Dare You To Lie by Amber Lynn Natusch [Author Q&A + Giveaway]
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Author Q&A
What is the first book that made you cry?
Charlotte’s Web
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Ha! Both… it really depends on the day, the scene, and how close to deadline I am.
Does a big ego help or hurt writers?
I don’t think a big ego helps anyone. Ever. When you buy your own hype, you stop listening to those who can help you grow as a person and as a writer.
Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
I did for this most recent release because it’s YA, but my publisher didn’t seem concerned about it so I didn’t bother.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I write the story as it comes to me, and do so in a way that’s authentic to the characters involved. I don’t follow trends; my brain doesn’t work that way AT ALL.
Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?
I think it’s possible, it’s just not possible for me.
What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
I am fortunate enough to have a lot of author friends, some of whom I’ve been close to since the beginning of my journey in 2011. They help push me, challenge my stories when need be, and support me when things get rough. I love each and every one of them. They are invaluable to me.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Keep doing what you’re doing. It’s working 😉
What did you do with your first advance?
My first advance was in 2013. I’d just had my second child, and I think we used the money to finish remodeling our house so we could move into one with a bigger yard.
What do you owe the real people upon whom you base your characters?
Some of them, nothing. Others….probably a fruit basket or two.
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
I have a few half-finished ones that will be published in 2019… I’m a bit behind schedule 😉
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
Google searches that are likely to get me in trouble with the feds—and I do as little as possible because I HATE doing research.
How long were you a part-time writer before you became a full-time one?
I still write part-time by choice. I love my practice and I won’t give that part of my life up for any amount of money or writing time. Working in my office keeps my mind balanced, and I think it actually helps me be effective during my writing time because I know I only have a set amount of it.
How many hours a day do you write?
If you include marketing, promotion, and all the other stuff that goes into being published, I’d say I spend about twenty-five hours a week on writing-related activities.
What period of your life do you find you write about most often? (child, teenager, young adult)
I’d say all of them. They’ve all influenced my life, and all have importance to my writing.
What did you edit out of this book?
Kylene’s mother. She’s mentioned but not present (though that may change in future books….)
How do you select the names of your characters?
I see them in my mind and think of what they embody as a human (or not-so-human, as the case sometimes is), then I craft a name that I think encompasses all those things. It’s surprisingly hard sometimes.
Do you read your book reviews?
I do, though sparingly. How do you deal with bad or good ones? I take them all with a grain of salt and try to glean something helpful from them all to make the next in the series better. Being uncomfortable helps you grow as a person and as a writer. Nothing has the ability to make you uncomfortable like a bad review 😉
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
I do. I love adding inside jokes that only a few people will understand.
Do you Google yourself?
Nope.
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
Dealing with great ideas that hit at the worst times possible.
Does your family support your career as a writer?
Absolutely!!! I’m extremely lucky in that regard. My husband runs the bulk of our practice now and sees most of our patients so that I can have time to write. My kids are so excited to read my books (though they’re WAY too young for that at the moment). My mom makes her book club read my books, and even my dad is going to read Dare You to Lie. He hates paranormal stuff but loves thrillers/mystery.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
I would say four weeks to three months is pretty typical, though that doesn’t include revision time (and some of those require a decent amount of that 😉)
Do you believe in writer’s block?
Absolutely, though I can’t say I’ve had it. I think ideas can be elusive, characters can clam up on you, and outlines can change, forcing you into an unexpected corner you can’t find a way out of. If I ever feel stuck, I just switch to another project until the characters start talking to me again.
AUTHOR LINKS
To celebrate the release of DARE YOU TO LIE by Amber Lynn Natusch, we’re giving away a $25 Amazon gift card to one lucky winner!
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GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS: Open to internationally. One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Amber Lynn Natusch. Giveaway ends 9/18/2018 @ 11:59pm EST. Limit one entry per reader. Duplicates will be deleted.
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