Beyond the Pages: An Inside Look at the Mind and Motivation of T.R. Hill
- BirdieMama
- Aug 2
- 5 min read
Small town Oklahoman author, T.R. Hill, already has two titles under her belt for the year including Deep Down the Rabbit Hole and Dirty Little Secret, and her third title, Check Yes, Juliet coming soon. Let's dig into who T.R. Hill is and how she does it all.
Who is T.R. Hill?
I met the lovely T.R. Hill via social media, which has increasingly becoming the main way for many of us to meet and connect with others in our social circles. A few months ago, I posted an author callout on Threads looking to connect with authors who were interested in participating in a short interview with me. Interestingly, it was during this callout that I came across T.R. Hill, and after a short exchange, we decided to connect further and arrange this interview. She graduated with a degree in English, a choice that reflects her lifelong passion for literature and the written word. This foundation has equipped her with a strong understanding of literary techniques and narrative structures, allowing her to hone her craft effectively.
Throughout her career, T.R. has worked in several areas of the writing community. Through this work she has gained valuable knowledge and experience that has undoubtedly helped shape her as a writer. Her journey is one of devotion, perseverance and passion, and it's been a wonderful experience and opportunity for me to be able to dive deeper into her journey. Being able to share her insights, and her experiences with others in the literary community will hopefully inspire others who may be navigating similar paths. T.R. Hill is such a kind person and it's obvious to me that she has a mind full of stories just waiting to be told.
The Interview
Chapter Chirp: Tell me a little bit about yourself and how you decided to become an author?
T.R. Hill: I’m a life-long Oklahoman, and I live in a small town now but grew up in the “big” city. I’m the youngest of five siblings, with ten years between me and the next kid, so my imagination worked overtime growing up. I’m a mom of three and went back to finish my English degree after they were born. I’ve always been a bookworm and will read just about any genre.
As a kid, my mom read to me all the time and laid the foundation for a love of books from an early age, and my dad always has a story to tell—so reading and storytelling have always been a part of my daily life. At night, when reading time was over, I remember lying in bed, thinking up my own stories. I have tubs of “books” and poems that I wrote as a kid, from first grade through high school (my parents kept everything). Writing a book was always a dream I hid away and never took seriously—then I was facing forty and having a mini midlife meltdown, so I decided to give it a try—just to say that I went for it. That’s how Deep Down the Rabbit Hole came about.
Chapter Chirp: How long did it take you to write your latest title and what was your inspiration for this book?
T.R. Hill: From concept to publication, I spent a couple of years on Deep Down the Rabbit Hole, but there were so many roadblocks that I stumbled over in the process. I gave up multiple times, thinking the book wasn’t good enough and I wasn’t good enough.
Much of my inspiration for the book came from how I saw myself at the time—a failure with little to nothing to show for the almost forty years on the planet and a college degree I’m still paying for. Both main characters, Kinsley and Caleb, see failure in themselves in some way. The setting is inspired by the little town I live in (especially the constant train traffic). I knew I wanted to write a love story, but I also wanted it to be realistic and gritty, so while the story has a happy ending, it takes the characters (and readers) through some heartbreaking moments, but there’s also laughter and love and forgiveness and redemption—it’s messy, but so is life.
Chapter Chirp: What is your favorite part of this book (i.e: character(s), theme, title, cover art, etc.) and why?
T.R. Hill: My favorite part of the book is the chemistry and relationship between the two main characters. Yes, it’s an open-door romance, but it’s also a genuine love story with character growth. I love how the story shows that the right person (or people) in your life will stand by and support you while you grow and learn from your mistakes.
Chapter Chirp: What was the most surprising thing that you learned while writing your most recent book and did you face any challenges while writing this title?
T.R. Hill: The most surprising thing I learned while writing Deep Down the Rabbit Hole was that I actually write better on my phone than on my computer. I think it’s because I feel more pressure to get it “right” when I’m at my computer, but when I’m writing on my phone, it feels like I’m just putting down notes–no pressure.
The biggest challenge I faced was sharing my book with strangers to critique and offer feedback. Some loved it, some hated it, and it left me utterly confused on where I stood with the story.
Chapter Chirp: In your opinion, what makes a book truly great and why?
T.R. Hill: If a book can change the way I see someone or something, or if the book stays with me after I’ve finished reading it, I would consider it great. I’m fascinated with storytelling and the way books can transport a reader somewhere else—give them a taste of another life and touch their emotions with mere words. When a book can do any of those things, it’s great.
Chapter Chirp: What's next for you, can you share a sneak peek or drop some teasers about your next book?
T.R. Hill: My new romantic-comedy series (Sweetwater Resort) takes place at an Oklahoma lakeside resort in 2009 and is inspired by a favorite family vacation spot from my childhood. The books are interconnected standalones (full resolution at the end with a sneak peek at the next story) and are lighter in theme than Deep Down the Rabbit Hole. The first in the series, Dirty Little Secret, is a frenemies-to-lovers workplace romance with tons of sarcastic banter, and it’s available now. I also have free bonus content (the prequel to Dirty Little Secret) available when you sign up for my newsletter. https://linktr.ee/trhill
I’m writing the second book in the Sweetwater Series right now and have plans for books 3-6 (maybe more). I’m also editing Always, August—a second chance romance that follows August and Tate over a thirteen year timespan, from first love in high school to a second chance at happiness as adults.
Final Thoughts
T.R. is not only an author, but also a reader, a mother, and a wife. Despite her busy life, she still manages to find the time to fully dedicate herself to her craft and share her talent for writing with the world. In addition to these qualities, she is also down-to-earth and relatable which are admirable traits for anyone to have. I'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to T.R. for taking the time to share her personal story and motivations with me and for allowing the world to get to know her better. If you haven't experienced T.R.'s work for yourself, I'd like to encourage you to check out her books, sign up for her newsletter to stay up-to-date on all the things in T.R.'s world, and finally go show her some love and support on her socials.
Wordpress:Author Website
Instagram: Profile
Facebook: Author's Page
Amazon: Author's Books
T.R.'s works are available on the following platforms:
‘“Deep Down the Rabbit Hole “ was a fun read. It had a lot of turns and twists on the journey . Great conclusion to the story
Good questions real answers . Think I will give her a read