Author Bio:
Amanda is the author of The Collector and Incubus (The Incubus Saga, Book 1). She serves as the COO and Managing Editor for BigWorldNetwork.com and oversees editing and series selection, as well as being involved in marketing and promotion. Amanda is also featured as a narrator for several BigWorldNetwork.com series.
Amanda has a Bachelor of Arts in a personally designed major from St. Olaf College in Creative Writing, and has been writing and posting fiction and blog articles online for many years, including maintaining the company blog for Outsell LLC. Amanda spent a summer writing screenplay script coverages for a company in L.A., and is an avid writer and consumer of fiction through film, prose, and video games.
What inspires you to write?
Everything that has a story. I grew up as an avid watcher of TV and movies, a player of video games, a reader of many genres, and an actress of plays, musicals, and just my imagination. All of these things have inspired me to continue living with fiction ever-present in my life. Any time I watch a good movie, read a good book, or play an amazing video game, I am instantly inspired to work on my current (or next) project. I do a lot of people watching, and elements of the people close to me often show up in my characters, but for me it’s all about living fiction. I can never get enough.
Tell us about your writing process.
I’m a planner. If I get inspired for a particular scene, it often takes off without me stopping to over think, but once I know the story I want to write, I outline and take notes like crazy. When I read through to edit, I take notes then too, to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything, such as…oh yeah, he needs his gun later, so I have to remember to have him grab it before he leaves. Continuity is so important, and notes, notes, notes is how I keep it all together. And knowing my plan helps motivate me to write because I always can’t wait to get to the climactic moments.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I don’t believe it’s possible to NOT listen to your characters. I’m not telling the story – they are. If I can’t get something out, can’t write a certain scene, it means I must have heard something wrong, and I have to stop and listen until the characters reveal the truth to me. Sometimes that can take months, before I discover the real story, but it’s always worth it, because when you listen and they start talking, the words simply flow.
What advice would you give other writers?
Write everyday. Seriously. Even if you’re a fiction author, writing non-fiction, like a blog post, still helps. Personally, I start to lose my head when I haven’t written in a few days. Be open to criticism, but don’t compromise the spirit of your story just because someone says it won’t sell, or doesn’t work. There’s a difference between knowing when you have to kill your babies, and knowing when you have to fight for them, and it is a delicate balance. A good core group of supporters who can also be critical is extremely important.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I originally tried to go to the big publishers, tried to find an agent, the usual deal, but it is nearly impossible to get through to people that way. Mainstream publishing is a difficult and heartless place, and frankly, if you don’t know someone already, you’ll never get in the door. I knew I couldn’t self-publish though, because the technical aspects of typesetting just wouldn’t come easily for me. So I went the indie route and am so thankful. I have more control, all the help I could ask for, larger royalties, full copyright, a great editing team, an amazing cover, and a beautiful interior from a publisher who clearly cares about me and my work, not just the bottom line. It’s different for everyone, but if you’re daunted by traditional publishing and don’t think you could self-publish well, there are tons of great indies out there.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think eBooks and audiobooks are taking over, and for good reason. Paperbacks will never disappear, but the big publishing houses are going to find themselves without titles before long, as authors realize they can have more control without them and get a better product out there, the same way musicians are branching out on their own. Author platforms and promotions online are the future as well, without a doubt. You need an online presence, and digital versions of your books to sell.
What do you use?
Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?
gay romance, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, young adult, new adult, erotica
What formats are your books in?
Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Amanda Meuwissen Home Page Link
Link To Amanda Meuwissen Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6831429.Amanda_Meuwissen
https://www.facebook.com/TheIncubusSaga
https://twitter.com/MissSuperCube
http://www.pinterest.com/crimsondomingo/
