Heather Beck

An interview by Sheila
 

Wild on Books is honored to interview Heather Beck, author of books and screenplays!

Published Books

Heather Beck's Sites:

Heather Beck's Site
 

Posted December 13, 2008

SheilaMonique:  Welcome to Wild on Books Heather. Can you start out by telling us about yourself?  

Heather Beck:  Hi Wild on Books. Thanks for having me! I’m a twenty-three year old author who writes mainly coming-of-age and genre fiction, such as paranormal romance, horror, etc. I began writing professionally at the age of sixteen and had my first book, The Paradise Chronicles, published when I was nineteen years old. I have also been practicing screenwriting for almost three years. I have a short film “Young Eyes” in post-production. I also have two TV shows and two features which are optioned and now in development. 
 

SheilaMonique:  Can you tell us about your newest release, What Legends Are Made of?  

Heather Beck:  The following blurb best describes what my latest release, What Legends Are Made Of, is about:

Travel to Sir Tristan’s Estate, a place where ghosts roam freely and enter into your dreams at night. Step aboard the Blue Oceana, a ship that will lead you to the world’s last merman. Get a ticket to Frank’s Freak Show to discover the truly disturbing main attraction.  Finally, enter the doors of Karyn and Max Shield’s Costume and Magic Shop. It’s a place where you can buy merchandise that is out-of-this-world.

These tales will leave you spellbound and yearning for more. Are you ready to find out what real legends are made of?

What Legends Are Made Of is a mixture of horror, paranormal activity and romance. Like many of my fantastical stories, it was inspired by nature, unique locations and fantasy-like characters and situations. For “Sir Tristan’s Estate” I imagined a remote, Romantic (in the artistic sense) castle with a Gothic feel. Krista was the fantasy-like character in so much as she epitomized a strong, beautiful, career-orientated woman. Sir Tristan, on the other hand, was the epitome of the dark stranger with a secret. All of the stories in What Legends Are Made Of work on the principal of paradises coming alive.     
 

SheilaMonique:  What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t writing? 

Heather Beck:  When I’m not writing I love to spend my time outdoors. Fishing and hiking are two of my biggest passions. I’ve also spent the last four years of my life working towards an HBA at the University of Toronto. I studied, probably to no one’s surprise, English!   
 

SheilaMonique:  Are there any up and coming projects that you can tell us about? 

Heather Beck:  I have completed another paranormal romance anthology which includes five stories. The featured characters include a man who’s too perfect, a mummy that looks very good for his age, an alluring merman and many more which break all categories.

On the screenwriting side, I’ve just written my third TV pilot. It’s a coming-of-age drama set in a small town. Scandal and trouble most definitely ensure!     
 

SheilaMonique:  What was the most exciting moment in your writing career? 

Heather Beck:  Getting that first publishing contract was a surreal experience and having the paperback in my hands was sublime. I still get excited with every published book. After all the hard work, it’s wonderful to receive sweet and supportive letters from fans as well as complimentary reviews.

Regarding screenwriting, it’s amazing to cast actors in roles which I’ve created and hear my words come to life. Screenwriting is associated with a lot of business meetings and invitations to events – I adore both of these things.
 

SheilaMonique:  Who is the person who has had the biggest influence on your life? 

Heather Beck:  I have high esteem for kind and compassionate people who attempt to make the world a better place, even if only for one person. I also admire people who achieve their dreams. I don’t, however, feel wholly influenced by just one person. Instead, each person I know offers something unique and special to my life.

SheilaMonique:  Can you give us an insight on Girl in Crisis?  

Heather Beck:  I’ll let my blurb answer that question!   

Seventeen-year-old Krista Huntington lives in the heart of California. With a movie producer as a father and all the best things money can buy, one would think her life is perfect. It’s too bad Krista doesn’t see it that way.  All she can feel is disappointment despite her accomplishments. Whether it’s being the high school valedictorian, receiving a scholarship from university or having Neil’s full attention, Krista is in a race for it all.

Unable to meet the expectations she feels society is placing upon her, Krista strikes back with a vengeance. Destruction of public property, aggressive behavior and emotional breakdowns begin to define her life. In desperation, Krista’s family and friends come to her aid. Their solution is a unique outward bound program. Krista has two options left; either fight her inner demons or continue the rampage of self-destruction.   
 

SheilaMonique:  There are many stories and movies about superheroes. What in your view constitutes a real-life hero? 

Heather Beck: I think a real-life hero is strong and possesses a vast amount of knowledge without being condescending. Loyalty, dedication, compassion, and the ability to love endlessly are also crucial.  

SheilaMonique:  What is the one thing that you'd love to do, but will probably never have the nerve?  What is the one thing you've already done that still amazes you to this day? 

Heather Beck:  I really want to see the pyramids in Egypt. They must be so magnificent and awe-inspiring in real-life. I highly doubt, however, that I’ll ever see them. On a more superficial note, I’d love to dye my hair red but probably never will. There are two things, though, that I fully intend to do. They include swimming with dolphins and catching a hammerhead shark.  

The thing which I’ve done and still amazes me is my writing career. I’m very proud of what I’ve accomplished and there’s much more to come! Specifically though, I was astonished when my scary series for kids was optioned for a TV show when I was only nineteen years old.    
 

SheilaMonique:  What is the one piece of advice you received from another writer that you still heed today? 

Heather Beck:  Honestly, the first few writers I met after being published myself were extremely jaded. They appeared discouraged by the state of the arts. Perhaps they were having a bad day or expected much more money than their royalties yielded. Either way, they offered only bleak expectations and no encouragement.

My English teachers and friends who read my work were always supportive though! Regardless of what anyone could have said, I knew I wanted this and that’s what mattered. Thus, the notion that you’ll just know when something’s right is my advice, now and forever.

SheilaMonique:  If you could go any place, no planning involved, you are just whisked there by magic! Where would you go? 

Heather Beck:  I would go to Hawaii since I love beaches with an intense passion. I can stay in the water for hours and walk or lie on the sand for days. Palm trees are absolutely beautiful and the sun is one of God’s greatest gifts.
 

SheilaMonique:  Can you tell us about your book Ten Journeys Through The Unknown?  

Heather Beck: Ten Journeys Through The Unknown is a collection of ten scary stories that always end with a twist. They are fun and suspenseful rather than gory so it’s great for readers of all ages.   

Befriending a vampire…

Playing games with tricky gnomes…

Hunting a not-so-ordinary wolf…

Being swallowed by a mountain…

Fighting a ten thousand-year-old curse…

All these adventures and more await you inside this book. The future of horror is here. The only question is: are you ready for it?
 

SheilaMonique:  What helps you to keep on writing when you get discouraged? 

Heather Beck:  I’m usually optimistic and fuelled by desire when it comes to my writing. I have a ton of ideas and am always eager to start a new project. However, like many authors, I sometimes get discouraged. When this occurs, I’ll look at my books and movie/TV contracts and remind myself of how much I’ve accomplished. When I get really down and start to think I’m writing in vain, I’ll unload on the person who never ceases to encourage, support and make me smile.
 

SheilaMonique:  If you were given super powers what would they be and what would you do? 

Heather Beck:  If I had a super power I’d like it to be the ability to heal all wounds, both physical and emotional. I’m uncertain if I believe in a utopian world but I’d definitely use my gift to stop war and inequality as well as the devastating aftermath of such things.  
 

SheilaMonique:  Who was the first author you can recall reading?  

Heather Beck:  It was definitely Francine Pascal’s Sweet Valley Kids series in grade two. Pascal’s characters were multifaceted and relatable while the plots contained the excitement of fiction with the structure of real life. I loved those books and can recall having an intense desire to create my own fictional series.
 

SheilaMonique:  I see, by reading your “About Me” page that you are a fan of American Dreams. What were your thoughts when you learned it was cancelled?  

Heather Beck:  It was a classic, “what were they thinking?” moment. American Dreams was well-written, finely acted, and perfectly executed. I don’t watch a lot of TV but I definitely miss the show. If American Dreams was still running I believe that, decades from now, it would have been a show that defined American culture.  
 

SheilaMonique:  Who are some of your favorite authors?  

Heather Beck:  Jack London’s wilderness adventures are amazing. I also love Tennessee Williams and J.D. Salinger’s work because they’re so insightful yet compassionate when it comes to the human condition. 
 

SheilaMonique:  Do you prefer sunsets or sunrises? 

Heather Beck:  Sunsets, which is kind of weird since I love the sun and the heat it generates. I’ve seen more sunsets than sunrises so that may have influenced my answer.

SheilaMonique:  Is there anything your fans would find surprising to find out about you?  

Heather Beck:  They may be surprised to know that authors are extremely passionate people. Honestly, much of my writing is an autobiography masquerading as fiction. Then, oddly enough, some of my writing is my reality with borders.
 

SheilaMonique:  Thank you for taking the time to sit and answer our questions Heather. Is there anything you would like to add?  

Heather Beck:  I would like readers to know that I started in this business with nothing but passion and a dedicated work ethic. I strive to improve upon my craft with every word I write so the best is yet to come. I would like to thank everyone who has read my books and offered me supportive feedback. I hope I can bestow inspiration and a reminder that it is possible to live out a dream.
 

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