Amber is a lifetime writer, despite limitations.

Please, introduce yourself. Tell us about your personal life, family, education. My name is Amber and I am 44 years old. I’ve been writing since I was 11 years old. When I was 10, I actually tried to end my life because I was teased by my classmates at school and by my family. The pain had gotten too much for me to handle. I am thankful, the attempt had failed.

It took me 20 years to publish my first book but I never gave up. My Junior year of high school, my family moved from the small town where I grew up to a larger city where I graduated in 1994. I thought that was a big deal since I wasn’t the smartest in the family. I knew I wanted to write books for the rest of my life so I studied Journalism so I could learn to write with a deadline which did help me write faster. I also took creative writing, was a reporter for the school paper, and took typing which really helped. I majored in English class as well. In 1995, I met my husband. We were married in ‘96 and started a family in ‘97. We had two more children in ‘98 and in 2000 giving us a total of 3 children. Two of them have children of their own now.

My grandchildren inspire me to improve who I am and to keep writing. My oldest granddaughter is the inspiration for one of my MCs which is totally awesome. I’m working on that story as we speak and so far, it’s close to my heart for that reason. I came from a small family. I’m the middle child with 2 sisters. I did have a great relationship with my grandparents but they are gone now. The memories keep me going.

What do you like doing in your spare time? When I’m not writing or marketing my published books, I like to watch movies. I like a variety of genres in the movies just like in my writing. I’ve always been an open-minded person so having variety is always nice. I also like to lose myself in games on my phone but that happens less and less, these days. Being a Nana keeps me busy but I’m not complaining, I love my grandchildren. My first grandchild named me Nana which was cute because I had gotten a necklace that reads Nana on it for Christmas before she could talk. It was like it was meant to be.

If you are active in career fields other than writing, what do you hope for the future of that business? Describe your work or business activities in which you are presently active. I write full time because I am disabled (fighting disability).

Do you have hobbies? How did you get started in them? I’ve had many hobbies over the years. I just do what interests me. I like interior design so I’m constantly changing things around in the house. I watch a lot of HGTV to learn and keep my mind fresh with design styles. I used to collect gel pens but that became too much so I had to stop. There were pens everywhere lol. And I used them so sometimes I would buy the same pens two or three times. I would like to get back to that because they were nice having around. I like singing karaoke so I guess that’s a hobby. It’s been a while since we went out but I still sing every now and then.

If you are a writer, are you an avid reader? I don’t read like I should but I do read a book or two now and then. Babysitting my grandchildren and taking care of the house does take some of my time away. And when I’m free, I try to work on my books. Marketing takes a lot of time so that keeps me busy as well.

What is your ultimate writing goal as you see it today? Right now, I write, edit, and publish 3 books in a single year. I’d like to see that move up to 4, working on one book each season. My biggest goal is getting my books on the big screen. I gave myself 5 years before attempting it because I wanted to get my name out there first. It’s been 2 years so far so 3 more to go and then I’m going to work on finding producers and such. I’m not getting my hopes up but I will work hard getting my books out there. It would be really cool to see one of my stories on the screen, seeing my characters come to life in a way, my imagination didn’t. I am a dreamer which is why ideas just come to me so I’ll keep dreaming until it becomes a reality.

What inspired you to write your first book? I was on a trip with my grandparents and little sister. It was a long trip so my sister and I brought paper and pens with us to draw with. I was daydreaming, thinking of something to draw when suddenly an idea popped into my head. Instead of drawing, I began writing. I don’t know what it was but I was drawn to it like it was something I was meant to do. I’ve been writing ever since. There wasn’t anyone to help me so I read every book I could get my hands on, teaching myself about writing books. I was 100% devoted to writing and improving my skills. I’m still learning and growing. Writing saved my life from the world of pain that I was in. It gave me the escape that I needed. It is who I am and who I always will be.

How do you decide on the title of a book? It varies on the book. Peterson Estate was the name of the castle. Mother of the Dragons was just that, she was the first dragon, giving birth to a new species hence mother. Cursed Blood came to me through a nightmare because I thought I was cursed and the nightmare woke me up. I immediately wrote the dream down and began writing it. The title just stuck with me. Stolen and the original story of Stolen Identity were part of the story so the title just made since. The Dead Life was just a working title but I liked it so I kept it. I usually think of the title for a little while and if it’s something that works with the story itself, I use it as a working title. Sometimes I change it, sometimes I keep it. It just really depends on the story.

Have you developed a specific writing style and why? I really just write like how I talk in general but I also let my characters tell the story so it really depends on the character. Who they are and how they act, determines how the story will be told. So, I really don’t have a specific style with my writing. I do but I don’t. If that makes sense.

How much of your books is realistic and experiences based on someone you know, or events in your life? If I had to throw out a number, I’d say maybe a third of it has some realism in them. I’ll take pieces of people I know and throw them into the story, either physical traits or personality. With Fairytale’s Truth (WIP), the entire MC is based on my granddaughter, physically and personality wise. A memory from one character was real. An action by another character was based on one of my daughters. Many of the names I use are from people I know personally or through fictitious people I know from shows and such.

Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you? Stephen King was always one who rose above the others. He was twisted. And I liked how he connected his books through the characters in them—where they were from, who they were, etc. I always thought that was really cool. And he was in his 40s when he started writing which gave me hope that I could make it as a writer even though I was much younger when I started out.

Do you remember the first book you read? No, I don’t, but I do remember the first book I read as an adult. It was written by King and it was really twisted, more than the other books he wrote. The book is called The Long Walk. Now that I’ve read it, I wish it was made into a movie because I’d love to see it. I am a visual person so I do prefer movies over reading but like I said, I do read every now and then.

Is there an author, past or present, you would love to meet? Why? Stephen King, of course. I’m a really big fan of his and I’d love to get a picture taken with him and his autograph. Just talking to him would make my day. I love using twists in my stories and he’s a twisted author. I would just go nuts, kind of like a person going nuts if they meet their favorite actor or singer.

If you could not write, how would you express what you wish to convey through any stories? If I couldn’t write, I would go crazy. Seriously, this is who I am. I want to write until the day I die. If I became blind, I’d find another way to keep writing even if I have to use the speak-to-text feature. It would be like running out of air, I couldn’t live if I was forced to stop writing.

When you see new authors struggling, what single piece of advice could you give them on a moment’s notice? I’d tell them not to give up and keep writing. But at the same time, I’d tell them to keep learning the craft. Read books on writing. Read books in general, even if it’s not all the time just keep reading. Keep writing. I’d also tell them to make a lot of friends because that can help when it comes to marketing but it is important what kind of friends they make. I would explain about the audience target as well and let them know those are the kind of friends they should aim for. Friends, meaning social networking. I know the question asked for a single piece of advice, but I can’t stop with just one. I know what it’s like to be alone with the learning on writing so I’ve always helped more when I can.

How do you want others to see you or remember you? Is it important to you? That I didn’t quit. I started from nothing and kept going. I learned where I could, when I could. And once the ride started, I kept moving forward. I’d also love to be remembered for the twists that I used in my stories. Being remembered is important to me but it’s more important to be read and that’s what I’d really love the most—just being read.

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