Author Amanda Brenner Shares Their Story
Amanda Brenner is a native Midwesterner who has traveled extensively throughout the United States and now lives quietly with her husband and an assortment of wildlife visitors to their urban home. Her interest in writing began at an early age when westerns were popular attractions at the local theater. It seemed only natural that her first novel, Trail of Vengeance, should be in that genre. After finishing a second western, Shadow of the Rope, she began to explore a new direction and completed three contemporary mysteries involving private investigator Sid Langdon, a self-doubting magnet for offbeat clients and hapless scenarios, the latest being The Mystery of the Nourdon Blue. Amanda enjoys learning from the books she reads, a characteristic reflected in the research she includes in her own works.
About the Author
Amanda Brenner is a native Midwesterner who has traveled extensively throughout the United States and now lives quietly with her husband and an assortment of wildlife visitors to their urban home. Her interest in writing began at an early age when westerns were popular attractions at the local theater. It seemed only natural that her first novel, Trail of Vengeance, should be in that genre. After finishing a second western, Shadow of the Rope, she began to explore a new direction and completed three contemporary mysteries involving private investigator Sid Langdon, a self-doubting magnet for offbeat clients and hapless scenarios, the latest being The Mystery of the Nourdon Blue. Amanda enjoys learning from the books she reads, a characteristic reflected in the research she includes in her own works.
What inspires you to write romance books?
I’m still trying to find my niche. I’ve written three mysteries featuring a detective I created, along with two western novels. While My Love Sleeps was my first attempt at the romance genre. It is still quite new and has just one review, so it remains to be seen if romance is my category.
Tell us about how you write:
I need some kind of inspiration, whether it be an item or a situation. Then I have to think about it for a while and let the idea simmer. If I decide it has promise, I start researching the item (as in The Mystery of the Nourdon Blue), or, in While My Love Sleeps, a medical condition. Eventually the idea begins to intrigue me and I start to write; once that happens, it just seems to take off. Right now I am writing another western. At first I had no idea what it would be about. Gradually I decided on a setting for the novel and started research. Now I have so many ideas it will be interesting to see how they will eventually tie together–but they will in the end.
Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Not exactly. But I do sit back and consider what they might do or say in a given situation depending on the kind of person they are.
What advice would you give other writers?
Since I have only one romantic novel under my belt, I don’t know what to say, except that for me I prefer deep emotional involvement to imagined descriptions of bedroom antics. Sorry, that’s my take.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
Since I am unknown and do not have a ready-made market to interest agents, I gave up on traditional publishing. Now I control the process from start to finish and enjoy that flexibility. If you feel you have a compelling topic that would interest enough people to make publication of your book a financial success for an agent and/or publisher, go for it. If that is not the case, do it yourself, but be aware that you will have to promote your work and yourself, because you will have no help.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I can’t believe books will ever disappear, although how we enjoy them may change. Many people, myself included, enjoy physical books and prefer that format. However, even I can see the benefit of a reader that would allow me to carry any number of books that I can enjoy because the screens are highly legible, as opposed to some paperbacks where the print is small and hard to see.
What genres do you write:: Mystery, Western, Romance
What formats are your books in: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Author Home Page Link
Link To Author Page On Amazon
Link To Author Page On Smashwords
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Your Social Media Links
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pillared-Roses-home-of-Amanda-Brenner-Author/490199177730945
