This is another post in my monthly author interview series. If you’re an author and are interested in being featured in this series, please email me: amanda (at) amandabretz (dot) com.
1.Can you give me a synopsis of your newest release?
Set in the small town of Copperfield, Arizona, Under the Desert Moon focuses on 17 year old Erin Harris. Erin spends her time daydreaming, hoping to escape her small town life. When a movie crew arrives unexpectedly to shoot a vampire film over the summer, Erin’s small town world changes forever.
Erin is positive she has seen the star, James Linkin before in a thirty year old TV show. He hasn’t aged a day! Erin wonders how this is possible, and she is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. But how will James handle the scrutiny of an all too intelligent teenage girl?
2.What’s your creative process: Do you use an outline, write to certain type of music, use document maps, etc?
I try to have somewhat of an outline before I start writing, but it’s usually the idea for a character that comes first, then the plot follows. I’m definitely more of a pantser when it comes to writing stories.
3.If you weren’t a writer what do you think you would be doing instead?
I have no idea. I can’t imagine not writing. In school, I toyed with the idea of being a translator since I loved German. Maybe that’s what I’m up to now in an alternate universe!
4.Personally, I hate formatting, just the term ‘header/footer’ makes me want to run and hide! What’s your least favorite part of the writing process?
Amanda, I feel your pain. Formatting sucks. I wanted to rip my hair out when I first attempted to format one of my books for Smashwords. The editing part for me is probably the most tiring. It can go on and on until you’ve convinced yourself the novel you’ve stewed over for months or years is crap. I’ve learned to take a break from it, go and read a book or work on something else, and then come back in a week or so with fresh eyes.
5.Do you have a mentor or another writer you look up to?
I love lots of writers, but none I would consider a mentor. I admire Marian Keyes’ work very much. Her writing is so poignant and witty.
6.What advice do you have for someone who wants a career in writing?
Read as much as you can. If you don’t have time to read a book, you have no business writing one.
7.It’s been said that to be a good writer, one needs to be a voracious reader. What are your favorite types of books to read and what are you currently reading?
I will devour anything in the paranormal genre before everything else. As I answer this question, I’m ¾ of the way through The Book of Lost Souls by Michelle Muto, and it’s really good.
8.What other interests or hobbies do you have outside of writing?
Going to music gigs, grabbing dinner with my friends in the evenings and at weekends to catch up with everyone, heading to the cinema to lose myself in the story on the big screen and hanging out with my family. It’s all about the simple pleasures of life.
9.What’s your next writing project?
I’m in the middle of my first draft of an adult novel called Night Whispers. It’s slow going, but I hope to have it finished, edited and almost ready for publishing for early next year.
10.How can people reach you online?
Amanda Bretz 
Thanks, Amanda.
Have a great weekend.