Ask the Author: A.L. Heard

“Ask me anything about my books and characters, hockey, or writing in general <3” A.L. Heard

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You are an outstanding writer. I enjoyed both The Trade Deadline and Hockey Bois. I was wondering if you might consider a 2nd expanded edition where Brady’s Story was integrated into Hockey Bois? Brady’s story feels like a necessary part of the narrative, not merely an adjunct novella. Thanks again for your excellent work!!!!!
A.L. Heard Thank you! It's funny you mention that. When I first wrote Hockey Bois and all the expanded content, I did joke about collecting it all in a sort of "Director's Cut" where it's integrated in one edition. I actually tried that a little when the second edition of Hockey Bois came out earlier this year, but because of the POV shifts and the chapter lengths, it wasn't as easily done as said.

Honestly, I would be more likely to do a sequel from Brady's POV, going through scenes from his childhood/college days, some of the Hockey Bois canon, and then moving him and Nick beyond the epilogue to their wedding. The main problem with that is Brady's headspace isn't one I like to occupy for long, especially when I'm dipping into those pre-Nick days. That and I don't like sequels lol

tl;dr ideas exist for Hockey Bois, but they're very much on the back burner for the time being
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What’s the best thing about being a writer?
A.L. Heard Getting to explore new worlds, dynamics, and characters. The brainstorming part is the first part, like plotting out a trip, and bouncing ideas around with alpha readers is one of my favorite parts of writing. The actual writing is a little harder, but it's fun to see how the original plan changes and evolves, like I'm discovering the story as I meet the characters and their world.
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Literally finished the book a couple of hours ago. Loved it. Of course the hockey stuff was awesome. You are one of few who actually names real teams & players. Liked that the love story wasn't silly quick. It's not realistic to meet for the first time at the rink; fall into bed; declare love the next week; move in the next month while planning a wedding. Strong relationships & love take time. New one coming soon?
A.L. Heard Thank you!! I'm glad you enjoyed it - I'm always nervous to hear what people thought. I do worry it's a bit too long, but mixing the hockey threads with the romance threads and having both feel realistic at least meant a long timeline (because I agree - love at first sight etc is a fun concept but is hard to make it feel authentic).

I am working on a new project currently, though I'm still very early in it. It's a romance set in Victorian England between James Willoby and Lord Haywood Keating. I post sneak peeks of lines on my Twitter and ko-fi account as I work my way through.
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Forgot. Hub is from Pittsburgh area. (He has zero clues about hockey. I'm pretty sure that if he got hit with a puck, he wouldn't even know what it is. My dad taught me to play when I was 9 on a pond w/my bro's old stick.) I got to "yinz" and burst out laughing. I said yinz to him and he rolled his eyes. He and his friends & family don't say it except as a joke. How do you know so much about the Caps?
A.L. Heard I actually grew up in Maryland and only moved to Pittsburgh recently! I am something of an oddity here when it comes to sports. I have only heard a handful of genuine "yinz" usages, mostly I hear it as a joke or someone trying to sound Super Pittsburgh™ (with varying results).
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Just started Hockey Bois. I'm from Boston, now live in DC. Bruins & Caps fan.) Have to tell you this story. I have a friend who became a hockey fan about 10 yrs ago when another friend brought him to a Caps game. He got season tickets. Then he convinced that fan to let him join his adult rec team. They put him in goal because he didn't know how to skate. Do you know him? lol Looking forward to next book.
A.L. Heard Haha that's actually perfect! They say that with siblings, the youngest one gets forced to be a goalie - kinda sounds like what happened to your friend.

Bruins & Caps fan? Oof that first round series must have been hard to watch... though good luck against the Islanders! And thank you so much for the story!
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Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?
A.L. Heard For Hockey Bois, I wanted to combine two things: romance and hockey. Because of my own experience playing and watching recreational adult hockey, that seemed like the best way to frame it. Growing up in Maryland but moving to Pittsburgh also helped me come up with the main characters and expand on the little nugget of an idea.
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How do you get inspired to write?
A.L. Heard A fun premise, an interesting combination of prompts, a character or world I want to explore... It's really an idea that drags me in and makes me want to write it out and give it life.
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What are you currently working on?
A.L. Heard During both Camp NaNo in April and later for NaNo in November I am working on adapting a short story into a novel-length work. It's a Victorian era romance between my new characters James Willoby and Haywood Keating.

I am also working on a short story for the anthology "Add Magic to Taste" through Duck Prints Press.
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