Author Angela Adams writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense.
Today she joins us to play 20 (give or take) Questions. Learn more about Angela
at her blog.
When did you realize you wanted to write
novels?
I’ve been writing since I was a little
girl. English/Composition, now known in our Philadelphia schools as Language
Arts, was my favorite subject. I used to write stories in a copybook and give
the copybook to my grandmother to read. She bought me my first typewriter.
Followers of my blog know that I often mention my grandmother, who passed away
several years ago. I often note her encouragement, love of books, baseball, and
dozens of wise, old sayings.
As an adult, I’ve written on and off for
years. After having several short stories published, I thought I’d try writing
a novel. After writing a few that remain in a desk drawer, I wrote Magic
Moment.
How long did it take you to realize your
dream of publication?
Longer than I had hoped. But my grandmother
always said, “Things happens for a reason.” Had publication taken a different
route, I may not have had the opportunity to meet the people I’ve enjoyed
working with these past few years.
Are you traditionally
published, indie published, or a hybrid author?
My short stories and novel have all been
published traditionally. Magic Moment was published by
Crimson Romance, part of F&W Media which is responsible for Writer’s Digest.
Where do you write?
My laptop goes wherever I go. The basement
is set up like an office with bookcase, desk, and file cabinet. My favorite
accessory is a huge bulletin board that hangs on the wall. I keep all kinds of
sentimental tokens pinned to it. Snoopy comics that I love, Winnie the Pooh and
Dr. Seuss quotes, photos of my childhood dog and my grandmother, both who are
no longer with us. I also have a photo of the 2008 World Series Champs,
Philadelphia Phillies.
Is silence golden, or do you need music to
write by? What kind?
I need noise. During baseball season I’m
listening to a Phillies’ game or a pundit talking about a Phillies’ game. I
also listen to Frank Sinatra, Classic Rock and Oldies. Concentrating on the music helps ease
my frustration with writer’s block.
How much of your plots and characters are
drawn from real life? From your life in particular?
My stories start with a character. For
example, with Magic Moment, I got the idea for a hero who was perceived as
egotistical and self-absorbed, but wasn’t. The character of Chase came to mind
because often people aren’t what they seem. I wanted a heroine who drew out his
true qualities of compassion and sensitivity to others. Then I asked myself “well, why is he
perceived that way?” and “what qualities does my heroine have that draw out his
true nature?”
The idea of having Laura not interested in
a high-powered career did come from a colleague of mine who mentioned that she
wished she didn’t have to work but could spend more time with her children.
Real settings or fictional towns?
A combination of both. We all know Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
where the story begins. The names of the towns of Magic Lake Island, New Jersey
and Sea Tower, Maryland are fictional. Their descriptions are a combination of
the New Jersey shore and the small town in Vermont where I went to college.
If you could have written any book (one that
someone else has already written,) which one would it be? Why?
I’m a big Robyn Carr fan and love her
Virgin River series. Mostly because the place, Virgin River, leaves me
nostalgic for my time in Vermont.
One summer, I sat down and reread each Virgin River book, back to back.
There was no waiting for the next book to be released since I only had to grab
it from the bookcase. It was
great, like watching a mini-series on television.
Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over.
What’s yours?
That I had joined Romance Writers of
America sooner than I did. I had resisted joining because the organization’s
major feature is their annual conference and I never saw it in my schedule to
attend. But, several years ago, I decided to join and found the conference was
the least of what RWA has to offer. Aside from my national membership, I belong
to two online chapters, From the Heart Romance Writers and Elements
of RWA. The elements of friendship, support and guidance that I receive
from fellow members are invaluable.
What’s the best book you’ve ever read?
There are many. One that comes to mind
immediately is a book my grandmother gave me when I was about 12 or 13, Joy
in the Morning by
Betty Smith. Published in the 1960s and set in pre-depression era New York, the
heroine Annie McGairy Brown, comes to New York to be with her law student
husband, Carl. They have little
money, no friends, and are pretty much ostracized from their families for
getting married so young. She also
gets pregnant. Annie is a strong
person who faces every challenge thrown her way with a positive disposition and
confident outlook.
Although this book was written over fifty
years ago, Annie is exactly the type of heroine a writer wants to write and a
reader wants to read, no matter what the time period. I still have the paperback in my bookcase. It’s tattered
with pages falling out and held together with a rubber band. To me, the novel
is flawless with a timeless plot and characters readers pull for.
Ocean or mountains?
That’s tough…but, if I have to choose, it’s
the ocean.
City girl or country girl?
City
What’s on the horizon for you?
Several months ago I began
drafting a new project. This book’s setting is also in Philadelphia. Every day
I walk through Washington Square Park, and one day an idea popped into my mind.
It only seems fair to set the story not only in Philadelphia, but in Washington
Square. A first draft takes me
forever to write, but once I get the initial draft completed, the revising
process is quick. I’m trying very hard not to make my hero and heroine a carbon
copy of Chase Donovan and Laura Roberts. Although I’m finding it a challenge
because I’m very fond of those two.
Magic Moment
When the
FBI brings Laura Roberts – a quiet, reserved bookkeeper– in for questioning
regarding activities at the warehouse where she works, an uneasy Laura resigns
her job – only to be attacked by thugs.
Chase
Donovan intends to spend a few peaceful days on his boat getting his head
together – and finds a woman being assaulted by two men who say his father told
them to do it.
Chase
doesn’t want to believe his father could hurt anyone. Laura doesn’t understand
why she’s a target. Can they learn to work together to discover the truth –
before someone dies?
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7 comments:
It's a pleasure to be featured on "Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers. Thank you so much for the invitation.
Great interview Angela. What was the spark behind your current WIP?
What a GREAT interview! I too have Dr. Suess pinned beside me on a cork board! Ha!
I'm so excited for your next book!
I love these interviews of people who are only names on a Yahoo loop, but through this kind of interview I get to know some really nice people like Angela.
Snoopy and Beethoven are my all time favorite characters in "Peanuts."
Hi, Linda...usually, the "spark" for me is with the characters, but as I mentioned, I was walking through Washington Square and a couple of scenes passed before my eyes. Thanks for stopping by.
Lani, Dr. Suess is an inspiration to all -- young and old. Thanks for visiting.
Rayne, you are too kind. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting.
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