It’s the first Wednesday of the month and if you’re a regular reader you know that means it’s time for my monthly chat with a Author Crush of mine. This month I’m talking to AMY HARMON. I’m so excited to share this chat but let me give a little more backstory to my currently extreme excitement levels.
I fell in love with Amy’s books well before I ever decided to take the publishing leap for myself.
My first AH book was MAKING FACES and it pretty much solidified me as a forever-super-fan. My second favorite read is Infinity + One, but I have to say her upcoming release might be a contender for a top spot. I enjoyed getting a peek into her process and getting to know the person behind the pen. I’m certain you will feel the same.
With that said… LET’S CHAT!!
Thanks for taking the time to chat today, Amy!
SB: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
AH: I have been a writer all my life. I can’t ever remember a time when that wasn’t forefront in my mind.
SB: How do you handle writer’s block?
AH: I sit down and just free write. I let my mind rove and don’t corral my thoughts.
SB: What comes first, the plot or characters?
AH: It depends, but I always spend far more time on characters because characters inform the plot far more than plot informs the characters.
SB: Where is your favorite place to write?
AH: I like to write on my back porch when weather allows.
SB: Do you prefer writing in silence or to music?
AH: Silence – or white noise.
SB: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
AH: I’ve written seventeen novels. My favorite is always the one I’ve just finished.
SB: Who is your favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them special.
AH: My favorite character is probably Moses Wright from The Law of Moses. He has his own story and has made appearances in two other novels as a side character. His spiritual abilities juxtaposed with his tough exterior make him especially interesting.
SB: You’ve written in various romance genres. Do you have a preference?
AH: I love writing historical most, but fantasy is a close second.
SB: If you were to genre-hop, which genre would you most like to try?
AH: I am known for genre hopping already—I write historical, fantasy, and contemporary.
SB: Which of your books was most enjoyable to write?
AH: Probably my very first one. I had no pressure or expectations. I simply wrote for myself.
SB: Can you share something about your current book that isn’t in the blurb?
AH: The Songbook of Benny Lament releases March 16, 2021, and the love story revolves around an interracial couple – A mafioso’s son and a Black nightclub singer.
THREE FUN FACTS ABOUT AMY
SB: What do you like to do when you are not writing?
AH: I like being with my family. I love podcasts and long walks, and I love a good nap.
SB: What was your dream job when you were younger?
AH: I am living my dream job.
SB: What’s your favorite food?
AH: I love good curry.
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT AMY & HER BOOKS, CHECK OUT HER SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoramyharmon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.harmon2
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aharmon_author
Website: http://www.authoramyharmon.com
Newsletter : http://eepurl.com/P5AJP
Get updates for Amy’s releases on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2kOfvui
Bookbub : bookbub.com/authors/amy-harmon
New York, 1960: For Benny Lament, music is his entire life. With his father’s deep ties to the mob, the Bronx piano man has learned that love and family can get you in trouble. So he keeps to himself, writing songs for other musicians, avoiding the spotlight…until the night his father brings him to see Esther Mine sing.
Esther is a petite powerhouse with a gorgeous voice. And when Benny writes a hit song and performs it with her, their collaboration thrusts the duo onto the national stage…and stirs up old issues and new scrutiny that the mob—and Benny—would rather avoid.
It would be easier to walk away. But the music and the woman are too hard for the piano man to resist. Benny’s songs and Esther’s vocals are an explosive combination, a sound that fans can’t get enough of. But though America might love the music they make together, some people aren’t ready for Benny Lament and Esther Mine on—or off—the stage.
The Songbook of Benny Lament (releasing March 16) — PreOrder Now! https://amzn.to/3ndEiaE
To add on Goodreads: https://www.
The Scoop on
THE SONGBOOK OF BENNY LAMENT
SB: What is the future of the characters? Will there be a sequel?
AH: No sequel.
SB: If you had to describe the main character in THREE words, what would those three words be?
AH: Benny Lament is a BIG, BRAVE, PIANOMAN
SB: If your book was going to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it?
AH: I think Keke Palmer would be a great Esther Mine. I think Henry Cavil could pull off Benny – he has the size and the acting skill, but he’d need help with a 1960s Bronx accent and pulling off the New York swagger.
SB: Do you write while listening to music? If so, what music inspired or accompanied this current book?
AH: I don’t listen as I write because lyrics interfere with the words in my head. This book is full of music, however, as the 1960s music scene is the setting for the book and Benny Lament is a songwriter.
AUTHOR CRUSHING
SB: Favorite book when you were a kid?
AH: Anne of Green Gables
SB: Favorite book you’ve read as an adult?
AH: The Bronze Horseman
SB: What famous author do you wish would be your mentor?
AH: Paulina Simons
BEFORE I LET YOU GO, HOW ABOUT A RAPID FIRE ROUND?
SB: Would you rather be in a room full of snakes or a room full of spiders?
AH: SNAKES.
SB: Would you rather have an endless summer or an endless winter?
AH: UGH! I suppose summer would be easier, but I would miss winter.
SB: Would you rather always be an hour early or be constantly twenty minutes late?
AH: An hour early. It embarrasses me to be late.
Movie or Book?
AH: Book
Coke or Pepsi?
AH: Pepsi
City or Country?
AH: Country
Care to share a character inspiration?
AH: Ester Mine from THE SONGBOOK OF BENNY LAMENT
I love learning more about Amy Harmon!