This virtual book tour is presented by Bewitching Book Tours.
Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the tour.
It is my pleasure to feature Pandora Richardson and Lost.
Enjoy the interview!
? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I used
to write short stories for my classmates in the 6th grade, but I
never had a desire to be a writer. However, I’ve always been a creative person.
In fact, I was in fine arts from 1st grade until I burned out in the
11th. Several years ago I read a comment somewhere from Charlaine
Harris that said something to the effect of “if you’ve read a lot in a
particular genre, your practically an expert and can write in that genre” I’m
probably butchering Ms. Harris’ words or intentions, but I took that as a sign
to throw my hat in the ring and get to writing. I’m more of an expert in
Vampires than I am shifters and although my original plan was to write a
Vampire novel, I decided on a werewolf due to the challenge. Writing for me is
like painting words, so I feel at home.
? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?
I can’t
wait until I can answer this question in the past tense when writing is my only
job. Right now, I’m a consultant in the IT field and write whenever I can. But
I’ve run the gambit of jobs from fast food, to computer repair, to admin
assistant.
? How long does it take you to write a book?
Lost
took over a year, but now that I’ve found my groove, half the time. I’m almost
a quarter done with the second Amelia Jones novel and I’ve only been writing it
for a month, not to mention I’m concurrently releasing short stories for my
erotic series and working on several other projects.
? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
The
later I write the more erotic the writing gets. Several of my erotic scenes in
Lost were all written between 1am and 4am.
? Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame
of mind to write?
I tend
to read a chapter or two from a favorite author to inspire me when I really
need to get into the right frame of mind. Otherwise, I open up Spotify or
Pandora, start my playlist, and begin writing.
? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?
I’m
still trying to figure that out. Often I’m daydreaming and I think “what if”
and then something happens. For instance, I was driving to the mall recently
and saw an old farm house and thought, what if a group of zombie apocalypse
survivors were in there as the horde approached and then when all hope was
lost, a group of vampires rescued them. I’m currently writing a new novel based
on this concept. Other times other authors inspire me. In one of the Sookie
Stackhouse novels, Eric had amnesia. The idea of a vampire with amnesia stayed
with me and I began writing a novel about an ancient vampire who wakes up in
the future with no memory of who or what he is.
? How do you decide what you want to write about?
I tend
to think of writing like painting. I want to explore various colors and their
hues and see how to mix them up. So I may think about writing a vampire
character, but I try to add a twist or concept that either hasn’t been done
before or unique to the genre in someway. Sometimes I don’t even know what to
expect. I just let it flow and like my favorite artist in my childhood, Bob
Ross, I often add things to the picture as I go until it’s complete. Amelia was
just a werewolf detective when I set out to write her, but then I began to
explore her life and the unique challenges she faces in a world surrounded by
humans and raised by gay parents. This gave me a perfect canvas to hone in on
the various different aspects of her life that I wanted to at will until the
picture was complete or at least complete enough until the next installment in
the series.
? What books have most influenced your life?
That’s
a hard one, but I would have to say The Scarlet Letter. It was one of the first
stories I recall, where instead of just going along with the tale, I began to
truly focus on the main character and explore what Hester Prynne must really be
thinking and what I would do if in her situation. This book influenced my love
of psychology and sociology, which I try to be mindful of when writing
characters.
? What is the first book you remember reading by yourself?
Green
Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss. The first I truly read, Memnoch the Devil, by Anne
Rice
? What are you reading right now?
Lover
Unbound, by J.R. Ward
? What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Read
and watch my favorite shows like True Blood, Game of Thrones, or The Walking
Dead
? What is your favorite comfort food?
German
Chocolate Cake
? What do you think makes a good story?
Characters
that the reader cares about. Plots can be silly at times, but if you truly love
the characters in the tale, you’ll want to follow their lives no matter what.
? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?
Stephen
King. He can write or narrate a tampon commercial and it would be the most
interesting ad ever aired with characters you would never forget, and still
somehow connect to the Dark
Tower
? What book, if any, do you read over and over again?
I
rarely revisit books or film, but the Harry Potter books, The Lord of the
Rings, and the first five books in the Vampire Chronicles are notable
execptions.
Fun
random questions:
- dogs or cats? Cats, but I love dogs too.
- Coffee or tea? Coffee, but I’m a fan of herbal tea.
- Dark or milk chocolate? All chocolate, but if forced, milk chocolate.
- Rocks or flowers? Flowers.
- Night or day? Night.
- Favorite color? Black, but every artist knows that black is not a color so for the purpose of being true to first love, I’ll say blue instead.
- Crayons or markers? Crayons.
- Pens or pencils? Pencils.
And for those who still want a little bit more about the author:
Pandora Richardson grew up in Northern New Jersey with a pen and a pad stuck in her hand. Throughout her childhood she was either writing the next great American Novel or painting the next Mona Lisa. She always imagined that she would be famous as a writer, an artist, or both. However, life eventually got in the way of her dreams and Pandora found herself working as a consultant in Washington, DC where she now resides with her canine familiar, Loki. The past several years have found Pandora once again committed to writing, this time with her fingers glued to a keyboard. When she’s not creating the next bestseller or engaged in the thrilling misadventures of the Rat Race, Pandora loves to curl up on her sofa reading the next Vampire, Shape-shifter, Wizard, Zombie or Romance novel from one of her favorite authors.
By Pandora Richardson
Amelia Jones Private Detective Series, Book 1
Genre: Mystery, Paranormal
ASIN: B00802VL80
Number of pages: 172
Word Count: 61,000
Purchase Links: http://amzn.to/AmeliaJones
Book Description:
Amelia Jones finds her world turned upside down after meeting a wealthy client who needs evidence of her husband’s infidelity. Even though Amelia's offered a lot of money to go undercover in order to catch him, the situation is more than she can handle and unlike anything the young, virginal detective has ever experienced. Deep down Amelia knows that she should not accept the case, but the allure of money is too hard to resist. Distracted by a series of mysterious events and delicious eye candy, Amelia is lost with choices that threaten to reveal secrets that should remain hidden.
Lost will be available for free on Amazon July 27-29
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