Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written two contemporary romance novels about characters from Silver Bay, a small lakeside town in Wisconsin. I’m currently working on the third book in the series and have a rough plan for the fourth one in mind.
I absolutely love to laugh and have included humor in my books whenever possible. In fact, my editor referred to my books as romantic comedies which came as a surprise to me since I didn’t know that’s what I was writing!
I’m still not convinced they’re true comedies, but that’s what’s wonderful about publishing in today’s industry. As an author, I no longer have to follow strict guidelines or rules in style, novel length, language, or heat level for one specific category of book. I can blend styles and merge categories to create stories that truly fit the individual characters involved.
So while my voice will carry through each of my books, the level of humor, heart, or heat may vary depending on the specific story being told. In the end, my ultimate goal is to always write a book with an enjoyable mixture of emotions, a faced-paced plot, and a lovable hero and heroine who may not be perfect but will always be perfect for each other.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Venture of the Heart, the first book in my new Silver Bay series, was released in January of 2017. While the hero and heroine in the book are from Silver Bay, the majority of the book takes place in Costa Rica. This wasn’t my intent when I started the book, but as the book progressed, it felt right to keep the story based abroad.
A trip my husband and I took to a small luxury resort in Costa Rica inspired the setting of the book. We loved visiting Costa Rica’s natural beauty and friendly people and hope to return there with our kiddos someday.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t believe any of my writing habits are unusual… but I do need a relatively distraction free environment to work. I usually only write when my kids are at school and my husband is at work. I’ve tried writing when they’re home and typically give up when we hit the rate of approximately one interruption per sentence written.
When I’m trying to write, it usually goes something like this… “Mom, can you help me find my white socks? You know, the ones with gray on them not the ones with gray and black on them.” And yes, sadly, I do know which ones he means. Or “Mom, I’m bored. Can I bake some cookies. I’ll do it all myself. I just need help reaching the ingredients, using the mixer, putting them in the oven, taking them out of the oven, and cleaning up.” Or even, “Mel, the dog threw up. Twice. But don’t worry about cleaning it up. We’ll walk around it until your done working for the day.” At which point, I’m usually done working for the day.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Janet Evanovich’s sense of humor and her entertaining characters. I read everything she writes. As for blending humor with heavier emotions and great character depth, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Susan Mallery, and Jill Shalvis are my go-to authors.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the final edits of the second book in the Silver Bay series, Crashing Together. I plan to release it in April of 2017. I’m also working on the first draft of the third book in the series, Lucky in Love. It’s scheduled to be released in the fall of 2017.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I let a marketing expert promote my books so I can focus on writing. (It’s good to know my limitations, right??)
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I suggest new authors think of writing a book as the culmination of completing many, many, many small tasks. It’s too overwhelming to think about writing an entire book as a whole. So don’t. Don’t worry about writing a book, work on creating great characters. Then work on your conflict and plot. Then your setting. Then your first paragraph, first scene, first chapter… or whatever order works for you. The point is, if you keep checking those manageable-sized tasks off your list, you’ll eventually end up with a rough draft and someday—countless hours later—a final draft.
Also, writing takes a ton of hard work, dedication, and self-motivation. It can be frustrating, and it can really suck at times. But every now and then, you’ll have a good day. You’ll write a scene, a paragraph, or even just a line that squeezes your heart and lifts your spirits enough to keep you going to the end. And when you finally hold a copy of your book and you then think about all the crap it put you through, you realize… it really was worth it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Whenever I’m struggling with a scene and want to quit early for the day, I think about this quote from Nora Roberts. “You can fix a bad page. You can’t fix a blank one.”
That’s usually enough to keep my butt in the chair and my fingers on the keyboard.
What are you reading now?
I just finished First Star I See Tonight by Susan Elizabeth Phillips and am about to start Turbo Twenty-Three by Janet Evanovich.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to complete books 3 and 4 of the Silver Bay series. After that, I may write more Silver Bay books or I may create a new series. Or I may do both!
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Tough question! Hmmm… probably Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips for romance, a book on Astronomy & the Universe for education, and anything by Bill Bryson for laughs!
Author Websites and Profiles
Amelia Judd Website
Amelia Judd Amazon Profile
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