Q&A with Amy Harmon CLOSED

[Laura]

What inspired you to write your very first published novel?

[Amy]

Erica wrote: "Hello Amy! I'm trying to get into reading some classics. Which Shakespeare play is your favorite/would you recommend and why?"

I love Othello, bless his heart. He had the love of a woman who adored him, but he had no confidence in his ability to keep her, no confidence in her loyalty. And he destroyed something beautiful. So tragic and terrible. I have a scene in Running Barefoot where my characters discuss Othello. It was basically everything I felt about the play, rolled into that scene.

[Amy]

J. wrote: "Where do you get your ideas for the books you write?"

Everything and everyone is a source for ideas. Little snippets of conversation you overhear, something you see in a news story, the lyrics in a song. Ideas are everywhere.

[Miz]

Amy, do you too think that Grease 2 is the best cult movie around (and then proceed to scoff at others who don't know the words to Rock-a-Lu-Alua and Coooooool Rider)?

[Betül]

Hi Amy, do you (re)read your own books? If so how often, and how do you feel during/after the read?

[Amy]

Betul wrote: "Hi Amy, do you (re)read your own books? If so how often, and how do you feel during/after the read?"

I never re-read my books. Nope. But I do listen to them when they come out on audio. That is really fun and amazingly enjoyable. But I don't re-read. xxoo

[Amy]

Miz wrote: "Amy, do you too think that Grease 2 is the best cult movie around (and then proceed to scoff at others who don't know the words to Rock-a-Lu-Alua and Coooooool Rider)?"

Ha ha ha. Reproduction! Reproduction! Love it. I love it as much as Grease. xxoo

[Nevaeh]

Hey there, thanks for taking time to answer our questions. I know you're a busy mom too, so I was curious about your writing schedule. Do you write while the kids are in school or are you a fellow night owl? And do have a word count you like to "hit" each day or do you just write when you can, however much you can? Any methods like pomodoro or fast-drafting, or just good 'ol fashioned get it done? ;)

[Betty]

If someone paid you 1 milllion to get a book title tattoo, what title would you choose?

[Amy]

Nevaeh wrote: "Hey there, thanks for taking time to answer our questions. I know you're a busy mom too, so I was curious about your writing schedule. Do you write while the kids are in school or are you a fellow ..."

Definitely just good old fashioned get it done. I don't have any methods, really. I write when I can, and towards the end I usually write longer than I do in the beginning. But 1,000 words a day is kind of my general rule of thumb. I always take a little time off between books, just because of promotion and the need to regroup, but once I start a new project, that's the goal.

[Amy]

Betty wrote: "If someone paid you 1 milllion to get a book title tattoo, what title would you choose?"

Hmm. What a great, fun question. I will have to think about it! It would be less about the book and more about the title of said book, obviously. I'll have to think of an awesome, significant title.

[Amy]

Laura wrote: "What inspired you to write your very first published novel?"

I wrote my first novel, Running Barefoot, about eight years ago as a personal challenge. I didn't have any plans to send it to publishers or see it on bookshelves. I just wanted to see if I could. My own personal marathon. However, five years ago, I found myself out of work, my husband working in another state, brand new baby, my oldest in and out of the hospital, and I knew I had to do something to make money for my family. I took out my manuscript, shined it up, and the rest is history.