Indie Author Spotlight Amanda Shelley

Meet Author Amanda Shelley

Genre: Contemporary Romance. Some are steamy, others are sweet, but all have strong characters with a bit of sass

About Amanda Shelley

Amanda Shelley loves falling into a book to experience new worlds. As an avid reader and writer, sharing worlds of her own creation is a passion that inspired her to become an author. She writes contemporary romance with characters who are strong and sexy with a touch of sass.

When not writing, Amanda enjoys time with her family, playing chauffeur, chef and being an enthusiastic fan for her children. Keeping up with them keeps her alert and grounded in reality. She enjoys long car rides, chai lattes and popping her SUV into four-wheel drive for adventures anywhere.

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We asked Amanda a quick round of questions, and here are her answers:

Q1: Is writing your full-time career? Or would you like it to be?

A: I would love for this to be my full-full time career, but at the current time, I also teach elementary students.

Q2: Describe a typical writing day.

A: I typically write in the evenings, as I work all day and am a mom to four kids. The hours I write the most are between 10 PM and 2 AM. I typically start by rereading what I wrote the day before and then write until I reach a specific word count, finish a scene, or my eyes won’t stay open. It varies on the day. But Then I do it all over again the next day.

Q3: Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing the story?

A: I start by getting to know my characters or waiting for the voices to start talking in my head. Once they start talking, I develop their backstory, so I know their wants, need, and motivations. Then I loosely plot out the major points of the book. If there is a specific career or specialty for one of my characters, I research that first before I begin writing. Then I pants my way through the story. I don’t always know how they will arrive at their destination but I always have how the happily ever after will happen. The fun for me is as my characters develop, I know them better and if I need more research, I do it at that time.

Q4: Describe your perfect book hero or heroine.

A: My perfect hero/heroine is strong, independent and down to earth. They have a huge heart, are quick witted, yet stubborn to a fault. They are not perfect by any means, but they are the perfect one for their Hero/Heroine.

Q5: Does writing energize or exhaust you?

A: Writing absolutely energizes me. I can live off much less sleep, when I’ve been up writing. There’s a high that’s almost euphoric which propels me in continuing to write the story.

Q6: What was your hardest scene to write?

A: Sometimes I find the transitional scenes between the big events in the story are the hardest for me to write. My mind wants to move to the next big event, but I know there must be a transition so readers will follow me with my character’s journey.

Q7: Do you ever google yourself?

A: No.

Q8: How long on average does it take you to write a book?

A: It typically takes me 3-4 months to write a book from start to finish.

Q9: You’re hosting a literary dinner party, which five authors would you invite? (alive or dead)

A: I would invite my favorite authors to read (that I have yet to meet). This would include Lisa Swallow, Lauren Rowe, Marquita Valentine, Tammy Falkner, and Sawyer Bennett.

Q10: Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

A: Inspiration hits me anywhere. I have been driving in a car, in the shower, and even while writing other books, it will strike. I never know when plot-bunnies will multiply.

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Amanda agreed to participate in a little flash fiction.

This is the cover of your next book, write the opening paragraph…

“Come on, you gotta do this. Everyone’s counting on you,” Tootall pleads from the end of the dock.
No that isn’t his name, but it’s the name my camp co-counselor has gone by this entire summer.
He and my platoon insist on partaking in the polar bear plunge. If all of us jump, we will be in the lead for the camp trophy.
Sure I’m all for competition, but who the hell jumps in a lake at 6AM?
It’s barely light out and last night it was in the low 60’s.That lake is nowhere near warm.
“Come on Sam, you can do this!” Echo, another member of my team pleads.
Shaking my head, I remind them, “We’ll still be in the lead, even if I don’t turn into a popsicle.”
By then Mac, the sexy counselor I’ve had a crush on this entire summer turns his attention my way. “I’ll hold your hand if you need me to Sam.”
He reaches for my hand and gives me a knowing smile.
Why the hell do his deep green eyes and sexy smile turn me into a puddle of goo. I’d follow him anywhere to keep his lazy grin on me.
Apparently, that means I run the two paces and plunge into the dark depths of the ice-cold water.
To his credit, he never lets go of my hand and he’s the first to hoist me out of the water onto the deck where Tootall awaits with towels for the both of us.
“Yes! We’re in first place,” Mac beams as he wraps his arms around me in a hug.
I might be freezing cold, but when he touches me, I’m warmed from the inside out.”

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