Interview: Amy Lillard

Today on Pens and Peonies we have Amy Lillard! Amy is on tour with her novel, Katie's Choice, published by B&H Books.

Bio:

I'm a wife, mother, and bona fide Southern belle. Published author, expert corn bread maker, and Squirrel Princess.

 

Though I was born in Mississippi, I moved to Oklahoma (Boomer!) when I was in high school and met my soul mate and best friend not long after.  Rob and I have been married for over twenty years and have a son--a mom proclaimed prodigy, of course! We have two funny cats and a very lazy beagle.
 

I have always been intrigued with the Amish culture, their gentle ways and slower-paced lifestyle. (And I love, love, love the fact that they stay married for their lifetime.) Until recently I never thought to blend this interest with my love for romance. Okay, okay, I'm a bit old-fashioned and even enjoy the gender roles that are present in this culture.  I love to cook and take care of my family. Yes, that's me June Cleaver with a laptop.
 

I love homemade tacos, shoes, and romance novels--not necessarily in that order. I'm a big fan of country music, a staunch proponent of saving the Oxford comma, and I'm shamefully obsessed with all things Harry Potter.
 

I also love to hear from readers, so feel free to drop me a line: amylillard@hotmail.com or come visit me on the web: www.amywritesromance.com

 "But as Zane draws closer to Katie Rose, Samuel comes back to..." Ooooh, and stick around to enter the giveaway.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your writing career.

I’m a wife and a mother, a Southern belle and a cornbread expert. I’ve been married to my husband for over twenty years (we got married in grade school, you know) and we have one son who’s twelve. Our family is rounded out with two cats, both new additions to our family, and a very lazy beagle-dog. I grew up in Mississippi, but my family lives in Oklahoma. And I make the best cornbread you’ll ever eat.

When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always wanted to be a writer, but I had a teacher in junior high who complimented my use of alliteration. After that, I was hooked. But writing as a livelihood was beyond my comprehension. Then in the early nineties, I starting writing seriously, making several genre changes along the way.

Why are you a writer?

Most writers will tell you there are people who live in our heads. The only way to appease them is to write their story. After that, sometimes, they are satisfied and stop talking constantly. It’s about that time that more characters step up and demand their story be told next.

 

What is your writing schedule like?

Schedule? What’s that? Seriously though, I write every day and take every opportunity to work on something. My family watches a movie, and I’m surfing around looking for pictures for videos or tweaking my site, posting on Twitter or Facebook. Yes, that’s part of writing in today’s world, but as for writing-writing, I work in short spurts all day between loads of laundry and dishes.

What advice would you give yourself if you could go back in time before you were published?

Not to take myself quite so seriously and to be more open to new ideas.

What has been the most thrilling part of being published?

The most thrilling part for me is knowing that others are reading my work and enjoying it. Everyone has stories, but writers have this need to share them. That’s the best part for me.

What do you think makes a good book?

The characters, especially when you’re talking about romances. I believe that any good romance is character driven, simply because there are not that many romance plots. We use them over and over. The difference becomes the characters and how they react in the circumstances that they find themselves in.

How long does it take you to write a book?

With diligent work and focus, I can write a book in about eight weeks. That said, I’m what’s known as a plotter. I outline the book from beginning to end and have copious notes before I type Chapter One.

How many books have you written, and which one is your favorite?

I have written three books and honestly, my favorite book is the one I’m working on now—always. Each book has to feel like it’s better than the one I just turned in. Otherwise, what would be the point?

Do you have an agent?

I do have an agent, the wonderful Mary Sue Seymour of The Seymour Agency. I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today if not for her. Thanks, Mary Sue!

Buy links:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_8?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=amy%20lillard&sprefix=amy+lill%2Caps%2C435&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aamy%20lillard

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Amy-Lillard/Amy-Lillard?store=allproducts&keyword=Amy+Lillard

 

Amy will be giving away a Reader's Prize Pack through rafflecopter, including a copy of Katie's Choice, a bag, a mug, chocolates, etc. 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have I mentioned how much I love people who comment?!?
xoxo ~Marisa