Interview with Hilda Leticia Dominguez

Hey guys! So I'm going away this weekend to the robotics state competition, so don't expect too many posts but if I get internet there, I'll try to do one my spare time. Don't get your hopes up too high :) 

Anyway, I wanted to interview Hilda because she is my friend and because she is a published author. I've never met Hilda before, but we do call ourselves "sisters" :) There is a link to her blog at the bottom  so please go and follow her! Also if you interested in buying her book, there is a picture of it along the sidebar of my blog. All you have to do is click it and it will take you to a website where you can buy Hilda's book! 

~July

1.) Can you introduce yourself and tell a bit about yourself?

I'm Hilda Leticia Dominguez but you can call me Hilda for short. I love writing fiction stories and am excited to have finally published a book! So now I am an author. When I am not writing, I love to chat online with my "Sis" and my friends. But ever since my brother gave me his iPad, I've gone crazy by using it a lot and posting messages to my friends. Sorry about that, LOL!

2.) How long ago did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I think when I was a little kid in elementary because I remember I made a homemade book at home and wrote and drew a story in it.

Hilda's book! Find the image on the side-
bar that looks like this and click on it
to purchase it!

3.) At what moment did you fall in love with writing?

I think subconsciously I've always loved writing because I always enjoyed it in my English classes. My favorite part of those classes was when we get to write in our composition books and write a short story, but unfortunately I didn't get to do that in all my English classes in schools because we would mostly read classic books like to Kill a Mockingbird and such.

When I finally realized it and decided I wanted to be a writer was just a few years ago.

4.) How did you get published?

I followed the guidelines and procedures from my online writing course, which by the way anyone can take it, but I was always rejected by publishing houses. I did a lot of my own research and realized it was easier and better to self publish because of the freedom of creating and printing your book. I self-published my story "The Invisible Spy Spying in the lives of Celebrities" with a publisher called CreateSpace, which is affiliated with Amazon.com. Thanks to my brother, he gave me the money to have it published. I was led by a team online step-by-step in publishing my book.

5.) What publishing company did you use?

CreateSpace.

6.) How long did it take you to write The Invisible Spy? 

I don't remember exactly since I don't pay attention to how long I write stories, but my guess is that less than a year. Maybe a few months.

7.) Are you planning on publishing any other books?

Oh yes! When I can. I have a few stories already written and one in the process and another one for future writing.

8.) Who are your biggest supporters?

Biggest supporters? My mom and my brother. My mom gets so excited when I finish a story or short story and wants to read it right away.

9.) Who are a few of your inspirations?

My "Writing Team", My mom, brother, and the author Mrs. Beverly Cleary's stories. Also encouragements I get from family and other people.

10.) What keeps you going when you want to give up writing?

By talking it over with my mom. She always tells me to "never give up," and I also advice that to everyone on anything good they want to do.

11.) Is there any other advice you can give to youth writers?

Yes, to any writer of any age, never give up on your dreams. You are never too young or too old to write a story. There have been kids and adults over 60 years of age who have written a book. Anyone can do it, all it takes is patience, dedication and desire to write.

If you want to be a writer, read a lot and write a lot...or type. Even writing in your diary, blog, or journal counts. ;)


12.) "I want to be a published writer. Where do I begin?"
First I suggest taking a writing course to get familiar with the terminology and submission requirements, etc. Or you can learn on your own by checking out recent books from the library about writing and publishing and self publishing. The thing is you would want to absorb as much information as you can about how to publish a book and how to write one. So depending on how much you study and learn the info, but remember to don't rush through your studies. Don't look ahead and think "I want to start right after I finish reading this book." Learn first just like learning a subject, but write stories while you do. You will see overtime how much you have improved.

Here's a valuable tip: Since the publishing industry can change over time, always check out the most recent books. You can tell by looking at the copyright year inside a book. ;)


13) "Am I too young to publish a book?"
I personally don't believe so... Well, as long as you know how to write, that is. I remember watching a program on TV where a preteen was running her own online magazine from her home with her mom's help. Sounds too good to be true but it is. I was amazed!

See, no matter how young or old we are, we can do it! :D


14) "Do you have an official website?"
Yes, but sadly it will expire on April 29, 2013. My brother can't help me financially to renew it since he quit working due to health reasons. But you can follow my official blog at http://hildald.blogspot.com/ anytime you want to. :)