Welcome to #TeamMoe – Amanda Quain!

I’m insanely excited to welcome Amanda Quain to #TeamMoe! Many of you blog-readers know I’ve been on the hunt for a fairy-tale retelling (and, yes, I still am!) and Amanda landed just that in my inbox. I can’t wait to be able to share this book with the world! Enough from me. Time to meet Amanda in her own words!!

BookEnds Interview Questions for Amanda Quain

Tell us a bit about your writing process. Where do you write, and how often?

Like many authors, I have a beautiful desk, right next to a window… and I use it to hold the mail. I write just about everywhere EXCEPT that desk! If I’m drafting, I do need to be sitting up, so my dining room table is usually my first choice at home. My preference is going to a library or a coffee shop when I have long stretches, just to get out of the house!

When I’m drafting, I try to write every day, but that isn’t always possible with my schedule. Luckily I write fast, so once I get into the groove I can knock out a few thousand words an hour.

Do you have any writing rituals? (e.g. burning a candle if you’re having trouble getting started at the computer or writing longhand first if you’re feeling uninspired.)

I have a playlist that is supposed to imitate the sound of the Ravenclaw Common Room, so that’s my first choice! I also wrote the entirety of the manuscript I signed with to the Broadway Revival soundtrack of Cinderella, so that always get me in the mood to dive back into the story.

Why did you choose the genre you’ve chosen?

Frankly, I’ve never had an interest in writing anything that ISN’T young adult. Coming of age stories are my favorite type of story! Plus, I love the heightened emotions you get to play with when writing young adults. Everything is the first of its kind, and you just don’t get that writing for other age groups.

What book do you wish you had written, and why?

Harry Potter is probably cheating, right? Let’s go with NIGHT WATCH by Terry Pratchett. If you haven’t read the Discworld series, get on it; it’s science fiction fantasy political humor and it’s glorious. I love all the books in the series and started reading them at an inappropriately young age, but none of them are as masterfully woven together as NIGHT WATCH. It manages to pack a huge emotional punch while also being hilarious, which is basically my life goal as a writer.

If you’re not reading or writing, what would we catch you doing?  

I work as a bookseller at One More Page Books, so you’ll find me there shouting about my favorite YA books to unsuspecting teens. I’m also a professional actor (being a writer felt like TOO secure of a living) so I’m often juggling my writing schedule with rehearsals.

Do you get inspiration from any TV shows or movies? If so, which ones?

Heck yeah. Merlin is a big one, as are Doctor Who and Firefly, obvs, owing to me being a giant nerd. I love ride or die friendships more than anything, and TV shows are a great place for that. I also treasure The Office and Parks and Recreation for keeping me on my toes comedically.

What’s your favorite quote about reading or writing?

I adore this Shannon Hale quote- “I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.”

Where can readers find you on the web and social media?

You can find me on Twitter and Instagram @quainiac!