Hi guys! Today, I have Amy Brecount White, author of Forget-Her-Nots as part of the Spread the Flower Love blog tour! Here's a chance to get to know her!
Who is your favorite character from Forget-Her-Nots?
I love the main character, Laurel, of course. I don’t think you can’t write a whole novel without loving your MC. Rose, Laurel’s smart and snarky cousin, was very fun to write, and I hope she reappears in other novels.
What motivated you to write Forget-Her-Nots?
I’ve always wanted to write a novel, and I just reached a point in my life when I had to do it. I’d written short non-fiction pieces for newspapers and magazines, but I’d always dreamed of being a novelist.
The premise of Forget-Her-Nots seems really unique and interesting. What gave you the idea for it? It was a combination of factors, really. I’d seen a non-fiction book on the language of flowers and thought about writing an article on it. I also love gardening and flowers, and I find seeds to be one of the most hopeful things on the planet. When I went to hear the novelist Toni Morrison speak, she said, “Write the novel that only you can write.” I thought about that for a while, and then it all seemed to come together.
What do you see as your strengths and weaknesses as an author?
Hmm. One of my strengths, I think, is that I’ve had lots of life experiences. I’ve lost people I loved dearly, including my dad; I’ve been a teacher and a writer; I’ve traveled and had kids and loved a lot of people. Also, I truly love words, so I hope my writing is lyrical and lovely. Weaknesses: I can get a little too caught up in my character’s head, especially in early drafts. I really love writing descriptive passages, but lots of teens would rather skip those for the action.
What's the most interesting thing a reader has ever said to you?
Great question! An early reader said this: “It’s not that I can’t put your book down, because I can. But when I put it down, I keep thinking about it.” For a lot of people, FHN won’t be a page-turner, but I do hope it’s a novel that stays with them. Lots of people have told me they’ll never look at flowers in quite the same way.
How is do you feel about being a 10'er?
Fantastic! I ADORE the Tenners. Everyone has been incredibly supportive and fun to hang out with. I can’t wait to meet them all in person. This weekend, I’ll be with Tenners Irene Latham and Jenn Hubbard at the Virginia Festival of the book in Charlottesville.
Book you've faked reading:
Ulysses by James Joyce. I love The Dubliners and Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, but I could never quite get through all of Ulysses.
Book you've bought for the cover:
I can’t recall ever buying one just for the cover. I always have to read the inside flap first and usually the author bio, too.
Book you're an evangelist for:
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Such an amazing and important book.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Thanks so much for having me, Reggie! It’s been fun. =)
And for Amy's contest, here is the red Camilla! Doesn't it look pretty?!? Not only is it pretty, but it also means unpretending excellence! You guys have unpretending excellence!
Thanks to Amy for participating!
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