a bunch of Gecko and Sticky books. They’re really funny and super quick reads. You can get through three or four of them in a week.
YABC: Which part of the writing process do you enjoy more: Drafting or Revising?
TH: I think I already revealed this one- drafting! That’s the most fun part for me.
YABC: What would you say is your superpower?
TH: It’s feels super trite and kind of embarrassing to admit, but I think it’s kindness. That’s the place I start from, with everything and everyone I approach. It’s amazing how it improves the dynamic of things. But if I could choose a superpower, then it would 100% be shape shifting.
Meet The Nocturnals: The Mysterious Abductions!
“We can be bold in adventure-“
“We can be brave in challenge-“
“We can be friends.”
The Nocturnals features three unlikely friends: Dawn, a serious fox, Tobin, a sweet pangolin and Bismark, the loud mouthed, pint sized sugar glider. The stories all play out in their nighttime world with teamwork, friendship and humor in every adventure.
In The Mysterious Abductions, the animals form a brigade of the night after a random encounter with a blood-thirsty snake, and just in time because something is threatening their night realm. Animals are disappearing without a trace. Together with the help of a wombat, a band of coyotes and many others, Dawn, Tobin and Bismark journey to the depths of the earth in a wacky, high stakes game that will determine all of their survival.
Meet Tracey Hecht!
Tracey Hecht, founder of Fabled Films, is a writer and entrepreneur who has written, directed and produced for film. Tracey has launched several start-ups including DoughNet, an online company promoting savings and social responsibility for kids. Fabled Films brings together her passions and interests: writing, creativity, teamwork, and entrepreneurship. When she isn’t writing and managing a business, she can be found hiking, reading or spending time with her family. Tracey currently splits her time between New York City and Oquossoc, Maine with her husband, four children and three pets—none of which are a sugar glider.
The Nocturnals: The Mysterious Abductions
By: Tracey Hecht
Release Date: April 19, 2016
*GIVEAWAY DETAILS*
Five winners will receive a signed copy of The Mysterious Abductions, plus a cape seen in the picture attached (the plush fox wearing the cape is *not* part of the prize)–US only.
*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*
I like the cover; I like the way the O is the moon. I also like the was the fox is only partly shown; it makes it more intriguing Plus foxes are very hip right now :0)
I love that this author researched in depth for this book. This is so important to stay true to the characters and world-building. This sounds like I’d be very entertained and learn lots while reading this book.
I love the cover of the book! I like the storyline of these unlikely friends! I can’t wait to read this book!
I read some sample chapters on your site and my girls loved it! My daughter loves nature and animal science. The artwork is awesome also.