The Rubber Band Stretches – Rocky’s Story Author Interview

About the Book

Book: The Rubber Band Stretches – Rocky’s Story

Author: Christy Hoss

Genre: Middle Grade Novel

Release date: June, 2021

Foster kid Rocky “Roadkill” Espinosa, drummer for the Rubber Band, chooses Elvis for his 4^th grade living biography report. With little money to create a costume, Rocky believes he’ll be the worst Elvis impersonation ever, destined to fail.

When his ex-con father Eduardo, sneaks into his life demanding attention, Rocky’s best friend and lead guitar for the band, Eddie, comes to his rescue. Eddie involves the entire band in Rocky’s protection to be “secret service” and comedic chaos erupts.

After the Rubber Band performs its first set at the mayor’s 50^th birthday party, Rocky mysteriously disappears. The band realizes it’s no longer about fun and games. Friends and family are what matter most in life. The bond of the band demands that secrets be revealed.

Will friends, foster or blood family win the battle for Rocky’s future?

Click HERE to get your copy!

About the Author

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.

The Rubber Band Stretches, Rocky’s Story is the second book in The Rubber Band middle grade novel series by Christy Hoss.

More from Christy

Why the Rubber Band?

Sitting in the front row keeping an eye on my students, the stage curtain opened to our elementary school assemble. A sign over the group declared “The Rubber Band.” With one stroke the lead guitar caused my inner groupie to emerge. I screamed in delight and crooned out. ‘Born to Be Wild’ along with the kid band delivering professional sounds. Our usually reserved staff soon joined me in my whoops of delight and the band had the entire assembly on its feet, dancing and clapping.

I was so impressed by this rock and roll group of fourth and fifth grade students, I asked them to play at my fiftieth birthday party.

Returning to our classroom, I put on my writer’s hat, thinking about what a cool kid’s book The Rubber Band would make. But I had to come up with a plotline. It was then I noticed a rubber band on the floor and knew instantly what needed to be done. It had to be about a good guitar-playing kid getting trouble for a mis-shot rubber band. He’s sent to the principal’s office where he sees the sign advertising the talent contest and he begins his quest to recruit a diverse group of misfit kids to form a garage band.

My imagination took off as I thought about the many children I have taught through the years. Most of my characters are inspired by those actual students and events. Rocky is a fictional name given to a real foster kid who came to our school temporarily. He used to walk alone around the perimeter of the school boundaries – just like Rocky. Edison and Oliver are actual names of maternal twins I taught my first year at Kenwood Elementary, the school I derived Wildwood elementary from. Even Principal Haymaker is based on my friend, Principal Bales.

The band is not without troubles and Eddie soon finds himself challenged by an incurable illness. But the bond of the band is strong, and they will not snap but hang tight to see the dream through no matter how it turns out. Rocky longs to be a part of a permanent family, but has his heartstrings pulled when his freshly paroled birth father shows up. Becca is the lonely, spoiled-rotten rich girl with no friends but a voice of gold. Manny plays bass and Oliver the keyboards, but not without adding their own unique personalities to the mix.

You’ll be hearing more from The Rubber Band as I plan to write about their adventures into adulthood and beyond, and there will be many.

I no longer look at a rubber band and think of it as just an elastic ring to hold things together. It’s a simple, useful object. that inspired a novel series.

Author Interview

When/how did you decide to become a writer?

In second grade my teacher, Mrs. Olson, told me I was destined to be a writer after winning a writing contest with a story about my dachshund dog, Noodles. I never lost sight of that dream and began to pursue it 15 years ago by attending writing conferences.

Which author has most influenced your own writing?

My first writing conference, I mentored under Brandilyn Collins. She taught me to write a hook at the end of every chapter. I love reading her Seatbelt Suspense books that are always hard to put down, page turners to the very end.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I can’t write unless I’ve had my nails done

What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?

One hour on, three hours off…do some chores, then try to write some more

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I am definitely a pantser, but an aspiring plotter.

Do you have a favorite or special place to write?

I love to write in my backyard in the shade while sitting in the bench swing my husband built for me, otherwise I’m in my office where I find most of my inspiration.

Is there a particular literary period that you’re drawn to (Regency, Victorian, Romantic, Modernism, etc.)? Why?

I like reading modernism because I can relate to it.

Describe your book in five words.

Rock Music Roller Coaster Ride

Which one of your characters speaks most to your heart? Why?

Rocky “Roadkill” Espinosa speaks to me the most because as a kid, I was always looking to belong and be loved, and this is his heart’s desire- to belong to a forever family

Do you ever hide things in your stories for readers to find?

Yes- but I’m not giving them up…

What are your hobbies?

I love to sculpt and create art, mostly with clay, but when I get an idea in my head, it doesn’t have to be ceramic for me to create it

Who was/is your biggest inspiration?

My Dad. He was the kindest, most patient man who taught elementary school 40+ years and always supported my endeavors

What is your favorite book?

Little Women

Do you prefer traditional books, ebooks, or audiobooks?

There is nothing like a good page turner. I guess I’m old fashioned that way. A traditional book smells better and is easier on the eyes.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse, or is there a particular Bible story that really resonates with you?

Joseph from the Old testament. I love how he was a dreamer, overcame extreme difficulties and was able to forgive his brothers, forging a way for the survival of the Israelite nation

If you could live inside a book, which one would it be?

The Wizard of Oz

If you could meet one author, living or passed, who would it be?

C.S. Lewis

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Revise, revise, revise and never stop learning the craft

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 10

Texas Book-aholic, August 11

For the Love of Literature, August 12 (Author Interview)

Inklings and notions, August 13

For Him and My Family, August 14

deb’s Book Review, August 15

Vicky Sluiter, August 16 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 16

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 17

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, August 18 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 18

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 19

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 20

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, August 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Christy is giving away the grand prize of a $75 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of both The Rubber Band and The Rubber Band Stretches!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/111b5/the-rubber-band-stretches-rocky-s-story-celebration-tour-giveaway