Meet Lynne Hugo | Novelist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lynne Hugo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lynne, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I’m from New England, specifically Connecticut, and lucky enough to attend a truly excellent public high school. My English and writing teachers really encouraged me in that they both told me I was a talented writer and challenged me to improve by being both unsparing and sophisticated in their criticism and suggestions. They also prompted me to aim high in my college applications, and I’m so glad I did because my undergraduate and graduate educations have made all the difference in my life and career. I also remember my mother encouraging me to write and complimenting my work–and in my house, compliments didn’t come often so I’m sure that influenced me!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I write realistic novels portraying the struggles, failures, humor, and hope of close relationships in today’s complex world. What specifically do I mean by “today’s complex world? Well, in each of my novels one or more of the characters is struggling with some aspect of a contemporary social issue. For example, in THE TESTAMENT OF HAROLD’S WIFE, it was trophy hunting. In THE BOOK OF CAROLSUE, it was immigration via our southern border. And in my latest, THE LANGUAGE OF KIN, which will come out on July 11, 2023, it’s animal welfare (as well as the human-animal connection. What I’m proudest of is how hard I work to avoid being a partisan, but to underpin my stories with solid research, well-hidden in the drama, but keeping it fair and true. Characters are allowed to have strong opinions and stances in my work but there always has to be some credible opposition. I assume my readers are able to think critically and independently–and prefer to!

My first two books were poetry, but I found that I always had a story buried in the poems and that led me into separate short stories until soon characters took over and wanted more and more space and the ten books since have been full-length. I love writing dialog, especially, but the crafted language of poetry was really good training for describing people, emotion, and environments. Another factor that I’m sure helped my writing is that I’m also a licensed clinical therapist. Years of close listening to people and watching their body language and faces as they discuss what is bringing them pain or relief or joy has fine tuned my ear to how people express themselves in their life-changing experiences.

My aim is to write novels with which readers can identify, that they will want to think about, share and discuss because they genuinely enjoyed it.

I think the most rewarding aspect of being a novelist is that all experiences, good and bad, are grist for the mill. Everything I see, hear, read, watch, etc., is something to be closely observed, examined, and learned from as an aspect or example of the human experience. I can always ask myself–is this different in some way? How can I use this to deepen my understanding? What can I learn from this and use in my fiction? Not ever, of course, to tell or show someone else’s experience–which I would consider unethical–but perhaps to depict nuance of emotion, or color, or scenery or action in a new way? Can I describe how X’s eyes change when she is surprised, the way Y person just did it in real life? What does that tone of voice remind me of? Is there a metaphor that captures that?

I love that nothing I experience needs to be chalked up as as waste. I can mark it “save” in my memory files and sometime, in some chapter in some novel, I’ll use it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oxford is such a pretty town! hanging baskets of flowers line our main street three seasons a year as do trees lit with small white lights year round. Red brick streets and wide sidewalks with many benches for people watching invite strollers to our small local shops and cafes, plus a large park with a bandstand–where we have popular free concerts every Thursday night all summer. Children love the splash pool that’s also there. Of course, Oxford is also home to all the offerings of a major university, Miami of Ohio, so especially fall to spring, there are a whole variety of cultural and athletic events anyone can attend.

I especially need to mention that we have miles and miles of bike and pedestrian trails in Oxford, plus gorgeous foot trails through our very beautiful natural areas. In the spring, the wildflowers are especially spectacular. There are maps available at some of the trailhead parking lots; for example, the one just off Route 73 opposite Retreat Lane (where there’s also a sign for the historic DeWitt Cabin.)

And there is also great hiking, as well as boat rental available, at Hueston Woods State Park, which is also in Oxford. Campsites and cabin rentals, too, plus a lodge with a restaurant and swimming pool.

Finally, and not to be missed, the Oxford Community Arts Center. This vibrant home to many gifted visual and musical artists who have studios there is also home to theatrical productions, concerts, movie nights, and a host of family-centered activities. On the second Friday night of each month, the artists have open studios. Free hors d’oeuvres and wine are provided and visitors are invited to browse around and talk to the artists about what they’re doing, and look at works in progress.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Tara Gavin, my first editor! She has been such a help and such a consistent, caring support. I truly can’t thank her enough. I’ve learned a great deal about the publishing world from Stacy Testa of Writers House Literary Agency. Kristina Makansi brought me into Amphorae Publishing Group and now Lisa Miller has become my editor there. They have both given enormously and generously of their time and talent. I have dear author friends who offer feedback on works in progress as well as tea (well, okay, maybe wine) and sympathy when publishing becomes overwhelming–as it does for all of us.

Website: Https://www.LynneHugo.com

Instagram: LynneHugoAuthor

Facebook: LynnevHugovReader’s Page

Image Credits
Kensington Books
Amphorae Publishing Corporation
Alan S. deCourcy (Aldec Photography)