The Enigmatic World of Holly Hill Mangin – Author of The House on the Lake
Exploring the Paranormal, Crafting Compelling Narratives, and Bridging Worlds Through Literature
Holly Hill Mangin crafts captivating tales blending mystery and the paranormal, enriching readers’ lives with her imaginative storytelling prowess.
About Holly Hill Mangin
Holly Hill Mangin is an English literature teacher at an international school in the south of France, a freelance copy editor at Fresh as a Daisy Editing, and the author of her first independent novel The House on the Lake, a gold medal winner in the 2021 Wishing Shelf Book Awards and a finalist for the 2021 American Fiction Awards. The House on the Lake has also been translated into French. Always ready to laugh, Holly can be serious when the need calls for it. She lives with her husband and their two kids a stone’s throw away from the French Riviera, and she finds that reading and writing go a long way in procrastinating learning French.
The Allure of Mystery and the Paranormal
Holly’s novels, The House on the Lake and Within These Walls, are rich with elements of mystery and the paranormal. Her fascination with the unknown drives her to explore themes that offer explanations for the unexplainable, captivating readers who share this curiosity. For Holly, these elements are foundational; the characters and plot develop naturally around these core themes. She reflects on how both novels ended up examining different interpretations of ghosts, a realization she found intriguing.
Balancing Expertise with Creativity
As an English literature teacher and freelance copy editor, Holly acknowledges that her professional background inevitably influences her writing. Although she may not be consciously aware of these influences, the literature she has taught and edited seeps into her creative process. She admits that her propensity for meticulous editing can sometimes stifle creativity, suggesting that her stories might have been different if she had allowed more freedom during the initial drafts.
The Significance of Setting
Settings play a critical role in Holly’s storytelling. From the eerie Lakeview Manor in The House on the Lake to the haunted Hillfield Manor in Within These Walls, each location is meticulously crafted to enhance the narrative. Holly emphasizes the importance of creating environments that interact meaningfully with her characters. Her research often involves studying real-life floor plans to ensure the settings are both plausible and conducive to the story’s needs.
The Experience of Translation
Having The House on the Lake translated into French was a significant milestone for Holly. Living in France, she wanted her French-speaking family and friends to enjoy her work. This experience not only broadened her audience but also offered new insights into her writing. Holly found that some direct translations improved clarity, prompting her to reconsider certain aspects of her original text. She hopes these refinements are evident in her upcoming translations, such as Within These Walls.
Character Development Amidst Personal Loss
In Within These Walls, protagonist Emma Beckett’s journey through grief is a central theme. Holly’s approach to character development involves crafting detailed backstories and illustrating emotional growth through interactions and experiences. Emma’s struggle with loss is portrayed with a balance of vulnerability and strength, showcasing Holly’s ability to delve into complex emotions and human resilience.
Recognition and Advice for Aspiring Authors
Holly’s recognition in prestigious awards like the 2021 Wishing Shelf Book Awards and the American Fiction Awards has validated her storytelling prowess. This acknowledgment has boosted her confidence and inspired a wealth of new ideas. Her advice to aspiring authors is to seek feedback from editors, beta readers, or critique partners and to embrace constructive criticism. She encourages writers to submit their work to reputable awards, reminding them that while not every story will resonate with everyone, the effort is worthwhile if it touches even a few readers.
Holly Hill Mangin’s journey as a writer is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. Her ability to weave mystery and the paranormal into compelling narratives continues to captivate and inspire readers worldwide.
