Sunday, November 15, 2015

November Author Interviews Featuring Amy Joy Lutchen



Today I'd like to welcome, Amy Joy Lutchen! 

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions. 
I'm excited to have you and can't wait to learn more about you.




1. Where do you find inspiration for your books? 
Inspiration is everywhere… It could be found during a heated conversation, in the wicked smile of a stranger, in a daydream.

My first book’s inspiration came while I was suffering from some really crappy stuff in my life. Along with watching my mother battle kidney disease, I had experienced a nightmarish, brutal attack by a stranger in my own home. Afterwards, I was in such a dark place, I thought I lost all hope and light, that there was no way to escape. But through writing, I found the courage to face my feelings head on. I wrestled them, and captured them on paper in the form of a story. Soon, those horrible events that shadowed my daily life morphed into something magical and inspirational, and my future was transformed. The birth of an epic novel saved me.


Writing is extremely therapeutic, and I say to anyone needing an outlet for angst, try your hand at penning a poem, a short story, or epic novel. Prove me wrong that any literary jam session is not going to help.

2. Is there a routine to your writing?
Routine, schmoutine. 

3. Who are some of your favorite writers? How have they inspired you?
Well, I love me some fiction, and when I think of fantasy, Le Guin, Weis, Hickman, and Gaiman come to mind. But, I have to say I’m fascinated by Stephen King. I’ll read ANYTHING by The King. He could write a story about a roll of toilet paper coming to life and I’d read the hell out of it…and then preach of its magnificence in the paper goods aisle of Jewel.


In regards to inspiration, I’m inspired after EVERY SINGLE BOOK I read – no…devour. And I like to gobble them up weekly.

4. What are you working on now?
I’ve a few books that are current WIPs -- three, actually: the third book of my Renhala series, a standalone paranormal book for teens, and a young adult fantasy novel. All I can say is that I pride myself on unique ideas, and all of these tomes are sure to make you wonder what the hell I’ve been ingesting. But don’t get me wrong, they’re still smart and complex; they’re full of twists and turns that will surprise you.  

5. What advice would you give to unpublished writers?
Keep writing. And then write some more. Keep the passion through the whole process and you’re bound to reveal a polished gem.






Coffee or Tea
TEA! All of the flavors! There resides a magical place in my home we like to call Tea Mountain. It’s a whimsical place where mommy often gets lost.

Wine or Beer
Water. Water. And more water. And tea.

Movies or Books
Pfft. Books. I want to draw the images of the characters and create the scenery myself. If I want Thor to rescue the damsel in distress, the hero will wear a red cape over muscles the size of small countries.  

Hemsworth or Pratt
Thor all the way—cape, Mjolnir, and all. 












Summer or Winter
My fair skin fights with both. Summer turns me into a sweaty mound of red, splotchy flesh, and winter transforms me into a white, flaky-skinned, walking corpse.    

Beach or Mountains
Mountains, where I can hide during the zombie apocalypse. Unless it’s winter, than I could just blend in…

Pizza or Cheeseburger

Pizza with a boatload of veggies. Olives, spinach, red peppers, tomatoes—anything healthy, really. But my momma always taught me to eat a balanced meal, so let’s not forget the almighty protein known as bacon.

Love at First Sight or Friends to Lovers

Friends to lovers. I believe in finding out first what comprises a mate, like their tendencies for adventure…before I introduce my stash of red capes.

Halloween or Christmas
This is the hardest question by far. I’m thinking the joyous holiday Hallowmas is my favorite. You know, the one where your friends and family buy you bloody appendages and you fancifully decorate the neighbor’s dead and decaying tree they refuse to cut?

Game of Thrones or Outlander
GoT all the way! I’m totally obsessed. Isn’t Outlander like an SUV, or something?














Bio

Was born in Chicago and slept in a dresser drawer for the first few weeks of her life, marking her as a future claustrophobe. 

She studied at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana (man she grew up quick), where she became a number, but decided it was a good number.

She writes with plenty of snacks in hand, making sure they are not in multiples of three. That number makes her nervous.

Inspired by real-life traumatic experiences and driven by a need for changing the horrific into fantastical, Amy wrote her debut series: the Renhala series. Serving as an outlet during dark times, the Renhala series was written as a small step out of the shadows and a giant step toward empowerment.











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