Amanda Carlson-Interview and Giveaway with the Author
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With the release in latest in the Jessica McLain series-FULL BLOODED we would like to introduce the author AMANDA CARLSON
TRC: Hi Amanda and welcome to The Reading Café. It is a pleasure meeting new authors.
Amanda: Thanks for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.
TRC: Please tell us something about yourself?
Amanda: Sure. My name is Amanda Carlson and I’m married to a great guy and we have three awesome kids. I was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. It’s cold, but despite the nasty winters, it’s a great place to raise your family. The kids do lots of winter activities, so that makes it more enjoyable.
TRC: Your bio states you started writing after your second child was born-sending email to family and friends about the daily lives of your children. What or who inspired you to write your first novel?
Amanda:After I began writing stories about the kids, I decided to try my hand at fiction. I began taking classes at a literary center nearby and joined my local writing chapter. It’s been a long journey for me to get here and I wouldn’t change it for anything. It’s made me the writer I am today.
TRC: Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing?
Amanda: LOL, what’s not challenging! It’s all challenging, but also tons of fun. Writing is the hardest job I’ve ever done. Piecing together a story, getting the voices right, making sure it’s balanced and the pacing it perfect is so much work, but so rewarding when it’s all done. It’s the best job in the world, but one of the most stressful.
TRC: Many authors bounce ideas between friends and family. With whom do you bounce ideas?
Amanda: n the beginning it was my beta readers exclusively. My husband was the natural choice, but urban fantasy with a female lead is not his genre of choice. Now, I chat with my agent and other authors, as well as my betas. I’m happy to say my husband, after years of training, has become a wonderful editor. He is currently reading my third book a few chapters at a time and we’re having fantastic dinner conversations about the books. How should this guy die? What creepy monster is next?
TRC: BLOODED is the introductory novella in your new Jessica McClain series. Please tell us something about the premise?
LINKS TO ORDER:
Amazon Kindle
B&N Nook
KOBO
Amanda: BLOODED starts seven years before FULL BLOODED. Jessica is fighting for her freedom off the Compound she grew up on. It showcases her plight and gives additional character depth. It’s not essential to the novel, but most readers think it’s been great to start with the novella, because it gives a greater glimpse into her life and her motivation.
TRC: Did you base the lead heroine of Jessica McClain on anyone in particular or is she a culmination of several people or ideas?
Amanda: None of my characters are based on anyone in particular. They usually come fully formed with names and personalities into my brain at full speed. I love that.
TRC: BLOODED is a novella and introduces several characters and the premise of the series, yet it does not overwhelm the reader. Did you find it difficult to write a short story as your introduction to the series?
Amanda: Not at all. I sold the series before I wrote BLOODED. We all decided it would be a great idea to showcase Jessica and my voice before my debut. I wanted to pick a pinnacle point in her life so the reader understood her motivations in the novel. There was nothing more pinnacle than her fight for her freedom, thus the story evolved. I really wanted it to be just a snippet—not long drawn out back story. I think it worked well!
TRC: FULL BLOODED is the first full-length novel in the Jessica McClain series. What is the premise behind Full Blooded?
LINKS TO ORDER
Amazon Paper Books
Amazon Kindle
B&N Nook and Paper Books
The Book Depository
Amanda: The novel starts out with a wicked wake-up call and Jessica’s life changes in an instant. The entire novel showcases her growth and the community reacting to the first female werewolf on the planet. It’s meant to be a fast-paced action adventure full of snark and some heart. I’m not writing any dark fantasy. Jessica is surrounded by family and friends, who all have a certain place in her world.
TRC: HOT BLOODED is the next instalment in the series. Would you please tell us something about the premise?
Amanda: In HOT BLOODED, Jessica is on the journey of her life. She has to find her man, fight her foe and figure who and what she is. It’s non-stop action and full of mythological baddies. It was a blast to write.
LINKS TO PRE-ORDER:
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Paper Books
The Book Depository
TRC: What challenges have you faced with publishing your first novel and series?
Amanda: Most of my challenges have been very minor, and for that I feel lucky. I was out on submission for three months. It was nerve wracking, but I was working on projects so it wasn’t so bad. I think the biggest surprise for me was that deadlines came on top of deadlines. This may be a no-brainer for many, but I like to “plan” for a set schedule in my head, but that doesn’t happen very often in this business!
TRC: How many books have you planned for the series?
Amanda: I have at least five in my head, but I’ll write as many as they’ll contract me for.
TRC: Do you believe you have a specific writing style?
Amanda: I’m beginning to figure it out, but it keeps morphing and changing. I’m a pantser, meaning I fly by the seat of my pants. I write better in the morning than in the evening. Other than that, I’m still figuring it out.
TRC: What are your currently writing?
Amanda: COLD BLOODED, book three in the series.
LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite Food: A cheeseburger from 112 Eatery in Minneapolis. It has melted brie and it’s on an English muffin.
Favorite Desert: Tres Leche Cake
Favorite TV Show: Battlestar Gallactica
Favorite Movie: The Princess Bride
Favorite Song: Can’t You See by the Marshall Tucker Band
Dark or Milk Chocolate: Milk chocolate
TRC: Thank you Amanda for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish you all the best.
Amanda: Thanks so much for hosting me for my debut! It was great to stop by and chat. If anyone reading decides to give the series at try, I hope you enjoy it!
Amanda Carlson is offering a Kindle copy of her e-novella BLOODED to two (2) lucky members at The Reading Cafe. BLOODED is the introductory novella to her Jessica McClain series.
1. You must be a registered member at The Reading Cafe to qualify. If you are not a member, please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.
2. If you are using a social log-in, please add your email address to your comment as Twitter etc does not allow for an email address.
3. Please answer one of the LIGHTNING ROUND questions.
4. Giveaway open to US and Canada only.
5. Giveaway runs from September 14-17, 2012
Thanks for coming to TRC, Amanda. This was a wonderful interview. I think it’s great that your husband is now reading your books, and helps give some ideas. 🙂
What is Tres Leche Cake?
Tres Leche is a Spanish white cake soaked in three kinds of milk! It’s out of this world. Each bite is like heaven.
Thanks for posting!
Amanda
Great interview Sandy and Amanda, and Barb, good question… what is a Tres Leche Cake.
Great Interview, Amanda & Sandy. I enjoyed very much learning about you Amanda, and how you got your book published. I also enjoyed how your husband may not have been interested in Urban Fantasy and a female lead. Nice to see that changed.
Amanda, thank you for coming. I enjoy reading about kick ass women and that she’s the first female werewolf just adds that magic touch. Looking forward to reading about Jessica and her discovery of who she really is. Amanda, I love that fact that you have Jessica surrounded by family and while each has they’re place in her life she isn’t isolated from family. Adding TBR list.
Good job ladies.
It is a great series …you will love it.
Favorite TV Show: Dr. Who
Thank you for the wonderful interview Amanda. The Jessica McClain series is an amazing start for a new author. I highly recommend your series.
Thanks for hosting me, Sandy! It was fun! So glad you enjoyed the series. I hope anyone else who decides to jump in will be happy they did. Happy reading, everyone!
Amanda
Great interview ladies. And I love The Princess Bride as well.
Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die…..Mandy was the perfect Inigo…lol
He really was AND we share the same name. I was always disappointed he wasn’t in more movies after that.
Amanda
Amanda, thanks for letting us peek into your life!! We like stalking authors! lol I think your book series sounds great, I have never heard of them, but they are on my wish list now!!
“as you wish” one of my favorites!! When a man says this line to me, I melt! I still need to watch Battlestar. All of the guys I know RAVE about the series!
Thanks, Jules! Battlestar is such a fave. You will fall into the world. Hope you enjoy the series!
Amanda
Yum that cheeseburger you like sounds really good. Thanks for coming I already have Full Blooded on my list to buy on the first of the month. Except there are two female werewolves Elena in Women of the Otherworld. LOL Will love to read your take on this Amanda. Wolves are an especial love of mine.
Are they Fran? lol Yes we know how much you love your wolves. 🙂
Jessica’s world is very different than Elena’s I can promise you! My wolves can’t be bitten, they are only born. It’s a fresh take on wolves. Hope you enjoy!
Amanda
Very good interview. Thanks Amanda for giving us a glimpse into your life. I think your comment that writing is very rewarding, but stressful at the same time. I can imagine, with deadlines, rejections, etc.
Love your story concept of a long female werewolf. I too was a fan of WOTO, and Elena.
As always, a wonderful interview!!!! Great to meet you Amanda and your books sound like fun to try!!!! As of right now, my favorite dessert is key lime pie!!!! YUM-O!!!
Well done! Great interview and your books sound great too! I will definitely check out this series. Lightening Round: one of my favorite movies is Rush Hour.
I enjoyed the interview, it was fun learning more about Amanda and her books. My favorite dessert is Pumpkin Pie with whipped cream. I always have it instead of cake for my birthday.