I’d like to introduce Ami Blackwelder; she is a multi-published author that is working on a new series – The Angelfire Chronicles. Book 1: She Speaks to Angels is out now. It is a captivating story about the life of Ali Maney, a normal teenager in New York City, who stumbles on the parallel world of angels and demons and who gets inexplicably caught up in the middle of it all. Let’s learn a bit more about this book, the series and about the writer behind it.
Welcome Ami! What was your inspiration for the Angelfire Chronicles?
I love angels and wanted to do something a YA audience would enjoy…something with a little mystery, thrills, and romance.
Why did you specifically choose the YA genre for this series?
I just thought this story would work better within the YA frame of mind.
Can you introduce us to your heroine in She Speaks to Angels? What makes her tick?
My heroine is Ali Maney and she is the main character whose story is told in first person POV. What makes her tick? Her curiosity, and her boredom with school. Her father passed away and that shaped her to be a more sensitive person as well as someone searching for answers.
Ali is definitely a complex and multifaceted character. But what makes your characters so vulnerable yet strong? Can you describe them to us?
Well, Ali’s father died and that makes her vulnerable. She is also human. She is strong, because she doesn’t let anyone or anything deter her from the truth. The angels are vulnerable from growing up in foster homes or on the streets, to never having a real human family. Their strength is in the angel-family and in Sammael as their ‘father’. They find strength in wanting to do what is good and protecting the humans and NY.
This sounds intriguing! How do you invent challenges for all your characters?
I let the story flow naturally from my mind. I never have a rigid outline. I didn’t have an outline for this story. I just let it come out as it would naturally each day. Conflict and challenges just arose out of the environment and characters themselves.
How many books will be in this series? When will they come out?
Three, and they will come out in 2012 and 2013.
Let’s change gears a bit and talk for a minute about your writing process. What is your writing schedule like?
Well, when I have time I like to write everyday, but often I don’t have time and then it becomes every weekend.
What is your writing style? Are you a plotter or a pantser? What is your favorite Point of View?
Pantser with some pre-plots. POV? I like both first and third for different reasons for different stories. Sometimes the reader needs to know more than first allows, and sometimes the story is simply more fun in the first person.
What did you learn about the publishing industry from your journey so far?
It is a lot of hard work.
That is very true! What piece of writing advice did you get that meant the most to you?
It is a lot of hard work:) and also never give up on your dreams.
I’d like to find out just a bit more about you and your books. You are releasing a card game for your Shifters series and also in the future for the Angelfire Chronicles. Can you tell us more about what that is and how readers can access this?
Readers will be able to access this when done for free on my website and on scribd as a download free of charge. You just have to print it yourself. There will be trading cards and a card game.
This sounds really fun! I hope readers will check it out. So what is the best response you’ve ever gotten from a reader?
I can’t wait for book 2! 🙂 I can see this as a movie! Your characters made me laugh and cry!
What can a reader expect when they pick up an Ami Blackwelder novel?
Twists and turns, characters you will love, emotions up and down, and unpredictability and originality. A unique social voice.
Ooooh, that’s a good description of your work! Let’s continue with this theme. If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Diligent, determined, daring.
Love it! So… the million dollar question is…Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Both.
And looking towards the future Ami Blackwelder…Where would you like to see yourself in ten years, both personally and professionally?
Married with a child or two and selling enough books to not have to work, but helping out at the Montessori school down my ‘future’ street.
Anything else you’d like to tell our readers?
Check the book out, you won’t be disappointed.
I agree! Thank you so much Ami for this interview. It was a pleasure to have you here!
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