Hend Hegazi will be awarding one copy of Normal Calm and a copy of Behind Picket Fences (U.S. and International) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Behind
Picket Fences
by Hend Hegazi
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GENRE: Fiction - contemporary
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For the novel
Behind Picket Fences by Hend Hegazi
Website: www.hendhegazi.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorHendHegazi
Newsletter:
http://eepurl.com/bZa7fH
What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?
I love
love, in all its forms. I love spiritual love, showing love to The Creator,
romantic love, showing love to a spouse, familial love, showing love to our
immediate and extended families, and fraternal love, showing love to our
friends. And I love to laugh. Love and laughter are a huge part of who I am.
As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?
As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?
I am
currently working on a novel about a woman with high functioning autism who is
going through a divorce and a custody battle for her two children. I’m hoping
to be done with the first draft within the next month or so, because I know it
will need a significant re-write. After I’ve completed that novel, I hope to
begin work on a memoir. Themes throughout my novels tend to be love and
forgiveness, and I think these will be highlighted in my memoir as well.
If you could be one of the characters from this book, who would it be and why?
If you could be one of the characters from this book, who would it be and why?
Mariam is
the strongest of the women in this book. I love how she makes sacrifices to
fight for her marriage, but she also knows what she deserves… and won’t accept
anything less. I think she shows great courage in both fighting for her
marriage and realizing that it needs to end.
Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?
Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?
I do not
belong to a critique group, but I believe strongly in the importance of giving
and receiving critique. I have not joined a critique group because as I write,
I find it hard to focus on anything else. I feel the need to put all my
creative energy into my writing, and if I were in a critique group, that would
render me essentially useless to the other members.
I always recruit
a few beta-readers to read my work pre-publication, however. This is an
invaluable way to gauge how well my story has fulfilled its purpose and to
reveal any holes that I may have missed.
When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?
It took me more than a few years to complete my first novel. It actually started out as a short story, then it dawned on me that I could expand it into a novel, and thus fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming an author. But it just kept dragging along. Finally I made myself decide: either write diligently and finish the book, or just drop it, and let go of the dream. Once I decided to take my writing seriously, there was no question whether or not I would submit it for publication.
When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?
It took me more than a few years to complete my first novel. It actually started out as a short story, then it dawned on me that I could expand it into a novel, and thus fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming an author. But it just kept dragging along. Finally I made myself decide: either write diligently and finish the book, or just drop it, and let go of the dream. Once I decided to take my writing seriously, there was no question whether or not I would submit it for publication.
What is
the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)
The best advice I received was ‘if you never ask, the answer will always be no.’ I think someone said it in a writing group on Facebook, as a piece of advice someone had passed on to her. But it is so true; if you want something, you must go after it. The worst that will happen, is you don’t get it. But if you never go after it, you will always wonder what the outcome may have been.
As for the worst advice I’ve ever received…well, it’s not advice I’ve received personally, but rather a general credence often repeated by authors and publishers. When it comes to marketing, new authors and indie publishers will advise you that social media is a must, that without it, your work simply won’t sell. But delve into the field of book marketing and you’ll quickly learn that social media platforms have a minimal impact on your sales. Yes, social media helps to get the word out, but it simply doesn’t do it as effectively as building a relationship with your audience, namely via email newsletters.
The best advice I received was ‘if you never ask, the answer will always be no.’ I think someone said it in a writing group on Facebook, as a piece of advice someone had passed on to her. But it is so true; if you want something, you must go after it. The worst that will happen, is you don’t get it. But if you never go after it, you will always wonder what the outcome may have been.
As for the worst advice I’ve ever received…well, it’s not advice I’ve received personally, but rather a general credence often repeated by authors and publishers. When it comes to marketing, new authors and indie publishers will advise you that social media is a must, that without it, your work simply won’t sell. But delve into the field of book marketing and you’ll quickly learn that social media platforms have a minimal impact on your sales. Yes, social media helps to get the word out, but it simply doesn’t do it as effectively as building a relationship with your audience, namely via email newsletters.
Do you
outline your books or just start writing?
I never do formal outlines. I find the creative experience must be more free-flowing. But, as I work, I do make notes of what will happen next, the change of location (within the story) of a specific scene, or where to add character background. I have sticky notes all over my notebook and comments all throughout my digital document which help organize the final structure of the story.
I never do formal outlines. I find the creative experience must be more free-flowing. But, as I work, I do make notes of what will happen next, the change of location (within the story) of a specific scene, or where to add character background. I have sticky notes all over my notebook and comments all throughout my digital document which help organize the final structure of the story.
How do
you maintain your creativity?
Some people
will tell you that creativity is greatly improved if you go out and meet
people, experience life. While that is probably great advice, I prefer the
comfort of my own home. I do believe that being disciplined with your writing
regimen helps increase creativity. I try to write a little every day, even if
what I write is crap. Lots of days, it will be crap, but the habit of writing
will eventually produce something good, maybe even great.
I’m also a believer in reading, reading, reading, and especially reading at a level above the level you hope to write at. It’s like tennis: if you never play against someone better than you, you won’t improve. But if you’re constantly challenged, then you will up your game. The improvement will be very organic. With writing, it’s the same; your opponents are the stories of other authors.
Who is your favorite character in the book. Can you tell us why?
All of my characters are dear to my heart for different reasons, so it is very difficult to choose a favorite. Allow me to choose the one who surprises me in the amount of compassion I have for her, and that is Summer. Summer is a woman searching for happiness, and thinks she can find it in the arms of a man other than her husband. But her regret, her awakening, her arc, evoke from me compassion that I wouldn’t have expected to have for a woman in her position. I guess that’s just further proof of the role that forgiveness plays both in Behind Picket Fences and in my own life.
16. Anything else you might want to add?
You asked me about the best and worst piece of writing advice I ever received. Please allow me to impart a small piece of advice to any aspiring writers out there. There are some careers which require certain credentials before you may hold a title. A physician, for example, is not a doctor until she has successfully completed medical school. A lawyer, similarly, must first complete law school.
I’m also a believer in reading, reading, reading, and especially reading at a level above the level you hope to write at. It’s like tennis: if you never play against someone better than you, you won’t improve. But if you’re constantly challenged, then you will up your game. The improvement will be very organic. With writing, it’s the same; your opponents are the stories of other authors.
Who is your favorite character in the book. Can you tell us why?
All of my characters are dear to my heart for different reasons, so it is very difficult to choose a favorite. Allow me to choose the one who surprises me in the amount of compassion I have for her, and that is Summer. Summer is a woman searching for happiness, and thinks she can find it in the arms of a man other than her husband. But her regret, her awakening, her arc, evoke from me compassion that I wouldn’t have expected to have for a woman in her position. I guess that’s just further proof of the role that forgiveness plays both in Behind Picket Fences and in my own life.
16. Anything else you might want to add?
You asked me about the best and worst piece of writing advice I ever received. Please allow me to impart a small piece of advice to any aspiring writers out there. There are some careers which require certain credentials before you may hold a title. A physician, for example, is not a doctor until she has successfully completed medical school. A lawyer, similarly, must first complete law school.
But there
are no prerequisites to being a writer. To be a writer, you just have to own
that title. YOU are the only one who can determine whether or not you are a
writer. So if you dream of being one, stop dreaming, call yourself a
writer…then write! Owning the title may seem like a small step, but it is the
first step in taking yourself seriously in this field, and it is the first step
toward your success.
BLURB:
Behind
Picket Fences exposes four families from behind their comfortable lifestyles
and smiling faces. Sharing the same neighborhood, even spending time together,
no family knows the truth about the difficulties the others face.
On the outside, Sidra and Farris have the biggest house and the most expensive cars. What no one sees is their struggle to accept an unfulfilled dream. If they do not adapt to the blows of fate, their malcontent may give birth to deception.
On the outside, Sidra and Farris have the biggest house and the most expensive cars. What no one sees is their struggle to accept an unfulfilled dream. If they do not adapt to the blows of fate, their malcontent may give birth to deception.
Mariam and Morgan’s modest home exudes the rich scent of family. With children playing in the yard, they seem picture perfect. But financial struggle is their continuous battle, and their only solution may produce an envy which is more destructive than hunger.
Summer and Porter enjoy youth and the freedom of self-employment. But discontentment and mental instability linger between them. If they are not able to bridge the gap, their search for happiness may have a fatal end.
May and Hasan enjoy peace and true happiness. Illness cares not, however, of letting them relish in their blessings. Only patience and time will prove if this unwelcome visitor is simply passing by, or if it will tear their world apart.
An honest portrayal of love and family, Behind Picket Fences opens our eyes to the difficult truths hidden behind each happy facade.
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EXCERPT:
At half past six she began to get worried, but told herself
to give him fifteen more minutes. “His will be the next car around the turn,”
she assured herself. But the passing of more than a few cars and fifteen
minutes made her unable to wait any longer. She dialed his number once, with no
answer. She hung up and dialed again immediately. The second time, there was an
answer.
“Hello?” the woman’s voice said.
The words Summer had been ready to speak got lodged in her
throat and she stood there, barely breathing.
“Hello?” the voice repeated, a little louder this time.
Summer’s hand began to shake and a moment later she let the
phone drop from her weak fingers. Her breathing became labored and she raised
her hand to her chest to soothe the jabbing, but the pain would not cease.
Rather, it spread from her heart and ran all through her body. Her legs
suddenly became too weak to hold her and she fell seated to the floor.
What a cruel way to tell me, Porter, she thought as the
tears streamed down her face. So cruel.
The guilt in her told her she deserved it. She had deceived
him in the worst way possible and broken his heart; why wouldn’t he seek
comfort in the arms of someone else?
But then why had he agreed to dinner? Simply to get revenge?
To make me feel the pain that I had put him through? Really? Why did I let
myself get my hopes up? Why did I think he could forgive me? Why did I not
expect him to turn to another woman? All the questions ran through her mind as
her heavy breathing turned to sobs and she cradled herself, rocking back and
forth. Porter had just shattered the last bit of hope she had been clinging to,
and broken any remaining pieces of her heart.
The tears flowed for what felt like hours. When they finally
stopped, she stood up feeling drained and jaded. Summer cleaned up the kitchen,
her body unable to move at its usual pace. She threw the food directly into the
garbage instead of putting it away in the fridge; she wanted no reminders of
the evening she had expected to have. Carefully, she walked to her bedroom and
stepped out of her dress and into a pair of sweat pants and a tank top. Pulling
her hair into a tight pony tail, she turned off all the lights in the house,
and paused just outside the bathroom. The medicine cabinet seemed to whisper her
name.
“James?!” the woman yelled. “He’s not James!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Hend Hegazi was born and raised in Southeastern
Massachusetts. Despite her desire to pursue writing as a profession, she
graduated from Smith College with a degree in biology and a minor in religion.
Shortly thereafter, the winds of life and love blew her to Egypt where she has
been living for the past 14 years. She is a full time mother of four as well as
a freelance writer and editor. Some of her work has been featured in SISTERS
Magazine. Her fiction and poetry focus on the human condition, often shedding
light on the Muslim American experience. Hend strives to be God-conscious and
aims to raise that awareness in her readers. As a common theme in her pieces,
the intimate relationship between God-consciousness and love is often explored.
Hend’s debut novel, Normal Calm, was published in January 2014.
You can read her poetry and blog posts on her
website, www.hendhegazi.com, and follow her on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/AuthorHendHegazi. For updates on giveaways and
special offers, kindly opt-in to her free newsletter at this link http://eepurl.com/bZa7fH.
Both of her novels are available through most major book
distributors, or click here to purchase through Amazon: Normal Calm, Behind Picket Fences.
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
Hend
Hegazi will be awarding one copy of Normal Calm and a copy of Behind Picket
Fences (U.S. and International) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter
during the tour.
