Let’s begin summer and June with a refreshing lady that gives her readers adventures with heart with each installment she composes. I met Mrs. Hale two years ago at Cape Comic Con and I loved her affectionate and light-hearted personality right away. She was easy to talk to and had a book, “Shadows of Jane,” that was a paranormal work. Since that is my first genre, I like to support others who do it, so I purchased a copy. I am still slowly working on it, but what I really appreciated about her was she gave me free gifts: a little box with her cover on it. Inside was a lovely charm, and I also got a flower magnet that is made out of book pages I still love looking at each morning on my fridge. She was like myself; took time to be there for her readers with simple gestures. I always like seeing her at cons and make sure to say hi. She also bought one of my books as well to support me. Her daughter likes anime as well and her husband supports her so much, so I like the whole Hale family! 😀

I am so thrilled Mrs. Hale agreed to be interviewed by me! Now the whole world can see her charm. Without further delay, Mrs. Amy Hale!

Author to Author Q and A:

Where did you grow up? Did your childhood have any impact on your writing?

I grew up in a small Oklahoma town called Blackwell. I’ve always been a storyteller. I used entertain my friends with stories all the time. My mom loved to read and did some writing of her own. And my dad was great with the tall-tales, so I think they both influenced me.

Tell us about the first story you ever wrote, published or not?

The first story I ever remember writing down was a horror book I was trying to write. I can’t even remember the name of it now, but it was about a girl who had been kidnapped. I used to work on it as I rode the bus on the way to tech school (in a neighboring town) and then again on the way back to our high school. It was all hand-written in a notebook. I never did anything with it, and I have no idea where it’s at now.

What are you currently working on, writing wise?

I’m currently working on my third novella for the Havenwood Falls world. This one is for the Havenwood Falls High line, so it’s YA. It’s my first time having main characters that are vampires, so it’s been fun.

What is your favorite character you have ever created and why?

That’s kind of tough. It’s like asking which kid I love more. But I’d have to say that for the moment, it’s probably Jetta Mills, from Flames Among the Frost. She’s just such a sassy, independent woman who takes no crap from anyone. I think she’s what all of us introverts wish we could be sometimes.

Do you have to write in order or do your ideas just come to you and you put them in order later?

I have to write in order. I will write down scenes and then decide what order they go in as I plot, but when it comes down to actually putting the story together, I have to do it in order.

What was your path like until you found writing?

I think we learn from all our life experiences. I’ve tried my hand at a few things over the years. A lot of time was dedicated to homeschooling my kids for many years. I’ve also taught pre-school, worked as a professional photographer (which I still do on the side sometimes), and helped my husband with his sign business for several years when our kids were very young. I’ve tried other odd jobs here and there. I started doing freelance writing for other companies about sixteen years ago and my writing career began to pick up speed from there.

How is your relationship with your publishing company?

I have a good relationship with my publisher. We communicate often and discuss process as we move through the publishing schedule. My editors are easy to work with and are a tremendous help when I’m feeling stuck or are unsure of a plot direction. And I love that they ask for my input on covers and titles for my work.

Tell us about your covers.

I’ve been blessed to work with some seriously talented cover designers. Each project has its own special flair and these designers have always found that perfect something that makes it stand out. I’m a huge fan of symbolism on a cover, so some of my favorites include elements from the story. One example is the burning rose on the Ulterior Motives cover. It was perfect for that story and Okay Creations nailed it the first time.

What inspires you to write?

I find inspiration in a lot of areas. Dreams, music, things I see happen every day, photos… We are surrounded by stories every moment. Some are heartbreaking. Others are exciting and uplifting. Then there are those that are terrifying. I try to grab on to the emotions I feel in that moment and understand why I feel that way. What kind of story can I tell from those emotions? What brought me, or someone else to this spot in time right now? The more you look for the story behind what you see, the better you get at finding it, or coming up with something that works for fiction anyway. It becomes second nature.

How do you get book reviews?

Getting reviews can be tough. We are all so busy, and readers want to relax with their books, then move on. They often don’t have time to sit down and put together a review. Or often they are worried that their review won’t be eloquent. I try to remind my readers that a review can be as easy as their star rating, and then saying they liked it or they didn’t. Maybe throw in what they did and didn’t like. Nothing too wordy or complicated. Honest reviews are invaluable to an author, so I try to gently remind people to give their honest, no bull opinions. No judgement from me will ever enter the picture. I will occasionally talk about leaving reviews on my social media pages, my website, or in my newsletter. Sometimes that helps and sometimes it doesn’t. Advanced Reader Copies usually help the most, especially on release day.

What is harder: writing, editing, or marketing?

They are all hard in their own ways. But I think marketing is the hardest for me. There are so many different avenues to try, and none of them are foolproof, but almost all of them are expensive. It’s hard to know where to start sometimes. I’m still learning. And the marketing landscape changes all the time, so it can feel like a never-ending game of chasing my own tail.

If you could publish every book idea you’ve ever had, how many books would you have out right now?

Wow. Well, if I could publish every book idea I currently have written down it would probably close to 50 books. I currently am working on book number 10, and I’m coming up with new ideas all the time.

Have you ever considered co-writing a book or series with another author?

It has crossed my mind. There are a lot of details to work out with something like that and it can get very complicated, but if the write person came along, and the situation was right, I’d jump on the chance.

What do you do to relax?

I love to watch movies with my family. My son and I especially love watching old episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000. My other favorite past time is hanging out with my husband on our Harley. We love the wind therapy as we watch the world fly by. If money was no object, I’d be on a beach all the time, listening to the ocean and soaking up sun.

If you could tell your 14 year old self one thing, what would it be?

Believe in yourself. Don’t give up just because it gets hard or someone tells you it’s impossible. You can do it.

What advice would you have for this upcoming generation?

In general, I would say practice empathy and kindness. We severely lack that in our society. Work hard, smile and remember that we don’t know what others are going through, and think carefully before you react. Compassion is free. Nothing is easy in this life, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do your best and help others along the way.

Have you ever read a book that changed your outlook on life?

I’ve probably read a few over the years and evolved with each one. More recently I remember being shaken by The Shack. I know it’s a work of fiction, but the simplicity of the relationship between God and man was beautiful and it helped me take a look at my own spiritual life. I also really loved the newest book from Rachel Hollis titled Girl, Wash Your Face. Ever since finishing that book, I’ve tried to remind myself that I can achieve my goals, even if the progress is slow. We all stumble. We all have to pick ourselves back up and keep trying. My attitude and how I look at life will determine how I move forward.

Do you have a classic piece of literature or a classic author you are fond of? How about one that is overrated?

I adore Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. That book stood out to me as a young reader. It had all the elements that kept me wanting to turn the pages. I also love works from Jane Austen. And my darker side loves Edgar Allen Poe. I can’t think of any that are overrated, although I have a hard time pushing through some Shakespeare works.

Any type of music that gets your writing juices flowing?

It really depends on what I’m writing at the time. I use music to set the mood, so I often have a playlist for each book. If it’s a sad part of the book, I’ll choose music that makes me feel the heartache. If it’s a battle scene, I’ll listen to something heavy and loud to get my blood pumping. You get the idea.

If you could pick three people who are your heroes or role models, who would they be and why?

That’s a tough one. There are so many people I look up to. Off the top of my head: Jared Padalecki is one, because he openly speaks out about his battles with depression and mental illness and has worked to eliminate the stigma surrounding that discussion. This is a cause that is near and dear to me. I appreciate all he’s done with his Always Keep Fighting campaign, as well as his work with fellow actors on the You’re Not Alone network to create a hotline for those who need of someone to talk to. Another would be my mom, Janice McGuire. She was never one to let someone go hungry or without safe shelter. Everyone was welcome at our house. She had a compassionate spirit that I work hard to emulate every day. And another would be my husband John. He’s one of the hardest working people I know. It doesn’t matter what he’s going through, or how he feels, he knows that people are depending on him and he pushes himself to do what needs to be done. There are times when I worry that he pushes himself too hard, but everything he does he does out of love, commitment, and a feeling of responsibility.

Dog or cat person?

Both, although if I have to choose – cat. They are self-reliant and I like that.

What do you want to eat right now?

A chocolate cupcake sounds great!

If you could be in any movie that has already been made, which one would it be?

So many great movies! The first one that came to mind was The Proposal.

What is your favorite holiday or time of year?

I love the fall and Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love all the lights.

Anything else you would like to add?

Thanks so much for talking with me! I enjoyed this and I love hearing from readers and authors alike, so feel free to look me up on social media or my website to chat!

About the Book:

I’m a writer in the Havenwood Falls project and I currently have two books out, with another on the way. One is YA and suitable for all ages, the other is NA and more suited to adult readers. I’d be happy if we could promote one of those. Probably the YA since it’s more universal.

Somewhere Within (A Havenwood Falls High Novella) by Amy Hale

Welcome to Havenwood Falls, a small town in the majestic mountains of Colorado. A town where legacies began centuries ago, bloodlines run deep, and dark secrets abound. A town where nobody is what you think, where truths pose as lies, and where myths blend with reality. A place where everyone has a story. Including the high schoolers. This is only but one…

With her raven-black hair, porcelain-white skin, and shy demeanor, Zoey Mills has been the target of bullies since childhood, no matter how many times her family moved. She expects nothing to change when they relocate to Havenwood Falls, her parents’ hometown. What she doesn’t expect is to discover that she inherited her eccentricities—as the next generation of a long line of frost dragons.

As she learns to accept she’s on the cusp of becoming a shifter, she finds out her new best friend isn’t human, either. But the boy Zoey’s fallen for is, earning the disapproval of her grandfather and patriarch and fueling the fire of a decades-long feud among her extended family. Elitism and prejudice take on whole new meanings.

While she wants to trust her instincts and follow her heart, Zoey discovers that hiding who she really is and playing by the rules would make life a lot simpler. But simple doesn’t mean easy. She must find her strength somewhere within and embrace her destiny—or risk losing everyone she cares about. And all of this on the eve of her Sweet Sixteen.

This is a Young Adult paranormal romance in the Havenwood Falls High series of Young Adult fantasy stories featuring a variety of supernatural creatures. The series is a collaborative effort by multiple authors. Each book is generally a stand-alone, so you can read them in any order, although some authors will be writing sequels to their own stories. Please be aware when you choose your next read. Amy also has a book in the Havenwood Falls New Adult line titled Flames Among the Frost.

About the Author:

Since childhood, best-selling and award-winning author Amy Hale has been creating exceptional stories that summon a whirlwind of emotions and inspiration unto the reader. She loves creating characters and worlds from nothing but her imagination and a few glasses of wine. Her love of the written word has not only resulted in her writing some of her reader’s favorite adventures, but has also manifested itself in the form of book hording. She’s convinced it’s not a sickness.
She debuted her first fiction novel in 2015 after retiring from 13 years of non-fiction writing for various online entities. For the last couple of decades, she’s also carried the titles of Laundry Goddess, Chef, Butt Wiper, Soother of Temper Tantrums, and in more recent years, Moderator of Sarcastic Eyerolls and Sass. She resides in Illinois with her husband, as well as two grown children who claim they are never moving out. Regardless, they are the center of her universe, although her cat believes otherwise.
If she had any spare time, she’d love music, photography, watching Mystery Science Theater 3000 with her family, and long rides on the back of her husband’s motorcycle.