Interview with Amanda Carlson and Giveaway - August 6, 2012

Please welcome Amanda Carlson to The Qwillery as part of the 2012 Debut Author Challenge Interviews. Full Blooded (Jessica McClain 1) will be published on September 11, 2012.

TQ:   What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

Amanda:  Well, earlier this year I got myself a stability ball for a work chair. The sitting all day was killing me. So most days I get up, roll out of bed, grab some coffee and start bouncing my way through my writing day. It beats sitting rigid, but it took time to get used to it and I’d have to say it’s definitely quirky.


TQ:   Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?

Amanda:  Lately I’ve been diving into some great UF. I love Amanda Bonilla and her Shaede Assassin series. There are a lot of up and coming authors I’m really excited about, but the ones who sparked my love of fantasy for the first time were Ann Rice & Stephen King. I transitioned from Sweet Valley High right into their works. There was no YA back then. It was a love that started young and stayed with me.


TQ:   Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Amanda:  I’m a pantser all the way. I don’t even put a post it note on the wall. I go through the story without looking back, and then I edit. And edit. And edit. For me the real writing is in the editing. But the rush of getting the story out is the most fun.


TQ:   What is the most challenging thing for you about writing?

Amanda:  Concentrating on the edits the second or third time through is always tough. A book needs a lot of revisiting to get it right. Trying to stay on task throughout repeat edits, especially if they are in a row, is the most challenging. But, as I just said, I do love the editing process, so it’s not too bad. It feels great once you reach that finish line.


TQ:   Describe Full Blooded (Jessica McClain 1) in 140 characters or less.

Amanda:  It’s a fun, fast-paced, snarky, action-packed romp.


TQ:   What inspired you to write Full Blooded?

Amanda:  I started this book years ago and really wanted to write a heroine I wanted to read, as most writers do. The opening scene played out in my mind of Jessica shifting, and that was it. I ran with it from there.


TQ:   What sort of research did you do for Full Blooded?

Amanda:  I didn’t do a lot of research for this book, but I did pull in some actual myths and names. Selene is based on the actual Greek Lunar Goddess named Selene. The name Eudoxia I took from one of Ivan the Terrible’s children, as well as some of the other characters who come up later. I had to research distances that were logical, but the world building was all me. That was the best part.


TQ:   Who was the easiest character to write and why? Hardest and why?

Amanda:  Jessica, my heroine, was the easiest. Her voice is front and center in my mind. None of the characters are too hard to write, since they all come into my head fully formed and ready to go. I enjoy writing all the voices. The humorous ones are easier than the serious ones—that’s why you’ll find a lot of humor in my books.


TQ:   Without giving anything away, what is/are your favorite scene(s) in Full Blooded?

Amanda:  I’m a sucker for action scenes. I love them. Jess gets to kick some ass in this book and each scene was a thrill to write. I loved the sexy scenes too. I’m not sure if I have a “for sure” favorite, but there’s a scene in the end where a character is describing an attack. That one always makes me laugh.


TQ:    What's next?

Amanda:  I’m writing book three, COLD BLOODED, right now and having a blast. After this goes to my editor, it’s time to see if they’d like to option more in the series. Cross your fingers, because I’m excited to keep writing.


TQ:   Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.

Amanda:  Thanks for having me! It was such a pleasure to stop by and chat with you. I hope you enjoy the series.



Jessica McClain

Full Blooded

Jessica McClain 1
Orbit, September 11, 2012
Trade Paperback and eBook, 352 pages

After living in hiding for the last twenty-six years, Jessica wakes up to find she's become a full-blooded werewolf -- claws, fangs, fur, everything. It was never supposed to happen: female werewolves don't exist.

When a mercenary killer comes looking for her, her Pack finds themselves caught in the middle of a war. They must rise up to protect her, but no one knows if she's means the end of their race-or just a new beginning.

Pre-order

Amazon : Barnes and Noble : Book Depository : Books-A-Million : IndieBound

Blooded
Jessica McClain Novella
Orbit, April 11, 2012
eNovella, ~61 pages

Jessica McClain was born the only female in an all male race. The only problem is-she's no wolf. Called a curse, a witch and the Daughter of Evil by the superstitious wolves, Jessica decides to fight for her freedom, at age nineteen, the only way she can-in the ring.

When she's brutally attacked right after her fight, is it enough to finally earn her freedom off Compound, or will she be forced to endure the hatred even longer . . .

Amazon : Barnes and Noble : Kobo

Read my 5 Qwill review of Blooded here.



About Amanda

A Minnesota girl born and bred, Amanda graduated from the University of Minnesota with a double major in speech and hearing science and child development. After enjoying her time as a sign language interpreter, she decided to stay at home and write in earnest after her second child was born. She loves playing Scrabble, tropical beaches, and shopping trips to Ikea. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and three kids. To find out more about the author, visit www.amandacarlson.com or on Twitter @AmandaCCarlson.

Website : Facebook : Twitter : Goodreads










The Giveaway

THE RULES

What:  One commenter will win a copy of Blooded (Jessica McClain 1) from The Qwillery. Please note that the winner will not receive the novel until after it is released in September.

How:  Leave a comment answering the following question:

What is one of your favorite novels, movies, comic, etc. that features a werewolf ? 

Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.

You may receive additional entries by:

1)   Being a Follower of The Qwillery.

2)   Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.

3)   Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.

There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.

Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. You MUST leave a way to contact you.

Who and When:  The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Monday, August 13, 2012. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.

*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*