Interview with Author Amanda M Holt:
Hi Amanda. Thank you for doing this interview. I would like to welcome you to the Romance at Heart Interview and Author Grilling session. *bg* We are interested to find out as much about you as we possibly can, so lets get started...
- Please tell us about your latest book.
My latest eBook is a novella titled “In His Thrall”, the story of the first meeting, inadvertent bonding, and subsequent seduction of the vampire heroine, Sherisse to her half-demon hero, Carlos. In “In His Thrall”, Sherisse has assumed that after the party she attends she will be spending her evening in the company of Sergei, a Russian Prince who – though well groomed and stately – can be a bit territorial.
Enter Carlos Garcia Ramirez, a half-demon with a number of intriguing psychic abilities, one of which he has never before used or known he could use: melding his mind with that of another! Carlos has spotted Sherisse from across the room and seeing her with the Vampire Prince makes his blood boil. He desires her with every drop of his super heated blood. To his delight, and irritation, the Vampire Prince introduces Carlos to Sherisse. A single handshake causes the most unusual thing to happen: their minds become linked – to what end, only the reader will know!
- What can we expect from you in the future?
More erotica (paranormal, urban fantasy, horror) – more novellas and some longer works. I am in Year 4 of my Bachelor of Nursing studies, so once my formal education has ended, expect a great deal of creative energy to be poured into my hobby/writing career. I am currently editing a 110,000 word manuscript for eXtasy Books, a playful romp about a bisexual bartender trying to find her niche (look for “My Experimental Years” in October of 2010).
- How do we find out about you and your books?
You can follow my blog at www.amandamholt.wordpress.com or visit my website at www.amandamholt.com or follow me on twitter, amandamholt . You can also visit my publishers’ websites, www.newconceptspublishing.com, www.extasybooks.com, www.devinedestinies.com.
- How may readers contact you?
Via email holt_writer@hotmail.com or through my blog at www.amandamholt.wordpress.com.
- Do your fans' comments and letters influence you in any way?
Some fans/readers have pointed out some details that seem a little flawed in hindsight (i.e. some of the things my heroine, Samantha Bennet, does in the Reaper Series at eXtasy Books proves that she really IS part human in that she is not the most brilliant lightbulb in the chandelier. She makes mistakes, some of them impact her more than others – hers is a very human struggle in a challenging paranormal setting). Some are encouraging. Others are upset that one of my characters from one of my series finds love a second time (I think the issue was they felt she should have mourned a bit more for the relationship that failed before finding this truer and greater love). I always value my readers’ comments, and welcome critique and criticism. As an amateur authoress, your guidance can only make me a better writer!
- Do you have a favorite comment or question from a reader?
“C’mon! She knows that Ahmed is up to no good! Why would she cut a deal with him for anything?” This was from a reader named Al, who followed my Reaper Series of books at eXtasy Books and was questioning my heroine’s intelligence.
- Why did you decide to write romance novels?
I love to read them, so I wanted to attempt writing one. When I was able to place one successfully at a publisher, Guarding Miranda at New Concepts Publishing, it was all the encouragement I needed to write more!
- How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
Some of my personality and personal choices seep into the character and decisions of my heroines. Some of the heroes take on quirks or traits that my own lovers have had. Some of my characters allies are fashioned after friends that I admire and leaders I respect.
- Generally, how long does it take you to write a book?
It really depends on time commitments elsewhere and my ability to focus my creative energies and attention on a single story or storyline. Sometimes when I write, I become a bit of a “scatter-brain” (for example, it was during writing the Reaper Series that I got a great idea for a story about a young chef, so I wrote a few pages of that – it was during writing the story about the young chef that I got an idea for a story about a travel journalist, so there you go – a good example of how I can be a scatter-brain!). In His Thrall took me approximately three days to write (11,000 words) and a few days to revise. The fourth book of the Reaper Series (70,000 words) I remember writing in about a month and a half and revising in a few days with the help of my editor.
- Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?
I go with the flow at the moment, as school and life in general are pretty random at the moment – but I would love a set schedule where I write for say 2 – 3 hours per day at least 5 days a week. I would be very productive in that time, and look forward to a career with a set schedule so that I could do such a thing.
- What about your family, do they know not to bother you when you are writing - or are there constant interruptions?
I am currently single and love the freedom of doing what I want when I want, unimpeded by concerns for others. If I had a family, I think that it would be more difficult. Right now, I am very selfish with my time, and being a single gal agrees with me. Anyone who ends up dating me or living with me would have to be very agreeable when it comes to giving me my own personal time and space in which to pursue my hobbies.
- What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
Believe it or not – more writing! I keep a series of journals. I also meditate, and live for cat naps.
- What truly motivates you in general? In your writing?
Strong women who – though flawed – are bold enough to pursue their greatest dreams, strive to overcome their biggest challenges, and brave enough to live out their wildest fantasies. I also enjoy letting my imagination lead me – that imagination really enjoys the paranormal and keeps hinting to me that it wants to write a horror novel in the near future.
- Do you feel humour is important in women's fiction and why?
Women carry the world’s woes on their shoulders. It is important for us to find time to laugh. There are elements of humor and comedy in my stories, but humor I think has to be appropriate, well-placed, and well-timed. It should also be tasteful (depending on the company, I guess).
- What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write?
Sometimes I feel that my scenes are too graphic. My editors don’t seem to think so – and I haven’t had too many people telling me to pull in the reins – but I still feel that I should let the characters do certain things behind closed bedroom doors on occasion 
.
- What kind of research do you do?
For the Reaper Series, I interviewed a former police officer and instructor in the Law Enforcement program of a local college. I researched formal police procedure information so that my heroine and secondary characters – all cops – would be closer to the genuine thing.
- Would you like to write a different genre than you do now, or sub-genre?
HORROR!!!!!!! I want to learn to write a good horror novel! I would also enjoy learning the elements of a good mystery plot, but I find them so complicated, I think that they are the most challenging stories to write after historical.
- Please tell us about yourself (family, hobbies, education, etc.)
I am the oldest of four children, the product of one of those rare unbroken marriages. I enjoy writing, painting, reading and amateur photography. I have my Computer Programming/Analysis diploma and intend to graduate soon from my Bachelor of Nursing program. I identify as being bisexual, a pagan who has great respect for the work of the Grey Nuns, and am of Ukrainian-Norwegian-Polish-Russian-Welsh-Irish descent. For fun, I am learning German (slowly), would love to learn Japanese, Spanish, and assorted other languages (time permitting).
- Fill in the blank favorites -
Dessert. My Aunt Gayle’s black forest cake made from scratch with real cream, a favorite childhood memory.
City. To visit: New York or Montreal, so far. To live in: Winnipeg, for familiarity’s sake.
Season. Summer. Not the most original thing I could say, but I sincerely do NOT enjoy being cold.
Type of hero. Superhero! Also, alpha male.
Type of heroine. Strong, preferably a witch.
- Do you have a favorite author?
Male: Dean Koontz, the Odd Thomas series. Female: Nora Roberts, the Pagan Stone series.
- Are you a member of any author groups - RWA, critique groups, etc.?
So far, just the Manitoba Writer’s Guild.
- What do you think of critique groups in general?
I would love to be a part of one, but if you have to be there in physical form to attend, my current geographical location prevents this from occurring.
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
As an RN who, having gained sufficient experience in a hospital setting working in acute and emergent care, now moves along her career path into the position she has longed for: Community Health Nurse with a focus on STI prevention and reproductive health. Possibly married, if the right man comes along. Hopefully, I will have a literary agent by then promoting a larger body of work.
- How long have you been writing - have you always wanted to be a writer?
For as long as I can remember. And yes, this sounds a bit silly to some, but I have always wanted to be a writer. Am I one now? I consider myself to be an amateur authoress.
- How many books have you written, how many have been published?
I currently have 13 eBooks out, some novellas, some full length novels. I have written more, but have not had time or energy to polish them and make them editor-presentable.
- Among your own books, have you a favorite book?
Reaper 4: Soul Talker
- Favorite hero or heroine?
Hero: Kyle Brandt from Reaper 4, mind reader and all around wonderful guy. Heroine: Samantha Bennet, the angel-human hybrid (Nephalim) vigilante of the Reaper series.
- Have you experienced writer's block---> If so, how did you work through it?
Absolutely! Though not for an extended period of time. The thing about ideas – for me – is that they SURROUND me! Every topic, every person, every lifestyle, every career or hobby is a compendium of ideas that is just waiting to be written about. The greatest challenge for me is deciding WHAT idea I am going to tackle out of the hundreds that present themselves on any given day.
- Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?
Read! And read a lot! When you sit down to write, write a lot! Try to write a little bit every day, even if it’s only a writing exercise unrelated to your story or a journal entry. If you don’t have a journal, start one!
Thank you very much for taking the time with us and answering our questions. I really appreciate this interruption to your busy schedule. Good Luck, and we will be looking forward to the next delightful creation from your talented imagination!
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
Author Links:
Amanda's Website Amanda's BLog Facebook Follow her on twitter Email
RaH Links:
Review
Purchase Links:
Buy Amanda's Books
Buy Amanda's Books At New Concepts Publishing
Buy Amanda's Books At eXtasy,
Buy Amanda's Books At Devine Destinies