She may only be 23, but Hilary Duff has already proven her chops as an actress, songwriter, singer, and philanthropist. Now she's set her sights on book author with Elixir (S & S, 2010), a romance turned otherworldly thriller that Duff co-wrote with Elise Allen. Since its October release, the novel has become a New York Times bestseller. We asked the newlywed what appeals to her about writing, and why teens?even famous ones?sometimes fantasize about escaping from their lives.

You've written songs, but how did you make the move to fiction?

Honestly, I didn't think I was going to write a book. It was never a to-do of mine. I've always loved writing, getting in touch with how I was feeling inside, getting out what your day has been like. I'd say that helped a lot with the confidence part, knowing I had things to say. And then I read so many scripts each week, and I think in script and book form. I also had an amazing co-writer, Elise Allen. Before I met with her, I was writing ideas for characters and had a story in mind with a paranormal aspect. Once I met Elise, I verbally exploded my ideas to her, (laughs) and she helped me find my voice.

As a teenager did you ever fantasize about stepping into another life and absorbing magical powers?

Totally. That's the whole thing about acting. Everyone who's an actor or an actress is such a dreamer. That's your whole job everyday to play someone beside yourself. You get to leave your world and jump into something else. You have to use your imagination. Even though Clea is not me, I imagined who I would surround myself with if I wasn't myself, where would I go, all of those things.

Your heroine, Clea, is a photojournalist and leans on her photography throughout the story. Do you approach new places and situations with a camera in hand as well?

I do. My husband Mike [Comrie] got me a Canon Rebel, and I love it. I wouldn't say I'm great at taking pictures. We were in Vail for Christmas; he was having hip surgery so we couldn't ski, but we went on a snowmobile ride, and I stopped every five minutes to take a picture. He got annoyed with me. I just learned how to focus on the forefront and make the background really blurry, and it's really cool, and I'm obsessed with it. But right now my main subjects are really my dogs, and they don't like to sit still so it's not going too well. But I love photography and appreciate good photos.

Was there a teacher or mentor that influenced you in some way as a writer?

My sister [Haylie] is very poetic when she writes. And we've written some songs together. She's very good at getting in touch with her feelings, and she has great metaphors, which I love and steal (laughs). But also, when I started writing my record I worked with Kara DioGuardi, and she's a girl power who can hang in there with the guys. She's an awesome rock star lady, and she helped me find my voice as a writer. They have all been teachers in a certain way.

Do you have any literary heroines or favorites that inspired you for Elixir?

I definitely was super inspired after I read Twilight (Little, Brown, 2005), and fell in love with that whole story. I loved Stephenie Meyer's style of writing, and would wake up in the middle of the night and read. I couldn't get enough. I loved the magical elements and how the totally normal girl stumbles across this crazy adventure with vampires and werewolves. It was such an appeal as a page-turner and also so romantic at the same time. It's amazing that [Meyer] created the romance, love, and wanting between two people without sex being the whole thing driving it. I was really impressed with that and I thought "Ok I'm going to think of something that holds [the characters] together but doesn't have to be sex." I started writing a few months after reading the series and then got into other young adult books, including The Hunger Games (Scholastic, 2008). I think Suzanne Collins is amazing. She writes such strong female heroines. I also love everything Jody Picoult writes. I'm kind of all over the place.

How would you tell young people to find their own writing style?

I have had such a different path, it's hard to say to them what they should do. I think my path to finding my voice was singing, being on stage, and having people show up and listen. Also writing everyday and not writing for anyone but yourself is key. If you're trying to write for someone else then the honesty isn't there.

What can readers expect in the series?

I'm working on the second book right now, and I just finished the first three chapters. It's going to be a three-book series. The first one clearly ends on a cliffhanger, and in the next one there are some key new characters introduced who are otherworldly and interesting. As of now, Clea has lost all contact with Sage, and this next book is going to start with her trying to pick up the pieces and do anything she can to find him. She gets some bad information and the adventure will continue. She's not sure where she will go next, but she's a cool chick and a doer.

And what's next for you with your music and acting?

There are two more books to write. And it's so nice to be able to do something from my house and not to have to show up to work everyday and go through hair and makeup. It's totally on my time, which is awesome especially since I got married. I've been a little lazy, and I'm just evaluating what I want to do. [Television] pilot season is coming up, and maybe television is a good place for me. It's a great schedule. I can come home at night and be with my family, in my house, with my dogs and my friends. Maybe a show is up next. But nothing is set in stone. I don't think I want to sing any time soon. I'm just enjoying my life being married. It's just me time.

I THOUGHT SHE WANTED TO CONTINUE HER MUSIC CAREER ???

She's actually been saying that since 2008, but this article confirms pretty much the obvious she's most likely isn't returning. If they were to do a Canada Housewives, I would love for her to join the cast. (Mike "husband" is Canadian)

OK Hilary, but when your marriage life starts falling apart you'll realize what a mistake you've done.

I wish she would. She was, for some reason, always associated with my childhood song-wise.

You guys, she's only 23. Let her take a break for a couple of years, let her have some fun.

[QUOTE=Nii;5190524]You guys, she's only 23. Let her take a break for a couple of years, let her have some fun.[/QUOTE

Those are the years people work more in Hollywood. She has plenty of time to go settle down and go on several vacations when she's in her 30's, 40's, 50's....... But if this is what she wants then good luck to her!

Damn bitch, I can't believe. Without word now

Smart move, no shade but the music biz is too competitive right now.

NOOO PLZ HILARY COME BACK

It's always going to be competitive.

lmfao shady

Housewives TV franchise are guilty pleasures. Could you imagine Hilary spilling the tea on the show?

She'll never come back to music. I think she's done for good.

As long as she still does acting roles I'll be okay with this. But If she just disapears and writes those damn books...

Jose is such a shady bitch, he better keep it cute. I am here for the movies and TV roles but the queen better bring me something other than these books...

I'm done waiting for her.

She never sings anyway... it's all lipped and her talking over tracks.

Has she ever denied this?