I have a lot to say. After years of getting in trouble for talking too much in school I finally figured out I could write words down on paper and get my ideas out into the world just as well. (without getting into as much trouble) My family still says I talk too much. Lol.
Do you write in different genres?
I do. I write romance and for years I was a nonfiction blogger as well.
If yes which is your favorite genre to write?
That’s like choosing a favorite child. I love them all in their own way. It’s refreshing to be able to take a break from one and work on a different kind of story. It keeps me from burning out.
How did you come up with the title for your latest book? Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?
Titles just come to me, usually before I write the book. Once I have the title in my head the rest of the story starts to take shape.
Is the book, characters, or any scenes based on a true life experience, someone you know, or events in your own life?
Only in that I’ve set this series in the real-life town where I actually reside. It’s an adorable little bayside village that’s full of small-town charm and beauty so when I write about the fudge shop or a lunch spot, I’ve probably eaten at one that’s very similar.
What books/authors have influenced your life?
Growing up I read all the Nancy Drew books. After those I read all of Agatha Christie’s books. I couldn’t get enough of them. As I got older I fell in love with Lawrence Sanders’ McNally mystery series. I can read those over and over again.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Vella Day. She’s an extremely generous person and a wonderful author.
What book are you reading now?
Lisa Scottoline’s Every Fifteen Minutes on audiobook. Ninety-five percent of the books I “read” are on audio, which is why I’ll be releasing the audiobook of Poison My Pretty in a couple of weeks.
What books are in your to read pile?
I love all of Lisa Gardner’s books and I hoard those, saving them for a sick day. I also just picked up a few paperback cozies I’m looking forward to diving into – A Toxic Trousseau by Juliet Blackwell and Parchment and Old Lace by Laura Childs.
What is your current “work in progress” or upcoming projects?
I’m working on the second Poppy Parker mystery, Gunshots My Girl, releasing late Spring, as well as a medical thriller under the pen name N.D. Hill.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
I’m a terrible procrastinator. If I don’t have a deadline I’m worthless so I set lot of self-imposed deadlines. I have a houseful of teenagers and pets so some days they distract me from my best intentions, but when I’m close to a deadline they know to steer clear of the writing cave. I’ve taught them to use the microwave, a can opener, or the pizza delivery service to feed themselves. They’ve also learned to do laundry out of self-defense. They know once mom goes in the cave, she goes in deep!
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Caroline Kepnes. The way she inhabits a character blows my mind. She’s brilliant.
Who designed the cover of your latest book?
Rachel Olson of No Sweat Graphics does my cover for this series. They have a great sense of whimsy and I love what she does with color.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Keep writing and keep learning. Read books on the craft of writing or take classes. I try to read a craft book between every book I write, and I listen to a lot of podcasts on writing and the business of writing. It helps me get better all the time, at all of it.
Just for fun
If you could have one paranormal ability, what would it be?
I would love the ability to find lost objects. When I can’t find something I spend too much time ruminating over where it could be. It absolutely kills me!
If you could keep a mythical/ paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have?
I’d love a dragon, but I was in the livestock business for many years so I know that would be too much work to have as a pet. I’d rather go visit one at someone else’s house. Lol.
Poison My Pretty
Amity Allen
Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Date of Publication: February 15, 2017
ASIN: B01MYNTAE8
Word Count: 50,000
Cover Artist: Rachel Olson at No Sweat Graphics
Book Description:
As soon as Poppy Parker turns 21, the star of a popular TV show about witch detectives discovers she has supernatural powers off the set as well as on. When the show is canceled, she returns home to figure out how to harness the magic brewing inside her.
Freaked out by these recent paranormal gifts, Poppy just wants to fit in, so when she’s asked to serve as a judge for the annual Bloomin’ Belles youth beauty competition she readily agrees.
But when the pageant’s snooty director drops dead and Poppy’s friend is arrested,
the former TV sleuth sets out to uncover the real killer, only to find…
the business of beauty can be deadly.
Excerpt:
Skylar’s twin
sister Mads called while I was driving to the convention center. “Are you
really going over there? I can’t believe they’re going to continue this
pageant.”
“So you heard
about the murder?”
“Yeah. Skylar
told me last night when she got home. It’s awful.”
“Yes, but you
know how it is. The show must go on! Surely you can’t be that surprised.” I was
only beginning to understand the importance of these competitions to their
participants, and I could picture pageant moms dragging their glitzed-up
toddlers over the dead bodies of fallen competitors. The way zombies climbed
over each other to get to the top of the pile in movies—only prettier.
“Are they sure
it was a murder? She didn’t just have a heart attack or something?” I could
hear the anxiety creeping into Mads’ voice, and I didn’t blame her. Our little
town was supposed to be safe. Murders didn’t happen here. That was the sort of
thing that happened in the city across the bridge, not in our sleepy little
bedroom community.
“That’s what
they said, Mads, but I don’t think you need to worry. If it was a murder, you
can bet it was personal. Certainly not the doin’s of a mad man or a serial
killer. If Heather Morgan was murdered, it was by somebody who knew her and had
something to gain from her death. This was no a random act of violence.”
About the Author:
Amity grew up reading every mystery she could get her hands on, burning through everything by Agatha Christie in record time and wanting to be Nancy Drew when she grew up. After writing books in other genres for the past few years, she's finally come home to her true love - cozy mysteries.
Amity and her husband live in L.A. (lower Alabama) with a houseful of teenagers and a half dozen pets. Besides books, Amity's favorite things are football, needlepoint, fried shrimp, and sweet tea.
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Amity_Allen
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmityAllen
Sign up for Amity’s Book Club: http://eepurl.com/coqgxX
1 comments:
Thanks for sharing this. Loved the interview. :)
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