Grumpy the Gator

In Grumpy the Gator, a group of children playing encounter a grumpy alligator. The story teaches children to always keep a safe distance from animals in the wild, and to find an adult if they see an alligator.

Grumpy the Gator

Its Always A Story With The Hendersons

Meet Author Hope Bolinger

Hope Bolinger is a literary agent at C.Y.L.E. and a graduate of Taylor University’s professional writing program. More than 500 of her works have been featured in various publications ranging from Writer’s Digest to Crosswalk.com. She has worked for various publishing companies, magazines, newspapers, and literary agencies and has edited the work of authors such as Jerry B. Jenkins and Michelle Medlock Adams. Her column “Hope’s Hacks,” tips and tricks to avoid writer’s block, reaches 6,000+ readers weekly and is featured monthly on Cyle Young’s blog. Her modern-day Daniel, Blaze, (Illuminate YA) released in June, and they contracted the sequel Den for July 2020. Her YA superhero chat fiction “Dear Hero” is set to release January 2021. Find out more about her here.

When did the writing journey begin for you?
Technically, I’ve always been writing. I think my mom has three-page books I scrawled back in first grade buried somewhere in her garage. With that being said, I never considered writing a novel until I reached high school. My best friend was in the habit of writing them, and I wanted to be cool like my friend, so I wrote.

Do you have any favorite characters in the stories you write?
Oooh, tricky. I’ll boil down my favorite characters in the next few releases/already published books, because I have so many favorites.
Blaze – Hannah. I love her morbid energy and the face she doesn’t care about what anyone thinks.
Den – Still Hannah 🙂
Dear Hero – I love Kevin. He’s a ridiculous theater nerd/frat boy, and everyone needs a good sidekick.
Dear Henchman – Liam. I don’t want to give away too much, but basically he’s insane and I love him and want to marry him.
Vision (fingers crossed, it’s at pub board now) – Still Hannah

Do you dream about your characters?
I wish. Instead I get nightmares about being back in high school and teeth falling out.

Have you based any characters on real life people?
I don’t know how libelous I can get in this question. In the Blaze trilogy, no (unless you count the historical figures of Daniel and his three friends). In other books … quite possibly 😉

Snack or no snack while writing?
I usually take breaks after every 1,000 words, so snacking does occur.

What is your favorite time of day and why?
9:36. It’s my favorite multiple of nine. I love the number nine, but don’t get me started on why. We have limited page space.

Thank you Hope Bolinger!

Have a blessed day,
Melissa



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30 Comments
  • Jill Weatherholt
    Posted at 08:40h, 20 July Reply

    Thanks for introducing us to Hope, Melissa. It’s always nice to meet new writers.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 12:41h, 20 July Reply

      You are welcome Jill. Hope is truly talented. 🙂

    • Hope Bolinger
      Posted at 00:46h, 21 July Reply

      Was so excited to be on here! Thanks for reading the interview!

  • Nancy E. Head
    Posted at 14:29h, 20 July Reply

    Great piece on Hope Bolinger. She edited my, to date, yet unpublished children’s book. I’m much more hopeful of publication now. Good choice!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:33h, 20 July Reply

      I look forward to reading your children’s book Nancy. Hope is a great person. 🙂

    • Hope Bolinger
      Posted at 00:47h, 21 July Reply

      Nancy, so glad you read this! It was a pleasure to edit your book. I can’t wait to be able to hold it in my hands ❤️

  • Gail Johnson
    Posted at 15:46h, 20 July Reply

    Good morning, Melissa and Hope! Great interview.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 15:59h, 20 July Reply

      Thank you for stopping by. Have a great week Gail! 🙂

    • Hope Bolinger
      Posted at 00:47h, 21 July Reply

      Gail, thank you so much for giving it a read!

  • Ava Pennington
    Posted at 20:09h, 20 July Reply

    Good to meet you, Hope!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 21:05h, 20 July Reply

      Thanks for stopping by Ava. Have a blessed week! 🙂

    • Hope Bolinger
      Posted at 00:48h, 21 July Reply

      Great to meet you as well, Ava!

  • colarnold
    Posted at 23:00h, 20 July Reply

    Nice to meet you, Hope! Thanks for sharing with us 🙂

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 23:17h, 20 July Reply

      Glad you stopped by. Have a great week! 🙂

    • Hope Bolinger
      Posted at 00:48h, 21 July Reply

      Nice to meet you as well! Thank you for stopping by!

  • jabez1288
    Posted at 11:49h, 21 July Reply

    Thanks for featuring Hope in your blog. She is a literary superstar! Her books, coaching, mentoring, and other life pursuits all contribute to the amazing example she is to so many people! ~ Ben C.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 12:14h, 21 July Reply

      Hope is definitely a talented person and yes, amazing example to many people. 🙂

  • debwilson2
    Posted at 15:24h, 21 July Reply

    I enjoyed meeting Hope. Thank Melissa.

    • Hope Bolinger
      Posted at 15:41h, 21 July Reply

      Thank you so much for stopping by!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 15:43h, 21 July Reply

      Thank you for reading and learning about Hope Bolinger. 🙂

  • Yvonne
    Posted at 13:45h, 22 July Reply

    Thanks for introducing us to an author worth watching and following.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:27h, 22 July Reply

      You are welcome. I look forward to reading more from Hope. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.

    • Hope Bolinger
      Posted at 13:39h, 23 July Reply

      This made my day! It is wonderful to connect with you!

      • Yvonne
        Posted at 13:43h, 23 July Reply

        You are very welcome. Good luck and God bless

  • ordinarilyextraordinarymom
    Posted at 14:19h, 22 July Reply

    I love Hope. She is such a great writer.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:28h, 22 July Reply

      I agree. Hope is very special. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. 🙂

    • Hope Bolinger
      Posted at 13:40h, 23 July Reply

      Ahh thank you ❤️ This made my day

  • Jeanne Takenaka
    Posted at 02:03h, 23 July Reply

    Melissa, it was so fun to read and meet Hope! Thanks for sharing this interview. She sounds like a fun lady. 🙂

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 11:37h, 23 July Reply

      Thank you for reading and commenting. 🙂 Have a blessed day!

    • Hope Bolinger
      Posted at 13:41h, 23 July Reply

      Jeanne, it’s great to meet you as well! Thank you so much for stopping by!

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