 | THE RUBBER BAND What do Roadkill Rocky, Bossy Becca, and Pinhead Eddie have in common? Nothing. A rag-tag bunch of elementary school kids come together to form a rock and roll band and enter the Sun Valley talent contest. Will they be strong enough to overcome prejudice and see the dream of winning through, or will an unforeseen medical emergency break the bond of the band? Genre: Middle Grade Release date: July 31, 2020 Click here to get your copy! |
Interview with Christy
#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
As a teacher, I watched a third-grade rock band perform “Born to be Wild” in a school talent show. I had so much fun enjoying their performance, I asked the Rubber Band to play at my 50th birthday party. I couldn’t shake the idea of what a great middle grade book this would make. Correcting papers one day, my eyes wandered to a forgotten rubber band on the floor. It was then I connected the dots to come up with the main premise for The Rubber Band of Eddie getting in trouble for shooting a rubber band at Becca, then sitting in the principal’s office and seeing the contest sign.
As a teacher, I watched a third-grade rock band perform “Born to be Wild” in a school talent show. I had so much fun enjoying their performance, I asked the Rubber Band to play at my 50th birthday party. I couldn’t shake the idea of what a great middle grade book this would make. Correcting papers one day, my eyes wandered to a forgotten rubber band on the floor. It was then I connected the dots to come up with the main premise for The Rubber Band of Eddie getting in trouble for shooting a rubber band at Becca, then sitting in the principal’s office and seeing the contest sign.
| #2. What drew you to write in this particular genre? I was an elementary school teacher for 12 years then quit to work as a substitute to support my writing career. I am unemployed now because of COVID. When I was working, I derived my characters and the outrageous situations from the many children I encountered over the years. It’s not hard to describe characters or choose them when I have yearbooks full of faces and stories, some of which actually happened to me. |  |
My favorite genre is middle grade. I have seen firsthand how children fall in love with reading, can’t get enough of books and actually walk around at recess with open books in their hands! This genre is full of surprises, some magical, some realistic, and is short enough to read in a day and write in a month. I grew up thinking when I became a writer that I would write romance novels. In writing middle grade novels, I’m encouraged that the process doesn’t take as long as a 400-page novel does. Middle grade has become my favorite because secretly, I am still a little girl bottled up in an adult and this genre allows me to indulge my inner child and fulfill my second-grade dreams of being an author.
#3. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
My favorite character is Eddie, the good-hearted kid who never gets in trouble but when he does, he finds a way to make good happen out of it. When Eddie is hospitalized with a life-changing disease, he thinks he’ll have to give up the contest dream until his band friends tell him elsewise. I was diagnosed with Eddie’s disease 30 years ago and thought it was the end of the world. Before I left the hospital, I determined I would never let it get the best of me. Later in life, my son was diagnosed at eleven. Eddie represents my son and will always remain my favorite character, although Roadkill is catching up. I fell in love with his character writing the second book in the Rubber Band series, The Rubber Band Stretches- Rocky’s Story, due out early 2021.
My favorite character is Eddie, the good-hearted kid who never gets in trouble but when he does, he finds a way to make good happen out of it. When Eddie is hospitalized with a life-changing disease, he thinks he’ll have to give up the contest dream until his band friends tell him elsewise. I was diagnosed with Eddie’s disease 30 years ago and thought it was the end of the world. Before I left the hospital, I determined I would never let it get the best of me. Later in life, my son was diagnosed at eleven. Eddie represents my son and will always remain my favorite character, although Roadkill is catching up. I fell in love with his character writing the second book in the Rubber Band series, The Rubber Band Stretches- Rocky’s Story, due out early 2021.
 | #4. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book? I hope my readers will dare to dream big dreams and work hard to achieve them no matter what comes their way. Eddie almost gives up taking the band to the contest he dreamed of winning when he is diagnosed with a lifelong disease. Instead, he is inspired by his friends to keep working on the dream to see it through. We are given dreams for a purpose, to become who God gifted us to be. Never let your dream go. I believe when we work toward fulfilling our dreams, we find our path in life, especially if we are guided by God. |
#5. How did you name your characters?
Some of my characters are named after actual students. Some I made up, like Roadkill Rocky, yet others are derived from my childhood.
Some of my characters are named after actual students. Some I made up, like Roadkill Rocky, yet others are derived from my childhood.
#6. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
I was able to connect with my second-grade teacher, Mrs. Olson when my hometown Thief River Falls, Minnesota paper wrote a feature article on me. Mrs. Olson inspired me to be a writer when I won first place in a writing contest in her class. She told me I was destined to be a writer and I never forgot those words that gave my little heart a dream to pursue.
I was able to connect with my second-grade teacher, Mrs. Olson when my hometown Thief River Falls, Minnesota paper wrote a feature article on me. Mrs. Olson inspired me to be a writer when I won first place in a writing contest in her class. She told me I was destined to be a writer and I never forgot those words that gave my little heart a dream to pursue.
#7. Tell us a little about yourself, your family, friends.
I live in Northern California, married to the love of my life for 31 years, I have three adult children, two rescue dogs and one diabetic alert dog, Aiden who has saved my life countless times by smelling my blood sugar dropping and alerting me before it becomes dangerous.
I live in Northern California, married to the love of my life for 31 years, I have three adult children, two rescue dogs and one diabetic alert dog, Aiden who has saved my life countless times by smelling my blood sugar dropping and alerting me before it becomes dangerous.
| #8. If you could change one thing in your life, past or present, what would it be? I would have started my writing career sooner. But all things happen according to God’s perfect timing for those who love Him and with this series, His hand has definitely been in it from the beginning. #9. What one piece of advice would you like to give readers? Dreams are God-given and worth chasing. Never give up on them. |  |
#10. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
Romans 8:28 God works all thing together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. When I was discouraged in the hospital with a diagnosis of diabetes, I cried out to God and the Bible opened to Isaiah 41:9-10, telling me not to be afraid, and that God would give me strength and hold me with His righteous right hand.
Romans 8:28 God works all thing together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. When I was discouraged in the hospital with a diagnosis of diabetes, I cried out to God and the Bible opened to Isaiah 41:9-10, telling me not to be afraid, and that God would give me strength and hold me with His righteous right hand.
More from Christy
Noodles is the reason I am a writer. Noodles was my childhood dog’s name. I loved her oodles and oodles. She was a dachshund, not a poodle. I often drew her in my doodles. (Can you tell I’m an elementary school teacher?) A few short years ago, when I was in second grade, I entered a class writing contest. My story was five sentences long but won first place. The teacher told me I was destined to be a writer. That encouragement never left me. I grew up in the small town of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, and always loved writing in school, especially fiction. I wrote stories for my friends and for myself to create situations I could only dream of. As an adult, I moved to California, determined to live for God. He led me back to college where I fell in love with writing again. I won a state-wide award for my feature article in the JC’s newspaper, confirming my heart’s desire. Fast forward through marriage, kids, and a teaching job—my friends begged me to write about a recurring night dream I had, which was like watching the ending of a suspense thriller movie. Through writing conferences, critique groups and late nights, I wrote Palms of Death by starting at the end and working my way backwards. After rewriting it several times, I self-published it in 2018. At my first major writers’ conference, the Lord undeniably called me to write. So, the real reason I write is not because of Noodles, but because I want to always be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and wholeheartedly follow His direction. That’s my story, just a bit of the whole kit and caboodle.
 Christy Hoss | Christy caught the writing bug in second grade after winning a prize for a five-page story about her dog, Noodles. Mrs. Olson told her she was destined to be a writer and that dream never left her thoughts. After teaching elementary school for fifteen years, Christy fulfilled her childhood dream with her debut novel, The Rubber Band. She substitute teaches to support her writing career, deriving writing inspiration from the students and situations she encounters. At age twenty-five, she was diagnosed with type-one diabetes but refuses to let it limit her. Her diabetic alert dog, Aiden, has saved her life uncountable times and will appear in future installments of The Rubber Band. Christy lives by this equation: Living + diabetes = LIVE-abetes. |
| Christy is a freelance editor and writes children’s Bible stories for Focus on the Family ClubHouse magazine and has written articles for Guideposts. She is a featured speaker for conferences, retreats and special events. Christy lives in Northern California with Kevin, the love of her life. They have three grown children. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Christy is giving away the grand prize of $25 Amazon gift card!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
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Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 20
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, February 21 (Author Interview)
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 21
Texas Book-aholic, February 22
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 23
Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 24 (Author Interview)
Sara Jane Jacobs, February 25
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 26
Wishful Endings, February 27 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, February 27
Inklings and notions, February 28
deb’s Book Review, March 1
Locks, Hooks and Books, March 2
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 3
Artistic Nobody, March 4 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
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