Interview Lisa Mangum

I am pleased to host Lisa Mangum, author of The Hourglass Door Trilogy.

Read my reviews of her books here and here.

An article I wrote for the Syracuse Islander can be found here.

Lisa Mangum has loved and worked with books ever since elementary school, when she volunteered at the school library during recess. Her first paying job was shelving books at the Sandy Library. She worked for five years at Waldenbooks while she attended the University of Utah, graduating with honors with a degree in English. An avid reader of all genres, she has worked in the publishing department for Deseret Book since 1997. Besides books, Lisa loves movies, sunsets, spending time with her family, trips to Disneyland, and vanilla ice cream topped with fresh raspberries. She lives in Taylorsville with her husband, Tracy.

What are your emotions now that the trilogy is finished and in stores?

I’m really feeling a mix of joy and sadness now that the trilogy is finished. Writing The Forgotten Locket was the most difficult of the three books to write, and it really stretched me as an author to make that book all that I wanted it to be. When I finished it, I was, “Yay, I’m done!” followed closely by, “Wait—I’m done?” I’d spent years thinking about and writing about and dreaming about Abby and Dante—I couldn’t quite believe I was done. That I wasn’t going to wake up in the morning and go play in that story anymore. Now that the book is available and I’ve started receiving feedback from readers, I’m overjoyed that the response has been so positive.

What do you hope readers will take away from the trilogy?

Two things, really. One, I hope readers can appreciate Abby’s example of being a strong, independent person. A person who makes decisions that matter. Decisions that change things. Because, really, when you think about it, all of our decisions should matter. Our decisions should change the world around us—or the world inside of us—and, I hope, make that world a more beautiful place to live. The other thing I hope readers take away from the series is a desire to write their own story. I’ve heard from several readers who have been inspired to start writing, or to pick it up again, and I think that is wonderful! One reason why I started writing in the first place was because I had been inspired by my favorite authors, so to now be a part of that process—however small it might be—is an honor.

Did the trilogy end as you had envisioned it at the beginning of the series? Were there surprises?

Yes and no. From the beginning I knew the story would have a “happily ever after” ending, but there were certainly a lot of surprises along the way. Zo, in particular, did not want to play by the outline I had drafted, and his character arc ended up being very different than what I had planned. Even Abby and Dante had some specific things they wanted to do in the book that I had not planned on. That’s part of what makes writing so much fun—when you can relinquish control to the character and see what happens next

What next?  Do you have plans for future books?

I do. Up next, I want to work on a stand-alone, contemporary YA novel about Sam and Sara. The story will cover just a single day—the first day they meet. I’m interested in doing a lot of deep character work as well as lots of dialogue. They’re all ready chattering in my ear about the story; I just need to find the time to write it all down.

What do you like to eat while reading/writing?

Oh, I don’t eat while I’m reading or writing. Food just gets in the way, and I don’t want crumbs to fall in my laptop. But I love to celebrate a good writing day with a delicious steak for dinner and perhaps some chocolate for dessert.

Thanks Lisa!

I'd love to know, (please comment below) what authors have inspired you?