Thursday TAG! - Karen Amanda Hooper

EEEEP! I'm so excited about this TAG! And for more than one reason. One, she's SO AWESOME! I've only met her recently when I asked to feature her and she's so nice, sweet, and genuine. I'm very honored and excited to have her on my blog. Two, I just finished her book on Tuesday and it's SO AWESOME! It's one of THE BEST books I've read this year, and last year. Three, this TAG! is coming at you the day before my first giveaway and it's...yep you guessed, SO AWESOME! Check back tomorrow for the full announcement of what I'm giving away :D

On to the TAG!

Author Karen Amanda Hooper, as I said above, is a sweet and genuine person. She's a member of The Indelible Writers. You can also find her on Twitter, Facebook, and her blog. Her book, Tangled Tides, is awesome and I'll be reviewing it on the blog, so check for that. Also, I mention it in the TAG, but Karen did a letter to her teen self and it's so touching, find it here.


1. When did you start writing?
I wrote A LOT in middle and high school, but then I took a hiatus until my late twenties. I wish I had never stopped.

2. What made you want to write?
My mind never shuts up. I have to write down (or type out) some of my ideas, musings and stories or I'd go crazy.

3. When did you decide you wanted to write to be published? (As opposed to writing just to write)
When I figured out that I didn't need a Masters degree in English to get a novel published. Most of my life I believed book deals were only offered to people with lots of education and credentials.

4. What genre(s) do you write?
Young adult fantasy and paranormal, but so far most of my stories are crossover for adults.

5. Why that(those) genre(s)?
I write what I love to read, and I've always loved magic, fairy tales, and supernatural--with some romance mixed in, of course.

6. Do you have any particular ritual when you write? (A specific way things are done during the process)
Not really. I write best in the mornings. And having my dogs napping nearby always helps.

7. Do you use an outline, or do you just start writing?
I just write. Most of the time I write random scenes and figure out how they'll tie in later. Luckily, they always fit together somehow.

8. Is there something you MUST have when you're writing? (Aside from the typical writer tools-computer, pen, paper, etc)
A yummy cup of coffee.

9. Do you write out your story on paper and then transfer to a computer, or straight to the computer?
I make notes in notebooks and will jot down lines or ideas for scenes that come to me, but mostly I create on my computer.

10. How many books/short stories have you written? (Published or not, even those you wrote and then thought-what the hell?)
Three books, started three others, and maybe 6-7 short stories. However, I have countless journals, poems, letters-never-sent, etc.

11. Is there, or has there been, anyone in your life (real or online) who thought you being a writer is/was just another hobby? Or that you are/were wasting your time as a writer?
Of course. Many people have thought that, and I think a few still do. Coincidentally, I don't talk to those people very much. ;)

12. Do you do Social Media sites? If so, which ones? If not, why don't you?
Yes, I'm on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads. I dabble on Pintrest but there aren't enough hours in the day to keep up with all of the social media sites out there.

13. Any advice for writers that makes you cringe every time you hear it? (I know there is some cringe-worthy advice still worth following, so only advice you don't follow.)
The whole "you're not ready" thing. (Ready to query, publish, etc.) You might be ready. People irk me when they publicly give that advice to everyone. Some of the people listening to that advice could very well be ready.

14. If you could be a mermaid, would you be one?
Heck yes. Especially if it was a mermaid from the world I created in Tangled Tides because I'd have some very cool abilities.

15. Is there a specific magical power you would love to have?
I'd love to be able to read minds, but only when I wanted to. And teleport. And control weather. Can you tell I like magical powers?

16. I read your letter to teen you...it was touching and it made me cry a little. Was it hard for you to write it?
It was very hard to write, and my original letter was A LOT longer, but it was a little cathartic. I started writing a book that's inspired by that experience (The Second Chance Society) but I'm sure it will take my years and years to finish it because it's so close to my heart.

17. How did you become a member of The Indelibles?
S.R. Johannes sent me an invitation to be part of the original group of authors and I happily accepted.

18. Did you always want to go Indie, or was it something you went to after attempts at querying agents/big publishers?
I tried the traditional route and queried a couple manuscripts over a three year period, but nothing ever came of it. I had actually shelved Tangled Tides, but an author friend suggested I submit it to her publisher, Rhemalda, and a few weeks later I had a book deal.

19. What do you do when you aren't writing?
Hang with my dogs, family and friends. I go to Disney World like every other weekend (it's my happy place), and I love to read and travel.

20. Any words of wisdom for anyone who is thinking of becoming a writer, or just something you think all writers should know?
Don't expect to get rich at it, write what you love, and grow thick skin.