Talkshow Thursday: Meet Author Amy Anguish

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Author Amy Anguish

Linda:  Thanks for joining me today. Congratulations on your debut novel An Unexpected Legacy. Where did you find your inspiration for the story?

AMY: Thanks so much, Linda. I guess you could say the inspiration started at a Smoothie shop in Round Rock, TX. It’s where I got my idea for the setting of the opening scene. When I first got the scene in mind, it’s basically all I had. Eventually, I figured out the conflict (her aunt doesn’t want them to date, but why?), and then had to really work to find out why the conflict existed. I was almost finished writing the book before I found the answer.

LM: The age old question for writers – are you a planner or a “panster,” and what is your favorite part of the writing process?

AMY: I sort of answered this above, didn’t I? I guess you could call me more of a “pantser,” because oftentimes when I start, I don’t plan everything out. I usually know the beginning and where I want the characters to end up. My husband makes fun of me because I tell him I let my characters tell me where the story is going. He says, “But didn’t you make them up? So, shouldn’t you know?” But once you get in their heads and get to know them, characters really do determine what happens.

LM: Research is an important part of the writing process. How did you go about researching An Unexpected Legacy and did you discover anything…unexpected - LOL?

AMY: I didn’t have to do a whole lot of research for this story. I like to stick with the old adage of “write what you know.” But there does always seem to be something in each story that needs a little digging. In this one, it was the war in Vietnam. I am so blessed, though, because I’m married to a history teacher and he’s a huge help in things like that. I think the most unexpected part was that my original timeline for the story didn’t match up with the actual dates of the war so I had to shift a few things around at the end to make them historically accurate.

LM: As an English major, you must have studied plenty of literature. Who are your literary heroes?

AMY:  This is sort of a hard one because there are so many, but the books I continue to go back to that I fell in love with in school are Anne of Green Gables (what’s not to love?), Jane Austen’s Emma, and of course, Jo from Little Women.

LM: Here are some quickies:

AMY:

Favorite food: chicken enchiladas with sour cream sauce (of course with all the sides, especially chips and salsa) – although a big old ice cream sundae ranks right up there, too.

Favorite vacation spot: What’s a vacation? Ha! One of the favorites we’ve gone on was to St. Simon’s Island, GA. Although I’m dreaming of the day we can go to Disney World.

Favorite place to write: my comfy chair by the window, a colorful throw over my legs, my laptop in lap, and a cup of tea at hand.

LM: What are you currently working on? 

AMY: Several things, actually.

Edits on a story about two sisters forced to spend the summer together. While they both work through their own problems, they also have to work out their estranged relationship with each other.

Trying to write a novella loosely based on my Grandparents’ story because I’ve loved hearing it over the years.

And of course, always more ideas floating around in my head, waiting for Nanowrimo (my big writing time each year).

LM: Where can folks find you on the web?

Amy:  http://abitofanguish.weebly.com

Book Blurb: Smoothies brought them together, but would the past tear them apart?

When Chad Manning introduces himself to Jessica Garcia at her favorite smoothie shop, it's like he stepped out of one of her romance novels. But as she tentatively walks into a relationships with this man of her dreams, secrets from their past threaten to shatter their already fragile bond. Chad and Jessica must figure out if their relationship has a chance or i there is nothing between them but a love of smoothies.

Purchase Link for An Unexpected Legacy: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B076MDGFS4