Chase Taylor Hackett interview

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

A little introduction:

I’m a funny guy working at a New York law firm, writing about funny guys working at a New York law firm.

This greatly simplifies research.

I have two novels so far, published by Kensington Books.

When did your love of books begin?

My family valued reading a lot—I remember I couldn’t wait to learn to read. I was the youngest of a big bunch and, between my mother and my older brothers, I was reading well before I started school.

When did you start to have the wish to become an author?

I started to get attention for my writing in my teens. My first job was as a stringer for the local newspaper. I won a few small writing things, I got an honorable mention in a big writing thing, and I began to think there was maybe biochemistry wasn’t for me after all.

How have you found the process for becoming an author?

My degree is in dramatic literature. When I landed out in the world, what I really wanted to do was to write musical theatre, and a couple of those musicals got produced. One went on to Broadway, which was fabulous and nightmarish and a lesson in be-careful-what-you-wish-for.

A couple years ago I woke up one morning with these two guys in my head—Fletcher and Roger—and I knew a ton of details about them. Two days later Fletch was talking in my head, so Roger started telling me his side of the story. I had no idea what any of this was, but I figured I better start writing the stuff down before they stopped talking.

One thing I did know was that, whatever this story was that they were telling me, it wasn’t a stage musical. I was pretty sure it wanted to be a novel. I was equally sure I couldn’t write one. Even so, they wouldn’t shut up, and after a couple months I had the draft of a book. It stank in the worst way, but it existed, and I settled in to making it stink less.

What would you say to those wanting to become an author?

You can’t really “be” an author. All you can do is write. Find an idea, and write it.

Tell us about your book/books:

I write romantic comedies about gay guys in their late 20s/early 30s, coping with the 60-hour workweek in a competitive career while still trying to carve out some kind of a personal life—all in the particular craziness that is New York City. (I don’t imagine it’s any different in Pittsburgh or Sheboygan—but I happen to live here, so it’s easier.)

The books are perfect antidotes to the world we’ve been living in these last couple years.

What do you love about the writing/reading community?

I’ve yet to meet anybody who’s really mean or jealous or petty. Full disclosure—I am all those things, but so far as I can tell, I’m the only one.

If you could say anything to your readers what would it be?

The world doesn’t have enough good reviews. Stars are always lovely, and five is a nice, robust number, don’t you think?

Where can people connect with you?

I have (shocker!) a webpage:

www.chasetaylorhackett.com

 

I’m on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/chasetaylorhackett

 

And Twitter:

www.twitter.com/CTHackett

 

I’m even a little bit on Instagram:

www.instagram.com/chasetaylorhackett/

 

I toss images I gather for research onto Pinterest which might interest readers:

www.pinterest.com/ChaseTaylorHackett/_saved/

 

I only use GoodReads to keep track of books I’ve read and want to read, but I’m there:

www.goodreads.com/author/show/16686995.Chase_Taylor_Hackett

 

I also use GoodReads there to grab review quotes for ads/tweets, things like:

 

“Fabulous writer!”

“Head and shoulders above others in the genre.”

“A marvelous writer—funny, sharp, intelligent, observant, witty, and tender.”

 

I picked those totally at random, stack of bibles.

 

 

Thanks for listening.