Today I was able to do an interview with the awesome Anna Applegate, author of Protected. I just want to thank Anna for taking the time to answer the following questions and also including her giveaway and a sneak peek to her brand new cover for Protected!
1. First off tell us about yourself
My name is Anna Applegate. I am twenty-six years old and spend the time that I’m not writing, working as a conference and meeting planner in Maryland and Washington, DC. I love anything that has to do with using my imagination. I like to think I’m an optimistic person and so anything that involves dreaming, believing, doing, are high on my priority list. I have an unhealthy obsession, as I’m sure most authors do, with reading. I devour books like I need them to breathe. I think those are the highlights
2. What titles have you written?
My debut novel is Protected (Book 1 in the Ariya Adams Trilogy). It is currently available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and I will be hopefully getting it available in Paperback through Amazon soon as well.
3. What is your newest project working on?
Right now, I’m working on Book 2 in the Ariya Adams Trilogy. I haven’t announced the title for that yet, but I’ll be revealing it soon.
4. Can you give us a sneak peek of it?
**TEASER (has not gone through final edits)
I walked towards the edge of the balcony, but didn't move to jump to him. It really wasn't that high up, but it still felt strange jumping off the building. I knew James and his super strength would be fine catching me though.
"Ariya, I'm sorry. I couldn't carry you out because I didn't know where the fire was coming from. I went to take a look. Come on, you have to hurry now."
His voice sounded strange but this was James and I trusted him. If he left it had been for a specific reason. I went to climb over the rail and felt a jerk behind me. I panicked and tried to pull away. It felt like flames surrounding me. I got scared thinking the fire may have spread more quickly than I had thought.
Without another thought, I threw myself over the edge.
I landed with a thud into the arms of Nick.
Nick? I looked up confused.
"Ariya, what is going on with you?" he said setting me down.
"But James ... you ... James told me to jump." I looked back up at the building and saw no flames and no smoke. "The building isn't on fire?" I asked surprised. I would have sworn that James was the one below telling me to jump, not Nick.
"Sleep walking." Nick said to James as James ran around the corner.
"Why did you pull away from me?" He asked me taking my face in his hands and looking at me, searching for any sign of injury.
"James, I'm so confused." I didn't understand. Why was I sleep walking now? What if they hadn't been there?
"Was Nick down here the whole time?" I asked.
Nick shook his head in a silent no.
"I would have fallen?" I followed up in response.
"Of course not. You wouldn't have been hurt. We were watching you to see what you would do. When I thought you would jump, I tried to grab you but you surprised me to going over the edge. Nick had jumped down a moment before just in case. I didn't think you'd do it though." James looked so concerned.
Rightly so, I'd just thrown myself off the balcony of our building.
"We won't let you get out of bed from now on how's that?" He said trying to sound light hearted but he didn’t succeed.
I nodded suddenly getting chilled by the fact that this was yet another unwelcome side effect I'd picked up lately. My body was not making this process easy on me.
***
5. What made you become a writer?
I mentioned that I devoured books. It’s true, I can read a book a day if I had the time. I love paranormal romances. What I found though was that so many of them had the same basic ingredients or formula. Not to say they weren’t fantastic reads. But I found myself wanting more. I was complaining to a friend about an ending to a book that I didn’t like and she told me if I thought I could do better then I should try. It was said as a joke but I thought about it and decided, what the heck. I honestly thought I would get about ten pages in and realize I had no business trying to write. However, after typing for a few days, I realized I actually had a hundred pages and I had characters who were spilling their guts all over my pages. It was fascinating, fun, it relieved stress, and I soon began to realize, oh this is what passion feels like. Now, I can’t imagine not writing.
6. When it comes to writing are you an author that plans everything out or just writes everything down and organizes it later or in between?
I probably sound crazy but I daydream a lot. Most of my scenes come to me in the car, during lunch breaks, etc. I tend to daydream in order, so where I’m writing in the book is where I’ll be thinking about. But it doesn’t always work like that. I don’t use an outline, I mostly just write when I feel like my characters have something to say.
7. What was your first book?
Protected is my first book. I am looking forward to learning more about how I write and improving so I can keep writing and hopefully bring entertaining and fun stories to people.
8. How did the story become what it is today?
It started out as just a silly idea and gradually it just evolved into something more. I love historical romances and so I thought about wanting some sort of historical piece to the book. The line of Protectors gave me that outlet to get a bit of “modified” history in there. Bits and pieces have just sort of fallen into place in my mind and slowly it became what it is today. I started writing it in September 2012 and had it published June 2013.
9. Do you think you will always write in one genre or different ones?
I love paranormal romance and I would love to keep coming up with unique ideas in that genre. I have been reading a ton of contemporary romances thought lately and have been blown away by some of the work. I would love to be able to captivate an audience in that genre. I mentioned liking historical romances too. I would love to do research and try to put my mind to that. I feel like paranormal might be my niche but I’m not opposed to trying other things.
10. What books or authors inspired you to write?
HP Mallory was a huge inspiration. I hadn’t known much about self-publishing but after reading her books and wanting to learn more about her as an author, I saw that was the route she took. I got her book about self-publishing and started reading it and realizing that if I wanted my story out there, I had a lot of work to do. I joined the HP Writing Group on Facebook and met my two writing partners there. It was through that book guide and then the relationships formed with them that I got the confidence to continue to pursue publishing my work.
11. Tell us about one character from any of your books and how he/she came to be.
My favorite character is Caroline Lufsky. Caroline is Ariya’s (the main character) best friend. I have been so blessed with some of the friendships I’ve had in my life. My very best friend, Bri, has been my friend for over twenty years. We met in kindergarten. She is by far one of the most giving and selfless people I know. Caroline, my character, is also selfless. She loves Ariya like she is her own family. That trait and that part of her personality I pulled from my relationship with Bri. I am lucky enough to know what having such a wonderful best friend is like. Another piece of the puzzle into how Caroline developed comes from my college roommate. Her name is also Caroline J We had such a great time together and she was so sarcastic and quirky and I absolutely love her to death. Some of the interactions between Ariya and Caroline could have very well happened between me and my own Caroline. Those two people helped inspire the Caroline in the trilogy and I’m so grateful for them.
Now on to the fun stuff!!
1. Tell us 5 favorite movies
One thing to know about me is I am TERRIBLE at saying anything is my favorite. Everything qualifies as my favorite thing, haha. It’s a curse. However, if I had to choose (currenty) these would be my favorites.
· 1. Pride and Prejudice (the Kiera Knightly version, I LOVE Matthew McFayden as Mr. Darcy)
· 2. Love Actually
· 3. Tangled (I know it’s like I’m a kid – the lantern scenes get me)
· 4. Breakfast at Tiffany’s
· 5. The Avengers (I have some serious crushes on Thor, Captain American, and even Loki J )
2. Tell us your favorite line from any movie but do not tell us the movie. We will see if anyone can guess it in the comments below!
“No, I don’t think I will kiss you, although you need kissing, badly. That’s what’s wrong with you. You should be kissed an often, and by someone who knows how.”
3. If you were attending a Halloween party what would your costume be and why?
I need to start thinking about this for this year! I spend so much time agonizing over what the best costume would be. I kind of want to go as Mary Poppins this year. I saw a preview for the Saving Mr. Banks movie and it reminded me of her. If I change my mind, I’ll update you haha.
4. What would you do if you were the last person on the Earth?
Oh gosh, I would be so lonely. I would probably try to find the largest library in the world and live there. I want to do that now, who am I kidding?!
5. Tea or Coffee?
Coffee, I’m an addict. I can’t function without it in the mornings
6. If you could be any fantasy creature which one would you pick and why? (For example Vampire, Werewolf, Elf, Fairy and etc)
Vampire. I like the idea of being strong and quick and I’m already a nightowl so I don’t think my routine would be too hindered by being stronger at night
Anything else you would like to include?
Thank you SO much for having me! These were such fun questions to answer. I’m so thankful to be in this world of authors, bloggers, and readers. It is the greatest adventure I’ve gone on and I hope it doesn’t end anytime soon! Thanks again
Where to find Anna Applegate:
Facebook
Goodreads
Amazon
Where to buy her book:
Protected on Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Sneak peek of the new cover for Protected! The full cover will be revealed here on August 19!!
Last but not least Anna's Giveaway that will start soon!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
