Authors Interviewing Characters: India Hill Brown

We are delighted to feature this Authors Interviewing Characters piece by INDIA HILL BROWN!

About the book:

RHYTHM AND MUSE

Cinderella meets Cyrano in this pitch-perfect YA rom-com that is a celebration of Black joy, first crushes, and putting your heart on the line for love.

Darren Johnson lives in his head. There, he can pine for his crush—total dream girl, Delia Dawson—in peace, away from the unsolicited opinions of his talkative family and showboat friends. When Delia announces a theme song contest for her popular podcast, Dillie D in the Place to Be, Darren’s friends—convinced he’ll never make a move—submit one of his secret side projects for consideration.

After the anonymous romantic verse catches Dillie’s ear, she sets out to uncover the mystery singer behind the track. Now Darren must decide: Is he ready to step out of the shadows and take the lead in his own life?

The anonymous, overnight sensation. 

By India Hill Brown 

Darren Armstrong is an overnight sensation. But can we really call his success overnight? His song “Dillie’s Song,” was on the top of the R&B, Pop, and eClips charts – before people even knew it was him singing. He followed it up with the equally successful song, “Rhythm & Muse,” and also manages to be the section leader for the school chorus and church choir. Whew! Talk about busy. What does the elusive Darren have to say about his success? 

He sits in front of me, hands rubbing his jeans, wearing the Jordan 4s and what’s probably a fresh haircut. He’s a gentleman, standing up as I enter the room and pulling out my chair. The atmosphere is nervous, yet excitable. 

IHB: Darren! How are you feeling today?

DA: Great, blessed. A little nervous but… I’m feeling great. 

IHB: No need to be nervous. I just want to tell you how proud I am of your success. 

DA: Thank you very much. I really appreciate that. 

IHB: Let’s get right into it. So, when Dillie’s Song reached popularity, for a long time, no one even knew it was you, since the song was submitted anonymously. How did this come about, and why did it take so long for you to claim the song?

DA: Well… it’s a long story, but a friend of mine submitted it. He didn’t think I would do it myself because I wouldn’t feel like it was good enough. But – 

IHB: Was he right about that?

DA: Maybe. But I knew eventually, that I needed to take the risk and claim the song, or I would always regret it.

IHB: For sure. Especially with the success that it’s gotten. And the fact that so many people tried to take credit for the song before you did. Was that flattering, or insulting?

DA: It was… interesting and a little stressful. I would say maybe a little flattering at first, that people wanted to take credit for the song, because maybe it meant that they thought it was good? Or maybe they just wanted the success that the song could bring them, so that would be a little insulting. But, the song was unique to me so.. I knew if I didn’t take ownership of it, then it would never get where it was supposed to be. 

IHB: I agree with that. And I heard about what happened when the song was performed at the Homecoming dance… before you actually performed it…

DA: Yeahhhh *shudders*

IHB: *laughs* aside from all that, taking ownership and performing a new song had to be exhilarating. 

DA: Absolutely, it was better than anything I could’ve dreamed up. 

IHB: I have to ask, although I know it’s like asking an author to pick their favorite book. Between Dillie’s Song and Rhythm and Muse, which song is your favorite? 

DA: Aww, man. 

IHB: I know, it’s a hard one. 

DA: I think… man, they both have a special place in my heart. But Rhythm & Muse is my favorite, right now at least. It shows where I am right now. I got to debut it on my own terms. But none of this would be possible without Dillie’s Song, so I’m forever grateful for one, too. I don’t know, man, I can’t choose. 

IHB: It is hard. Speaking of Dillie, I’ve just heard her most recent podcast where you were her guest. Y’all are the cutest. How is everything going between the two right now?

DA: *blushing* It’s… going amazingly. 

BUY HERE

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India Hill Brown is an author with a passion for writing, reading, and all things literary.

Her debut novel, The Forgotten Girl, has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work in Youth/Teens and a 2020 ALSC Notable Children’s Book.

She graduated from Claflin University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications and with a Concentration in Print Journalism.

In her spare time, she can be found curling up with a good book, a hot drink, and a snack. A self-proclaimed southern belle, she lives in the Carolinas with her husband and two sons.

Find out more about India on her website https://indiahillbrown.com/

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: On Writing