Interview with Hannah Hood Lucero

Today we have the privilege of hearing from author Hannah Hood Lucero. She writes military romantic suspense that includes brave topics. Welcome to the Brave Blog, Hannah!

Let’s jump in.

Sarah: How would you define bravery? What is it? Where does it come from?

Hannah: Bravery is the courage to say and/or do what is right and necessary, even in the face
of danger or adversity. It comes from our Creator, God. He made us in his image and
has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of sound judgment.

Sarah: Well put. What is a book that has really impacted you? How did it change you? What do you
think the author did that made it impactful?
Hannah: There are so many books I could talk about here. Most recently, I would have to say
that Jamie Ogle’s Of Love and Treason has impacted my faith and changed my view
of the early Church that stood under the persecution of Rome. Ogle brought life and
color to a period of our history that many Christians don’t know much about. It is so
edifying, reminding the reader about the awe-inspiring attributes of God, the bravery
and commitment of the early Church, and that even when it looks like the enemy has
won . . . God prevails and is glorified forever.

Sarah: That’s one of my favorites of this year. You write a very different genre than Jamie Ogle. Why do you write military romantic suspense? Did you always want to write in that genre?

Hannah: Honestly, I never pictured myself writing in a specific genre until after I sat down and
wrote the young adult novel that had been in my heart for twenty years. I thought I
only had that one story in me. It wasn’t until months later when I was driving down
the road, jamming out to some good music with my kids, that a side character from
that book came to mind. In an instant, her entire life story sort of blossomed in my
mind. I didn’t know it would be military romantic suspense until I started writing it
and needed a swoony Marine to round the whole thing out. Then I was hooked. The
military aspect is just what I know. I’d love to someday branch out and write other
types of suspense (CIA, FBI, etc.) but those would require a lot more research.
Research is not my fav. Ha!

Sarah: That’s so interesting. Thanks for sharing. What is your author tagline? Why did you choose it?

Hannah: My tagline is “Faith filled fiction with a sprinkling of southern snark.” It actually took
a while to come up with that. I’m not the one who thought of it. Maybe it was Latisha
Sexton and Storm Shultz? People way smarter and quippier than I am definitely had a
hand in it. I love how it shows readers that they’ll be getting some sass and grit with
their Christian fiction.

Sarah: What are 3 books you’re looking forward to reading this year?

Hannah: Oh, man. I’m gonna go with re-reading for a couple. I’m so blessed to do lots of beta
reading and critiquing for fellow authors. The downside is that I know the early drafts
of a story and if I don’t go back and read the published work, I’m really missing out!

First, I can’t wait to read Bram Baxter Marries the Wrong Sister by Latisha Sexton. I
was the FIRST person to read that one (ages ago) and I can’t wait to see what Latisha
did with it. Next, I am ridiculously excited to read The Raven by Carrie Cotten. I’ve
read it twice already (it is SO good), but I know she’s made it even better. And lastly,
I am hoping to get at least an early draft of B.R. Goodwin’s third What Remains
dystopian novel. She isn’t planning to release it until next year, but I cannot wait that
long to get the rest of the story. I know where she lives. I’ll go knock on her door if I
have to . . .

Sarah: A threat that’s a bit scarier when you write suspense. Haha! Which of your characters is most like yourself? Which is most different?

Hannah: Oh, this is easy. I think most authors start out writing themselves. Evans Sutton from
Cathey’s Creek Road is me. She’s way more mature than I was at seventeen, but
basically all of her characteristics are me. My middle name is Evans. The story is
based off of a real friendship I had my junior year of high school and many of the
characters are loosely based on real people from that time in my life. It was so much
fun to write!

The character I’m least like is definitely Iris Sullivan, from my upcoming November
release, The Glory of Light. She’s a complete stunner. An expert in mixed martial
arts, a Marine, and an orphan who rose above her circumstances and never let
hardships break her. She has an unconquerable spirit. I’m just not that cool.

Sarah: I know a lot of people who would argue that point, but we’ll move on. Which book of yours was the hardest to write?

Hannah: Crossfire at the Precipice, third in my Sons of Vigilance series takes the cake. It was
the hardest to write and to develop. For a time, I really thought about tossing the
whole thing. But it was the one that meant the most to me. It was my chance to shine
a light on human trafficking. In the end, I realized it was a spiritual battle. I asked my
Christian Mommy Writer network to pray for me and for the book, and then it was
finished within forty-eight hours of those wonderful women interceding. A great
reminder that prayer is powerful!

Sarah: I love that. If you could travel anywhere for a week, where would you go? Who would you take
with you?

Hannah: Is Narnia an option? Ha!
For real, I would go to Turkey with Latisha Sexton and Carrie Cotten. Latisha and I
are too chicken to actually do this (Carrie is a wild card) . . . but it would be a dream
come true! We have been totally obsessed with a Turkish romcom for a couple of
years. The vibrant culture, food, and breathtaking scenery of that country are almost
enough to outweigh the “exercise increased caution” travel advisories due to
terrorism and arbitrary detentions. Almost.

Sarah: Narnia it is! How about another shout out. Who has helped you grow the most as a writer?

Hannah: Another no brainer! Jennifer Q. Hunt. She’s my developmental editor. I have learned
SO much from her. Big picture stuff that should be obvious, and tiny technical things
that she’s learned through her own experiences . . . mostly she breaks things down
into simple terms that my four-year-old could probably grasp. I need her to do this.
Most recently, she drilled it into my head that a “compliment”—with an i— is
something I like to hear. For seven manuscripts I’ve been writing
“complement”—with an e—every single time. chuckle

Sarah: What is the biggest piece of advice you’d give to someone who wants to write their first
book?

Hannah: JUST DO IT! You can’t edit a blank page, honey! Even if it’s a complete dumpster
fire. Even if you take decades to finish it. Even if you don’t think anyone else cares
about your story . . . write it! Once you do that, find critique partners and a
developmental editor. Yes, you need them. No, you should not try to publish that first
draft. No matter how great you think it is, it will be better with that extra TLC! Go
into it knowing that you’ll get constructive criticism . . . and maybe some plain old
heart-wrenching criticism. But keep your eye on the prize and don’t get discouraged.
You don’t want just any version of your story out there, you want the best version
possible. Working with seasoned authors makes all the difference! (I went overboard,
didn’t I?)

Sarah: Great advice! Thanks so much for spending some time with us. Many blessings on all your endeavors!

Hannah: Thanks so much for having me on! It was fun and I hope enjoyable for everyone else! Bless
y’all!

About the author

HANNAH HOOD LUCERO is a wife, mom of three, Army veteran, and self-proclaimed word-slinger. While it is the brackish waters of the Mississippi Sound that flow through her veins, western North Carolina holds her heart. Her love for storytelling is the fruit of a lifetime of cultivation in the vibrant cultures of the Gulf Coast and the Blue Ridge Mountains. She currently resides in South Mississippi with her husband and three children on their ten-acre homestead. They have a dog, thirteen chickens, and at least fifty species of mosquitos, depending on the month of the year. When she isn’t in the garden, at the stove, or homeschooling, she can be found at her computer—just follow the sound of frenetic typing. Her motto is, “Draft, edit, read, repeat.”