Amanda: Give us a quick introduction to you. Published books, what you write, etc.
Alyson: Hi everybody, I’m Alyson Hale and I write contemporary, erotic & rock star romance. So far I have published a short story anthology, the first three books of the Rock Her Series and Ready for Him, a standalone single dad/nanny romance.
Amanda: Favorite book you’ve published so far?
Alyson: Eddie and Elyza from Rock Her Long have really resonated, not only with me but also with readers. It was the first book where I said “screw it, I’m writing what I want to write” and it ended up being better than my other ones, so that’s my new author motto.
Amanda: Most fun character to write? Favorite character to write? (Because they can definitely be different. ;) ) Hardest to write?
Alyson: Writing Damien and Alex was fun because they’re so naughty and adventurous. I was able to bend the rules of the genre a little bit with them, which I liked. My favorite character will always be Madison Landers (Daley), the heroine of my current WIP (details coming soon!). Madison is also the hardest to write because her story is so complex.
Amanda: Did you like to read as a child? Favorite book? Do you still have that book or reread it now?
Alyson: I’ve been obsessed with books ever since I started reading at age four. My favorite book was Little Women. I read it so many times my copy fell apart, but I do have another version of it. Sadly, it’s not quite the same. I would love to reread it when I have time to sit down and do so.
Amanda: Little Women is also one of my favorites.
Amanda: Have you always been a writer/storyteller? How did you start?
Alyson: I started writing when I was 14. My English teacher noticed I had a knack for storytelling and encouraged me to write a memoir. I couldn’t get through the memoir due to some events in my childhood being too fresh, but I do intend to write that someday. Before that, most of my storytelling was done in my private diary.
Amanda: Writing my memoir is on my list, too, but it's quite daunting.
Amanda: Do you write to music? If so, what kind? I love to hear about new music!
Alyson: I write to rock music (old and new, usually a specific playlist I’ve made for that book), 2000’s pop (especially P!nk and Kelly Clarkson), and Lindsey Stirling if I’m feeling whimsical.
Amanda: I love P!nk, Kelly Clarkson AND Lindsey Stirling!!
Amanda: I know for me, there have been some funny stories since I’ve been deep in the trenches of writing. Like a realization about a work in progress or characters (the funniest has to do with the song Mirrors by JT.) Do you have any funny stories that you’d like to share?
Alyson: Honestly, when I get done with a book it all feels like a fog. I couldn’t tell you even if there were. The act of writing a book is so exhausting!
But my husband does have a lovely quirk of looking right over my shoulder when I’m trying to write a sex scene. He always manages to pop up right at the wrong moment. So...that’s fun.
Amanda: Do you have a typical process or any writing rituals? Anything you have to have with you while writing? (Besides computer, paper, typewriter, whichever…)
Alyson: I usually have a billion Google Docs open with an outline, character sketches, the previous draft...I am a textbook plotter and it shows in the disorganized chaos that is my Google Drive.
Amanda: Who is a character that has influenced you (not from your books)?
Alyson: Jo March from Little Women. She is the first character that made me believe I could be a writer.
Amanda: I love Jo March.
Amanda: Which of your characters would you least want to go on a road trip with? Why? Most want to?
Alyson: Celeste Norman from my current WIP. She is a nightmare. I would totally rock the open road with Madison.
Amanda: Top three favorite books and authors right now.
Alyson: Most recently, I really enjoyed Hard Lesson by Savannah Skye, Pretty Reckless by Jane Anthony, and The Roommate Agreement by Emma Hart.
Amanda: Favorite writing craft book?
Alyson: Story Genius by Lisa Cron
This or that:
Strawberry vs. Chocolate - Chocolate
Poetry vs. Fiction - Fiction
First draft vs. Editing - First draft
T. V. Show vs. Movie - TV Show
Book vs. Movie - Book
Hero vs. Villain - Depends! But usually hero
Villiain vs. Anti-Hero - Anti-hero all the way
Witch vs. Vampire - Witch
E-book vs. Physical Book - Physical book
Tea vs. Coffee - Coffee
Amanda: Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on now?
Alyson: My current WIP is a rewrite of my first published work as a YA author under a different pseudonym. This time it’s 18+ and the storyline has more depth and romance and less of what I like to call “fluff drama.”
Amanda: Any last comments to share? :)
Alyson: You are the best, Amanda!! Thanks so much for having me.
Amanda: So glad to have you!! Thank you so much for being on the blog!! :)
Testing out commenting.