30 days of Highlanders: Day 29: Interview with Author Amanda Scott + Giveaway

-Did you get to travel to Scotland or Ireland for any research?
Frequently to Scotland, but not much recently. I love seeing the actual places, especially in the Highlands, where so little has changed. My favorite place is the village of Glenelg above Glen Sheil. A wonderful place. The Scots are wonderful about helping a writer with her research, too. And so are the English. I met a lady at Fyvie Castle, who clearly knew a great deal about the furnishings there. I overheard her wondering to her husband why “they” had not noted below it that it was not original. When he asked her how she could be sure, she replied, “Because we HAVE the original.” I was hooked. I was with my husband, who has much more interest in World War II things in such places than I do, so when I saw the other couple leaving, I followed them to the “car park” and introduced myself. I asked her straight out what she had meant about the picture, and she laughed and said she was a docent at Goodwood House in England. Never one to miss opportunity when I hear it knocking, I asked if I might add her to my list of possible sources. She agreed, and I did write soon afterward asking her about Armada chests. She sent me pictures of one a friend owned, including all sorts of information about the key…all of which is included in Highland Treasure, where an Armada chest key figured prominently.

-Which of your Highlanders was hardest to write?

 I don’t find writing difficult at all. By the time I’ve done the research and outlined the book, the writing is just the final process. Sometimes it takes some doing to get it exactly as I want it, but I try to know exactly what I’m doing before I begin.

-Do you have any secret obsessions while writing you can‘t live without?
 Life keeps intruding, so one must be protective of one’s space and time, so my obsession if finding time alone. In the summer, it’s easy, because we have a place in the mountains where there is no road, no telephone (or internet service), just peace and quiet (other than screeching jays and squirrels). I love it there.

-Can you share with us any highlanders your currently working on?

 I’m currently doing some minor revision on the third book in my Scottish Knights trilogy. The first one, Highland Master, came out in February. The second, Highland Hero, will come out in October, and the third one, Highland Lover, in March 2011 (I think). I’m also plotting the next trilogy and hope to have the outline ready in a week or two. The Scottish Knights trilogy stars heroes who studied together at St. Andrews shortly before the university was established there…at the same time that young Jamie Stewart (later James I of Scotland) moved there to avoid falling into his wicked uncle’s clutches. Heroes of the next trilogy will be lairds of clans around Loch Lomond, who band together to help end lawlessness there when James I returns to Scotland after 18 years of English captivity.

-What got you started in writing about Highlanders?
 My own heritage is Scottish on both sides, albeit 8 generations back (also on both sides). My own clans are mostly Border clans: Scotts, Douglases, and Logans mostly. But my father’s side also includes Allisons and Jamisons, the latter being from the Isles of Orkney.

-Can you describe to us your dream highlander?

 Since I’ve written nearly 60 books, I always hope the current hero is the dream one and I tend to forget the older ones (hard-drive overload). I also try to make all my characters different and as real as possible, so readers will feel as if they know them personally and are sad when the book ends.

-Who is your darkest Highlander / Who is your mildest Highlander?
 I haven’t a clue how to answer this one. I never think of them as dark or mild. I’ve created heroes out of villains from previous books, so there are certainly dark qualities, but my characters always have flaws and virtues, and their flaws frequently get in their way or threaten to undo them. I don’t think I’ve ever done a ‘mildest’ hero, but I have certainly done those who are more sensitive than others of their ilk. Even those have tempers, however.

-Can you tell us about your Highlanders twitter style? (140 characters or less)

 I hope each of my books will appeal to readers, make them feel as if they’re ‘right there,’ entertain them, make them laugh or cry, and keep turning pages.

-How do your highlanders differ from others?
Sorry, no clue. I don’t read the competition unless an editor asks me to endorse one. Fans do say, however, that they like the fact that I care so much about the research and that my characters always seem like real people in real relationships. I do a lot of book signings, and people are always complaining that I’ve kept them up all night. One Scottish gentleman at a Scottish festival, stomped up to me in full formal kilt, and said I’d “ruined his life.” When I asked how, he replied, “Ye’ve addicted me tae Romance novels!” He is only one of many men who read my books, and I think that says something about them, too.

-Are your highlanders paranormal or just historical, and why did you choose that path?

 My books are historical adventures. I write what I like to read, and I prefer to write what seems real to me.

-What would the colors of your Tartan be?
 The Scott tartans are many. Our formal one is red with green and brown, but we also have a hunting green, a hunting brown, an ancient hunting (softer, plant-like colors), and a black and white. The Douglas tartan is blue and green, but I generally wear the Scott.


Extras:Where can readers find you? twitter,facebook,etc
 My website is http://www.amandascottauthor.com/ It has links to my email, my page at the publisher’s website, all formats of my books, my booklist, etc. I do not have a newsletter (writing 2 historicals a year takes up most of my time, and I do have a personal life.


Do you have a link to your book list?
http://www.amandascottauthor.com/books.htm

*~* Giveaways *~*

I will gladly offer an autographed copy of Highland Master.


 *~* USA only *~*








To Enter you MUST:
~Comment here and Say Hi to Amanda.
Have you read her? If so tell us what you think!
If not, which book do you want to read the most?
http://www.amandascottauthor.com/books.htm

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Don't forget to join in the fun with the

Highlander Cover Design Contest!

( remember, as long as you have atleast the paint program, you can do it! )
http://jojosbookcorner.blogspot.com/2011/04/30-days-of-highlanders-day-1-cover.html

Don't forget to enter all the other Highlander giveaways!

They end this week!