I’m so excited to introduce you to a new author that my author friend, JoAnn Meaker, sent my way. Her name is Hannah Mullen and she is twelve years old. She is putting the finishing touches on her first novel, titled “Experimentals”. While I haven’t met her in person yet, we have exchanged several emails, and I have read a pre-release copy of her novel. I must admit that I am quite impressed. “Experimentals” is a science-fiction novel about children who are “adopted” by the government and raised in a lab where they are basically treated like lab animals. It is an impressive debut novel, especially when you consider her age. I asked Hannah several questions, her responses are below. You will, no doubt, be impressed by her maturity.
1. How old were you when you began writing?
Well, my first book attempt was when I was eleven, but really I think I’ve been writing my whole life. I just didn’t realize I wanted to write a book until the sixth grade.
2. Is this your first novel?
Yes, it is. I worked on it for about six months for the initial first draft, starting in June and ending in November.
3. Where did you get the idea for Experimentals?
Well, it was kind of a combination of things. I noticed that, in science fiction novels, there is usually some kind of lab, but they never really go into it very much. I have always liked writing emotional pieces and I love science, so I just put all that together, and now here I am.
4. Where do you go to school? What’s your favorite subject?
I go to Stonewall Jackson Middle School. I’m not really a big fan of school because I want to be writing. My favorite class would probably be language arts, though, because I get to write and I like the teacher because she makes the class very interactive.
5. Who is your favorite author? What is your favorite book?
I like a lot of the books that I read, but I would have to say my favorite currently (I have a new one about every week) is Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan. My favorite author is John Green because he’s very good at every book he writes and he’s a funny guy.
6. What is the most difficult part about writing a novel?
There are a lot of difficult parts, but the first big issue for me is believing that it’ll be good enough. Sometimes it’s hard when you’re writing something to know if you’ll look back at it when you’re editing and think, wow, this is awful. I think you just have to write it out and see. Usually, it’s a lot better than you think, but it can be stressful when you don’t think it will be.
What advice do you have for other young authors?
Don’t give up. Don’t give in to what everyone else says, because if you put your mind to it, you can do it. I know that sounds like a poster that would be hanging in your classroom, but it’s true. Also, don’t feel like you have to take ideas from everyone. It’s your writing, not theirs, even if they are your friends.
Visit Hannah’s Facebook page for updates.
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