HHAC Day 7: C.L. Hernandez

C. L. Hernandez is a writer of horror, dark fiction, urban fantasy, and occasional poetry. She is the author of the series The Complicated Life of Deegie Tibbs (Winlock Press), and the novel The Curious Case of the Tuscan Plague Doctor (Barking Rain Press) which will be released in 2016.
She also writes the self-published series Horror Story Six-Packs (Cobwebs,
vol. 1, and A Half-Dozen Horrors, vol. 2)

She has stories featured in the anthologies Happy Little Horrors: Freak Show, Dead Harvest: A Collection of Dark Tales, and Deathmongers: Where the Light Dies.

She lives in California's Central Valley, and her life is a constant work in progress.



1.) When did you first get serious about writing?

A.) I’ve been writing since I was a kid, but I never really did much with it. It was more of a hobby than anything else. After about 25 years of fiddling around writing entire novels with notepads and ballpoint pens, I decided to see what—if anything—I could do with my writing. I bought a computer, learned how to use Word, and wrote my first “official” novel. Things just took off from there. I wish I would have gotten serious a long time ago!

2.) What is the hardest part for you about writing?

A.) Staying focused. My mind tends to wander off when I’m trying to write. Sometimes I’ll write two or three sentences, then get distracted by something and the next thing I know an hour has gone by and I haven’t written a thing. I’m also plagued by an imaginary demon named Mr. Knotgudenov. He sits on my shoulder, watching me write, saying “Nope. That’s not good enough. You’ll never be good enough.” I hate that little guy. I’m getting better at keeping him in his cage, but sometimes he still gets out.

3.) How did you feel upon publication of your first completed project?

A.) The first thing I felt was amazement—wow, did I really do this? After that came the feeling of
accomplishment—yes, I really did this! Then I got nervous—what if people hate it? Those three feelings are still with me. They’re stuck in a loop in my head.

4.) What is more important to you, story, or character? Why?

A.) The story. I find it easier to mold the character(s) to fit the story than the other way around.

5.) What is a typical day like in your world?

A.) I wake up and stumble, zombie­like, to the coffee maker. That has to come first, or nothing else gets done! After coffee, I take care of my three cats and two turtles. Then I start up my laptop, check my email and social media accounts, then open Word. From there, anything could happen. I usually write—or try to—for about four hours a day, sometimes more on a good day. (when I’m not battling Mr. Knotgudenov, that is).

C. L. Hernandez Links:

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/clhernandez

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/C-L-Hernandez-965857863465246/timeline/

Website: www.cindylouhernandez.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CL_Hernandez_

Email: authorc.l.hernandez@gmail.com

Win your very own  horror library.

Enter for your chance to win an electronic horror library that contains the following ebooks. Simply tweet to your friends about the Halloween Horror Author Countdown, enter as often as you want. On October 31st one lucky winner will be chosen at random to receive a library containing the following titles.


Blood Lily by Jenny Allen
The Misadventures of Bob by Jaime Johnesee
A Jar of Fingers by C.L. Hernendez
A Coin for Charon by Dallas Mullican
The Human Condition by Mark Taylor
Spook Lights by Eden Royce
In the Hands of the Unknown A.E. Hellstrom
Winchester Over by Dave Lund
The Complex by J Rudolph
The Dead Song Legend by Jay Wilburn
Zombie and Chainsaws by Mike Evans
Flight of Destiny by Francis H Powell
Through a Mirror Darkly by Kevin Lucia
Awfully Apetizing by Leod D Fritz
Darkly Wood by Max Power
Family Reunion by P. Mark DeBryan
Walking in the Rain by William Allen 

There is more to come and the list will be updated as books are added.

There are several ways to enter to win.

Tweet the following message:

Have you read A Jar of Fingers? 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/ B00YB244AA
#2015HHAC #BookBoost

Don't forget to use the hashtag #2015HHAC so your entries can be tracked.

Go to my Facebook fan page, like and share the daily post about the countdown.
https://www.facebook.com/RichardSchiver

Comment on any or all of the countdown posts by answering the following question:

What kind of horror do you like?

During the month we will track everyone's activity, assigning each action a number and at the end of the countdown a random number will be drawn. The person whose name appears next to that number will be the winner.

There may also be daily contests as a couple of authors have expressed a desire to hold smaller giveaways on the day of their post. So check back often and enter as many times as you like by tweeting about the contest, don't forget to use the hashtag #2015HHAC so your tweet will be counted.