What is your name, where were you born
and where do you live now?
My name is Stephanie Amox. I was born in
Irving, Texas and I now live in Flower Mound, Texas.
Who is your publisher? or do you self
publish?
I am published through
Mitchell Morris Publishing.
How long does it usually take you to
write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
This is an interesting question as they
are all different. I had the basic idea
of Painfully Ordinary a couple of years before I started to write. I kept
saying “who am I to write a book?” and my husband kept replying with “who are
you NOT to write a book?” Once I start writing it flows fairly easily. There are times when you get writers’ block,
but something usually triggers an idea and you are back to work. Family Secrets
and New Beginnings, the second and third books in my series, took me a little
over a year to pull together.
What can we expect from you in the
future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
Honestly I have several books in the
works in several different genres. I
haven’t decided if these will be written under my name or a pen name.
Do you have plans for a new book? Is
this book part of a series?
I am currently working on the fourth and
final book in my series, which will be titled Rushing Calm.
How long have you been writing?, and who
or what inspired you to write?
I’ve been writing for many years.
Writing was appealing because I’m able to create my own world. I can make
things unfold as I want them and have complete control.
Do you have a certain routine you have
for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
I think all writers have some sort of
routine. I hand write all my books and
use the same mechanical pencil for the entire book. As I finish up 2-3 chapters, I will start
transcribing it into my computer. I find it a lot easier for the story to flow
when I’m writing by hand. It also allows
me to take it with me wherever I go.
Do you have anybody read your books and
give you reviews before you officially release them?ie. Your partner, children,
friends, reviewers you know?
Funny enough, my mom
has always read my books, but I also have Caitlin’s college roommate,
Katherine, reads every single word for me.
How do you come up with the Title and
Cover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the Cover of your books?
All of the covers for The Lumina Saga
series feature the same person on the cover.
The girl on the cover is the “real” Caitlin.
(Wow that's really interesting to know, I love the covers especially the one for family Secret. Caitlin is a very beautiful young lady, her eyes are a lovely green colour, which draws you into the cover and holds your attention!)
Do you choose a title first, or write
the book then choose the title?
I’ve done it both ways, but usually I
have the title before I’ve even written the book. I normally have an idea of the general tone
of the book, so it makes coming up with a title fairly easy.
How do you come up with characters names
and place names in your books?
I think the best option is to write
about what you know. Your story flows much easier and you will enjoy what you
write about. This is exactly what I do. There are many character names that I
have pulled out of the air – or taken names from other languages because I
thought it really fit the personality of a particular character. Other
characters have been given names of people I know – like Caitlin, Leah and
Brady.
Are character names and place names
decided after there creation? or do you pick a character/place name and then
invent them?
I have to create a personality before I
can name a character. However, I have
found that it’s impossible for me to write more than a page or two about a
character until I name them. It’s what ties me to them and makes them more
“real” in my head.
Do you decide on character traits (ie
shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
Actually once you get
going, the characters personalities tend to progress on their own. They grow
and change based on their experiences like any real person.
What do you think makes a book a really
good/bestseller ?
I think the best books are those that
contain elements that you can relate to. The story can be written in a
completely fabricated world, but if the characters have the same basic human
flaws, you can still relate to them and how they react to the events around
them.
Have you ever based characters on people
you know or based events on things that have happened to you?
Absolutely. The main character, Caitlin,
was modeled after my daughter (also named Caitlin). Her looks and personality
are exactly as they are described in the books. Brady is also modeled after
Caitlin’s real-life little brother.
What piece of advice would you give to a
new writer?
Don’t try to write what you think
agents, etc WANT to see. Write what
interests you and focus on that – the rest will come. You will have times where
you simply can’t get your story to progress – step away and do something else,
you will be surprised where you will find inspiration.
Your Web Site?
Your Facebook Page?
www.facebook.com/PainfullyOrdinary,
www.facebook.com/FamilySecrets.novel, www.facebook.com/NewBeginnings.novel, www.facebook.com/RushingCalm
Your Goodreads Author Page?
Your Twitter details?
@painfullyordin
Thank you Stephanie for taking the time from your busy schedule to take part in an Interview for my "little" blog!
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