New Adult Book Club discussion
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Q&A with Amy Harmon
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Kristy wrote: "I think all of the good questions have already been asked! How long does it normally take you to write a book, and do you outline everything first or just dive in?"I don't outline. I just stew A LOT. I start with a general premise and well-thought-out characters. And then I start. It takes me anywhere from four to six months to finish a book.
Tanja wrote: "These two stories, The Bird and the Sword and The Queen and the Cure, sound so good. They remind me of fables and greek mythology. I would like to know where do you get ideas for your books? What a..."I have always loved fairy tales and magic. I suppose the idea came from a desire to create the very thing that has always appealed to me, to write the kind of book I would love to read.
Crissy wrote: "Hi Amy!What would you say your biggest inspiration is when it comes to writing books? When choosing your characters, do you have a list of their traits, characteristics and personalities before yo..."
There's never one single inspiration. Building books are like building houses --- there's a foundation, the outer structure, the electrical (magic), the walls, and then all the layering of materials that fleshes out a home or a story.
I do find that the plot, for me, is driven by the characters, and if I truly know my characters then the writing flows better. I do ALL the things you mentioned!
If you could have coffee with any of your characters who would it be?
What is your general writing process? Do you outline and research everything first, or just dive Right in?
Hello Amy, I love your writing and books. Curious to know around what time frame can a new book be expected?And, if I may, could you shed some light on how first drafts work for you?
Syed Umar wrote: "Hello Amy, I love your writing and books. Curious to know around what time frame can a new book be expected?And, if I may, could you shed some light on how first drafts work for you?"
Hi Syed - I am writing a book for a publisher right now, and it won't be released until January of 2019. However, I have a contemporary book that I will be self-publishing early in 2018, so that's going to be my next release. I have another book from the Bird and the Sword chronicles planned for late summer, 2018 as well and am looking to traditionally publish a new fantasy series that will most likely come in late 2018 or early 2019, as traditionally published books have a much longer release schedule.
As far as first drafts - I don't really write with "drafts" in mind. I am a tweaker, ha ha, which means I perfect as I go. I describe my process of writing as layering (I describe it in another question someone asked). Usually by the time I reach the end of the book, I have a pretty good manuscript in hand. My editor then reads it and critiques, but very few big edits are needed. I know some people say don't edit as you go, but I have to. It's just how I roll.
Brandi wrote: "What is your general writing process? Do you outline and research everything first, or just dive Right in?"Hi Brandi, I know I answered this question earlier. I'll try to find it and cut and paste my response. I know it's hard to read down through every question and response and easy to miss double questions.
Hi Amy, I really love your books. I noticed that many quotes are inspired by the bible. And that when it comes to romances, that they almost never have sex before they're married. Or when they do you'll fall back on the emotional area of the character. It makes your writing different from other authors I read. And I think it's cool to see a author who can write pure, real and raw but at the same time is making clear choices about what she wants her audience to read.
So my question is: Is the use of the bible/faith/religion (or what else you want to call it) important to you when it comes to writing a book?
If you could co-author with anyone, who would you choose and why? Thanks! LOVE your books!!
Stephanie wrote: "I loved The Bird and the Sword and The Queen and the Cure. Do you plan to write any more books in this world?"Yes! Jerick's book - Kjell's lieutenant from The Queen and the Cure, is going to get a book next. It won't release until next summer, as I have a full writing schedule this year, but it's coming!
Larissa Joan wrote: "Hi Amy, I really love your books. I noticed that many quotes are inspired by the bible. And that when it comes to romances, that they almost never have sex before they're married. Or when they do..."
I am careful about being too blase about sex in my books. Sex is powerful and important and an integral part of a romantic relationship, but I want my characters and my readers to fall in love, if possible, without relying on sex to reel them in. I'm not averse to writing a love scene, in fact, I really enjoy writing them, but I do focus on the emotional aspects of sex, on the connection, on the intimacy of the act more than the physical descriptions. It's just who I am, what I'm comfortable with, and what I choose to focus on.
Larissa Joan wrote: "Hi Amy, I really love your books. I noticed that many quotes are inspired by the bible. And that when it comes to romances, that they almost never have sex before they're married. Or when they do..."
I am answering this question twice, because I feel like there are two parts. I've answered the question about sex, and now I'll answer the question about faith. My spirituality and my faith--faith in God, in people, in goodness, in life--do color my work. I think spiritual things make for better, more magical stories, so you will often see these things woven into my books.
H wrote: "If you could co-author with anyone, who would you choose and why? Thanks! LOVE your books!!"I can't imagine writing with anyone else because I'm such a disorganized, unconventional writer. I don't do things in order, I let the story take me all over, and I constantly edit and layer, making the original plot almost unrecognizable by the time I'm done. Still, I admire so many writers out there that I think it would be fun to try it sometime. Maybe Mia Sheridan and I would be able to write something good together. You think?
Sarah wrote: "If you could have coffee with any of your characters who would it be?"I'm not sure if I answered this, or if it got asked twice, so I'll answer here too.
I would love to sit and talk with Wilson from A Different Blue. He is my total package.
I absolutely adore your stories! I enjoyed the journey to Jeru, will there be a third book? Or would you write historical romances like From Sand and Ash? Or going back to your roots like A Different Blue? Omg, I can't wait for your next project! Love lots! ❤
Lovella wrote: "I absolutely adore your stories! I enjoyed the journey to Jeru, will there be a third book? Or would you write historical romances like From Sand and Ash? Or going back to your roots like A Differe..."I am writing another historical right now, actually. It will be released in January of 2019 through Lake Union Publishing. I also plan to write two more fantasy novels this year, one of them the third book in The Bird and the Sword Chronicles. I also have a contemporary romance planned that I will be releasing around the first of the year (2018). So lots going on!
Hi Amy!I've been wanting to write a book since I was in middle school, but I don't know where to start or who to contact. When did you know that you wanted to write? Do you have any advice for me? Thanks Amy! Thanks for the generous giveaway!!
Amy wrote: "Syed Umar wrote: "Hello Amy, I love your writing and books. Curious to know around what time frame can a new book be expected?And, if I may, could you shed some light on how first drafts work for..."
First of all, THANK YOU for getting back to me.
That sounds like such an awesome news! I can't wait to read them, honestly. Wait. Another in the Bird and Sword Chronicles!? Oh my God!
Secondly, your editing process sounds like how I roll about too. I have always seen the advice to edit once you have a first draft in hand and that never really made sense to me because how do you not edit in the moment, right?
One last question-and I ask because I wish to write books-how do you maintain your inspiration?And how do you finalize on the story you are going to write, because once you start you have to go with it?
Do you plan it all out, the characters, the ending or simply let it flow and see where it goes?
Thank you, once again!
So I just got "Making Faces" (from US) for my cousin because she wouldn't read an ebook. I have asked bookstores here in Saudi Arabia for your books, they have all other authors but sadly I didn't find you.What I wanna ask is, how do you connect the dots, I know you say that the characters lead you but how do you fill in the places, and what makes you keep going? I have this awful habit of abondoning things midway, what's your motivation and how do you counter writer's block?
(Because this is one of my favourite question to ask to an author) If you were asked to write the biography of a person or help them in writing their autobiography..who would you want that person to be? P.S I FREAKIN LOVE YOUR BOOKS :)
How do you decide about a cover for your story? (I love them)
Who is your favorite character that you've created? Who "spoke" to you the most, or was the biggest pain in your rear?
I love that you're a multi-genre author when so many stick to one genre. Do you find most of your readers will read ALL of your books or stick to 1 particular series/type?
I am new to your work. Do you like to write books with cliffhangers or do you prefer to avoid them?
Hello, Ms. Amy!Out of the books you've written, which book do you want first to be adapted into a movie or TV series?
Making Faces was the first book I read of yours, a few years ago, and it was one of the best books I've read. It's still a favourite. So I wanted to ask about Bailey, because I love him. Just anything about him, a quirk, a favourite book or his opinion on the newest Marvel movie. Whatever you want to tell.
Hi Amy,I just want to say that I love how lush and complex your characters are - they are wonderful!
Infinity + One was the first book of yours for me; I was wondering what research you did around the math component of the book? Also, does Finn have Asperger's syndrome? He has a lot of the characteristics of an aspie.
Hi Amy,What's your favorite character you've ever written? Why?
Out of every character you have written, who is your favorite and why?
Hi Amy! I'm very curious to know how do you get your inspiration when writing a book?
Your books are beautiful inside and out! I first fell in love with the Law of Moses' book cover, and then I read it. OMG. It was entirely different experience altogether! <3Can I ask, how do you come up with your book covers? What's the process you go through? And do you have like specific artist friends?
(I'm a multimedia arts major, and someday I would love to create book covers for the authors I love! <3)
Jessica wrote: "Hi Amy!I've been wanting to write a book since I was in middle school, but I don't know where to start or who to contact. When did you know that you wanted to write? Do you have any advice for me..."
Amazon has a great self publishing arm, called Kindle Direct Publishing and Createspace. Once you have your manuscript ready to go, I would go there. As far as writing, you just have to start and not stop!
Jasmin wrote: "Hi Amy! I'm very curious to know how do you get your inspiration when writing a book?"Inspiration comes from everywhere! Sometimes you'll hear a story in a song that you think could be developed or fleshed out into a novel. Sometimes you'll watch a movie, and it will trigger a new idea. I get ideas from snippets of conversation, from reading history, from real life. Inspiration is EVERYWHERE. You just have to write about something that appeals to you. Write the kind of story you like to read.
Michelle wrote: "Hi Amy,What's your favorite character you've ever written? Why?"
I don't know. Ha! I've written twelve novels, and each of those characters is precious to me because they taught me and they stretched me, and they made me a better writer. I loved Finn Clyde from Infinity + One, Wilson from A Different Blue, Bailey from Making Faces, Angelo from From Sand and Ash and Kjell from the Queen and the Cure. They are probably my favorites . . . but then there's Moses and David and Millie and Fern . . . I can't pick.
S.Shade wrote: "Out of every character you have written, who is your favorite and why?"I don't know. Ha! I've written twelve novels, and each of those characters is precious to me because they taught me and they stretched me, and they made me a better writer. I loved Finn Clyde from Infinity + One, Wilson from A Different Blue, Bailey from Making Faces, Angelo from From Sand and Ash and Kjell from the Queen and the Cure. They are probably my favorites . . . but then there's Moses and David and Millie and Fern . . . I can't pick.
Quirks wrote: "Making Faces was the first book I read of yours, a few years ago, and it was one of the best books I've read. It's still a favourite. So I wanted to ask about Bailey, because I love him. Just anyth..."I imagine that Bailey would be a huge Spiderman fan - not because of the venomous spider thing, which he discusses in Making Faces - but because Spidey is just a regular kid who struggles with love and life and everyday things. I just watched the latest Spiderman with my daughter, and we loved it. Tom Holland was perfection. I imagine Bailey would have loved it with us.
Karen wrote: "Hi Amy,I just want to say that I love how lush and complex your characters are - they are wonderful!
Infinity + One was the first book of yours for me; I was wondering what research you did aroun..."
I studied mathematicians - not their theories, although there was a great mathematical discussion about the concept of Infinity that I found fascinating. I also have a mother who is a math teacher (she actually wrote a math book) so I was able to get her input as I went, which helped a ton.
As far as Finn being an Aspie, I think he could be on the spectrum, sure. He did have some tendencies and thought processes that felt like that to me too. It was fun writing a very non-conventional romantic figure like Finn while still giving him some of the characteristics and qualities that make a girl swoon. <3
Syed Umar wrote: "Amy wrote: "Syed Umar wrote: "Hello Amy, I love your writing and books. Curious to know around what time frame can a new book be expected?And, if I may, could you shed some light on how first dra..."
The wonderful thing about writing as a creative medium is that it is truly so forgiving. Sometimes the original idea becomes something totally different as you go. That's okay. That's part of the process of carving and whittling away, finding the story you really want to tell. I don't think you have to truly commit to a plot or a direction for quite a while. You can go back and layer things into scenes you've written, correct dialogue, etc. The only thing I commit to is seeing the story through. I don't scrap a story once I've invested a lot of time into it, but I do allow it to morph and become something different as I go, which requires going back and fixing things sometimes. I just keep working on it until it's finished.
Amy wrote: "Syed Umar wrote: "Amy wrote: "Syed Umar wrote: "Hello Amy, I love your writing and books. Curious to know around what time frame can a new book be expected?And, if I may, could you shed some ligh..."
This is really helpful. I have had trouble starting for a while now. Not able to exactly think my demographic or the timeline of the story so I appreciate this.
Basically, you let the story shape itself is what I gather.
Patiently waiting for your next.
Thank you Amy for getting back! You're every bit good in person as I had imagined.
New Adult Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Bird and the Sword (other topics)The Queen and the Cure (other topics)
A Different Blue (other topics)
The Law of Moses (other topics)
The Song of David (other topics)
More...
I have loved every book that I've read of yours, the most recent being From Sand and Ash and curious if you plan on writing more historical romance?"
Yes! I am working on one right now that will be released in January of 2019 through Lake Union Publishing. I plan on putting out one after 18 months or so.