New Adult Book Club discussion

Happy Sunday NABC! Hope you are all having a fabulous week. We have the lovely Amy Harmon joining us for a Q&A over the next two weeks. Amy has written such books as A Different Blue, The Law of Moses, The Song of David, From Sand and Ash, Making Faces, The Bird and the Sword, The Queen and the Cure and many others!

Please make her feel welcome and ask her all your questions below!

Is there a book trope you like or are you against tropes when you create a story?

Hello! I'm a new fan of yours. I've only read Making Faces and A Different Blue so far and I made it a goal to read all of your books.

The first thing I noticed about your books are the titles. They have beautiful, no-joke, and interesting titles. How do you determine titles for your book?

Moreover, from the two books I've read, I also noticed some references to history, faith and myths. Will I expect more of these from the rest?

Thank you

Hi Amy!
Do you plan on writing a different genre from what you've already did? If yes, which one?

This fantasy world of Jeru is so complex and your characters are so dynamic, how did you keep all the details straight? Kjell's Journey of self-discovery has many nuances that you weave into such importance later on, your writing style has always astounded me. Is Jeru short for Jerusalem with its symbolism?

If you could bring any of your characters to life and have coffee with them, who would you chose to do so with?

Which do you enjoy more, writing in 1st person or 3rd? What's your writing process like? You have to choose only one, which book is your absolute favorite? Did it hurt to write?

What is the most difficult part when you write a blurb?

I adored Making Faces so, so much. Which book of yours do you recommend I read next for similar feels?

Hi Amy,
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

Hi Amy, what was your last 5 star read and what is at the top of your tbr pile?

☆Tweety ☆ wrote: "Is there a book trope you like or are you against tropes when you create a story?"

Tropes are like cliches - they exist because they are universally true, so I don't mind tropes in general because they reflect life. The challenge is making your reader believe the story, believe that what the characters are experiencing is very personal to them, and therefore, very personal and NEW to your reader.

Briana wrote: "Which do you enjoy more, writing in 1st person or 3rd? What's your writing process like? You have to choose only one, which book is your absolute favorite? Did it hurt to write?"

I find that POV has a great deal to do with the story I am trying to tell. Some stories can't be told in first person, due to the scope of the story. Some must be told in first because the main character won't be understood otherwise; this was true of The Bird and the Sword. Because of Lark's "handicap" I had to tell the story from inside her head. I don't necessarily enjoy one POV over the other, but I am careful to consider what will work best with the story I'm trying to convey.


As far as a book that hurts to write - I think they all hurt to write if I'm doing it correctly. But From Sand and Ash was the hardest to write.

warhawke wrote: "Hi Amy!
Do you plan on writing a different genre from what you've already did? If yes, which one?"

Hi! I have written contemporary romance, paranormal romance, historical fiction and now fantasy. I don't think I will be writing in any other genres. But . . . there's always a first time!

Jessica wrote: "This fantasy world of Jeru is so complex and your characters are so dynamic, how did you keep all the details straight? Kjell's Journey of self-discovery has many nuances that you weave into such i..."

When I write, I do something I call layering. I don't know if I coined the phrase, or if it just makes sense to me, but I write scenes and move on to the next, often going back and "layering" new information into the scene, until every scene is woven together the way I want it. Many scenes become very different in tone or flavor by the time the last layering is applied. As far as keeping everything straight, when you spend as much time as I do - usually six months per book - with a story and a set of characters, you know them very well. You know the world they live in and the paths they will take. However, with Jeru, I did have a sketch of the world next to me on my desk to keep the landscape straight.

Jeru may have been unintentionally inspired by Jerusalem, but it truly was a subconscious thing.

Mercedes wrote: "Hi Amy, what was your last 5 star read and what is at the top of your tbr pile?"

My last five star read was a book by Elizabeth Kingston called The King's Man. Excellent historical fiction with truly compelling characters and a great romance. At the top of my list is Tarryn Fisher's Athiests Who Kneel and Pray. I am saving it until I'm done with my current WIP. I have the paperback sitting on my shelf, calling to me.

Laura wrote: "I adored Making Faces so, so much. Which book of yours do you recommend I read next for similar feels?"

I would love it if my readers would comment on this one! I think each of my books is unique to itself. I try very hard not to write the same story twice, but I have had many people tell me that A Different Blue and The Law of Moses gave them a similar heart breaking, heart-healing reaction.

Loyda wrote: "Hi Amy,
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?"

It depends on the story. I research little things daily, things that occur to me in the middle of a sentence that I have to google and read up on, but the big research, the kind I did with my historical, From Sand and Ash, usually requires three months or so of pretty intensive reading and studying before I even start writing. Once I do, my sticky notes and highlights are constantly referred to, and additional research is ongoing through the writing process. That book took me almost nine months to write if I include the pre-write phase of research.

Carolina wrote: "What is the most difficult part when you write a blurb?"

Not giving the story away while still compelling readers to pick it up. Compel, don't tell. That's the goal.

Tiffany wrote: "If you could bring any of your characters to life and have coffee with them, who would you chose to do so with?"

Oh boy. I have written twelve novels, and I am very fond of all my characters. I think I would be the most comfortable with Wilson, from A Different Blue, or Fern from Making Faces. They are the male/female versions of myself.

Emely wrote: "Hello! I'm a new fan of yours. I've only read Making Faces and A Different Blue so far and I made it a goal to read all of your books.

The first thing I noticed about your books are the titles. Th..."

Titles sometimes are the impetus for the whole story. Something will come to me, a little thought wrapped in light, and I will build a story around that title. Other times, the title makes itself known at some point in the writing. I love titles and chapter headings and take great pleasure in piecing everything together.

As far as history, myths, and faith, those might be my three most favorite things, and I think they make for rich stories. So YES! You can expect some version of all three in all of my books.

Hello!!! Who is your favorite author?

I loved The Bird and the Sword and The Queen and the Cure. Do you plan to write any more books in this world?

These two stories, The Bird and the Sword and The Queen and the Cure, sound so good. They remind me of fables and greek mythology. I would like to know where do you get ideas for your books? What authors and types of stories do you like to read?

Hi Amy!
I have loved every book that I've read of yours, the most recent being From Sand and Ash and curious if you plan on writing more historical romance?

Hi Amy!
What would you say your biggest inspiration is when it comes to writing books? When choosing your characters, do you have a list of their traits, characteristics and personalities before you start writing, or do you have an image of them in your mind and as you write the story and create them along with the journey the story takes?

Have you always loved to write, and what is your favorite book ever?

Amy wrote: "Laura wrote: "I adored Making Faces so, so much. Which book of yours do you recommend I read next for similar feels?"

I would love it if my readers would comment on this one! I think each of my bo..."

Making Faces is my first book of Amy too after that I wanted to read all her books. I read the Law of Moses and the Song of David right after. But it doesn't really matter all her books are amazing!

I think all of the good questions have already been asked! How long does it normally take you to write a book, and do you outline everything first or just dive in?

You're books cover several genres, which do you enjoy writing the most. The fantasy/sci-fi-ish books or the coming of age/romances? Also, I've always wondered (when authors write in various genres)... do you find it harder or easier to write the books that are fantasy? When you are basically making up everything, versus books based in the 'real world' where you can't really create your own rules and whatnot.

what inspire you to become an author?

Do you have any rituals or necessities that you have to do/have in order to get writing? i.e. snacks, drinks, writing in the morning vs. night, on a couch, at a desk, etc.?

Who is your favorite author to read?

Hello Amy! Have you ever created a character inspired by a family member or someone you know?

Hi Amy!
Which book of yours was the most difficult to write and why?
Xo, N

Hi Amy! I've been reading your books for a long time, the first I read was The Law of Moses, and it left the biggest impression on me. The suspense, the hidden truths and the part that's "paranormal" totally blew me away. I'd love to know how do you come across those ideas ... Is it the story you create first, or do the characters dictate the story?

if you could be any book character for a day, who would you choose and why :)

Hi Amy, I love your books!! <3

My question is: Which scenes are the hardest to write and why? Also if you could co-write a book with any author, who would you pick?

Hi Amy!!
So my question is: of all the books you've written, which one is your favourite?

Love all your books, you're a truly inspiration <3

LeerLlenaElAlma wrote: "Hi Amy!!
So my question is: of all the books you've written, which one is your favourite?

Love all your books, you're a truly inspiration <3"

I truly don't have a favorite. I poured my heart and soul into all of them, I worked hard on them, and I'm proud of the individuality of each book. Each is my favorite for a different reason.

Betul wrote: "Hi Amy, I love your books!! <3

My question is: Which scenes are the hardest to write and why? Also if you could co-write a book with any author, who would you pick?"

For me, the battle/action scenes are hardest, because they communicate very specific things and must convey a sense of urgency and forward motion while accurately describing what is occurring. Battle scenes from The Bird and the Sword and The Queen and the Cure took me DAYS to craft.

Betul wrote: "Hi Amy, I love your books!! <3

My question is: Which scenes are the hardest to write and why? Also if you could co-write a book with any author, who would you pick?"

As far as co-writing, I'm not sure I could do it. I write in such a haphazard, roving fashion, it would be hard for me to adjust my process to allow for another contributor. However, I love the way Penny Reid's mind works. It would be fun to work with her. I also love Mia Sheridan and think we could write a beautiful story together.

J. wrote: "if you could be any book character for a day, who would you choose and why :)"

I would love to be Josie from Running Barefoot. She is a piano virtuoso, and I would really love to play the piano like that!

Zeljka wrote: "Hi Amy! I've been reading your books for a long time, the first I read was The Law of Moses, and it left the biggest impression on me. The suspense, the hidden truths and the part that's "paranorma..."

It's hard to pinpoint the origin of a story idea. Who knows what it is exactly that causes a thought to come to the surface or a thread of an idea to lead to another thread and eventually to a concrete plot line. I can't ever answer inspiration questions for this reason. I'm never sure where it all originates. I allow an idea to grow and I don't commit myself to a certain path. I am a true "pantser" and I don't outline. I simply start with a premise, flesh out my characters and begin to construct.

Nadine wrote: "Hi Amy!
Which book of yours was the most difficult to write and why?
Xo, N"

Definitely From Sand and Ash. The research was intense, the subject matter emotional, and the setting enormous. It was a beast, but when I was finished I was very proud of the story.

Sophie wrote: "Hello Amy! Have you ever created a character inspired by a family member or someone you know?"

Usually characters are amalgamations of the people you've come across in your life. However, Bailey Sheen was loosely based on my cousin, who has muscular dystrophy. Ambrose Young's experience in the National Guard, going to Iraq with his friends, was based on my younger brother's experience.

Elizabeth wrote: "Who is your favorite author to read?"

I truly don't have a favorite author. So many authors bring their own magic and style to stories. I think it's amazing that I can love so many and I don't have to choose.

Kari wrote: "Do you have any rituals or necessities that you have to do/have in order to get writing? i.e. snacks, drinks, writing in the morning vs. night, on a couch, at a desk, etc.?"

I've found rituals and necessities to write are simply forms of stalling and procrastination. :-) I have four kids and I work from home. I've had to learn to write in the chaos. Ear phones, ambient music, a huge glass of water and a closed door is about the closest I get to rituals. xo

Putri wrote: "what inspire you to become an author?"

I have always written as a creative outlet. I love words. I love crafting beauty and communication concepts. It was a natural thing for me to write novels, and my first novel was written long before I published it, with no intention of doing anything with it. I finished, patted myself on the back, and tucked it away. Little did I know that that process would change my life.

Marsha wrote: "You're books cover several genres, which do you enjoy writing the most. The fantasy/sci-fi-ish books or the coming of age/romances? Also, I've always wondered (when authors write in various genres)..."

Each genre has its challenges. Sometimes the confines of real world create an easier template, whereas fantasy feels limitless, and that limitlessness can be intimidating. I like changing things up and exploring new worlds, so far, changing genres has worked for me.