Ask the Author: H. Truax
Answered Questions (6)
H. Truax
The idea for my most recent book came from imagining what would happen if a fun, long-awaited girls’ trip took a dark turn. I loved the contrast of close friendships, Southern humor, vacation excitement, and a mystery that slowly pulls everyone’s secrets into the open. Once Gayle, Carol, and Lynn came to life, the story became less about the murder itself and more about friendship, loyalty, guilt, and how well we really know the people around us.
H. Truax
I get inspired by the little things—a setting that feels mysterious, a conversation I overhear, a character who won’t leave my mind, or a question I can’t stop thinking about. For me, inspiration often starts with atmosphere: a Southern street, an old friendship, a secret someone is trying to bury. Once I know what a character wants and what they’re hiding, the story begins to come alive.
H. Truax
I’m currently working on Book 2 in The October Girls Mysteries series. Gayle, Carol, and Lynn aren’t finished getting into trouble yet, and this next mystery brings a new setting, new secrets, and another case that tests their friendship in unexpected ways. I’m excited to continue their story and give readers more Southern charm, suspense, humor, and twists.
H. Truax
My advice for aspiring writers is to finish the story. Don’t worry about making every sentence perfect the first time through. Get the draft written, even if it’s messy, even if you doubt it, even if you have to fix half of it later. You can edit a rough draft, but you can’t edit a blank page. Trust your characters, keep showing up, and remember that every writer starts with one sentence at a time.
H. Truax
I deal with writer’s block by stepping away just long enough to let the story breathe. Sometimes that means taking a walk, rereading an earlier chapter, or asking myself what secret a character is still hiding. With mysteries, I’ve learned that writer’s block usually means something in the story isn’t being honest yet—a motive needs sharpening, a clue needs planting, or a character is trying to go in a different direction than I planned. Once I find that missing piece, the words usually start moving again.
H. Truax
The best thing about being a writer is creating a world that didn’t exist before and inviting readers to step inside it. I love building characters with secrets, friendships with history, and stories that make someone say, “Just one more chapter.” There’s something special about taking an idea from your imagination and turning it into something another person can feel, question, and remember.
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