I met Andrea through the WLC, and we have been working together through different events, and I’m happy to have her on my blog today as part of the ebooks for soldiers initiative. Andrea is a fellow Indie author who writes YA Fantasy, and she’s here to discuss her novel, The Chosen, as well as letting us learn a little about the author behind the book.
Welcome, Andrea! Can you tell us about yourself?
I have enjoyed writing since I was a kid. When I got to college, I decided to turn it into a career, and earned my BA in Journalism. I have been freelance writing for several years now.
I have always wanted to write a book, and decided I wanted to write for children. I love fantasy movies like “The Lord of the Rings” and “Harry Potter,” so I decided to try my hand at writing one of my own. I am very excited to announce my first publication, “The Chosen,” a young adult fantasy I worked on for about three years.
I live in the Tampa Bay, FL area, where I grew up. I am originally from NJ.
When did you decide you wanted to be a writer and published author?
I enjoyed writing my whole life, but it wasn’t until college that I decided to turn it into a career. I was aiming toward something else that ended up being the wrong profession for me. Faced with the question “What do I want to be when I grow up?” I was pretty flustered. But my sister said, “You like writng. Why don’t you do that?” So, I decided to change my major to journalism. After graduating and starting my freelance career, I decided to try my hand at a book.
Who is your favorite author?
Danielle Steel, J.K. Rowling, Rick Riordan, and Nicholas Sparks, in that order.
What is your writing routine like? Do you like to listen to music? Work in complete silence?
I don’t really have one. I have a heart condition that limits my activity level. What I like to do is check my emails, twitter and Facebook when I get up and am having breakfast. Then it just depends on how I’m feeling. I’ll go back-and-forth to my desk throughout the day working on articles, editing, and writing.
What’s your book about?
A group of warriors sent on a mission to save their world from an evildoer. Halli is a dwarf who learns she is a Holy Paladin with the power to heal, and will be joining the warriors as their healer on the mission. Throughout the book, many bonds are formed as they travel through their world to the evildoers land to destroy him. The battle takes place at the climax of the story.
If you had to pick a theme song for your book, what would it be?
“Hero” by Mariah Carey
What was your inspiration for your book?
Fantasy books, movies, and role-playing games.
Which character in your novel do you relate most with?
Halli. She is me.
Visit me on my website: http://www.andisrealm.webs.com/
You can purchase “The Chosen” from Solstice Publishing (http://bit.ly/tyKAbq) or for the Amazon Kindle (http://amzn.to/sZvcvp).
If you want to participate in Ebooks for Soldiers, please visit the website and blog and get in contact with Author Michael Lorde. Please share the links with the soldiers you know. We want nothing more than to give back to them, so please, share on twitter, facebook, or even Google+.
Dreaming Awake 