Hi everyone!! Today I have an interview with the lovely Amy Lignor, Author of
Until Next Time (The Angel Chronicles # 1).
1. Can you tell us a little about your novel, Until Next Time: The Angel Chronicles, Book 1?
The idea began a very long time ago, and for years I wanted to bring my angel/warrior team to light. Matt and Emily are different than all the rest because they are not part of the ‘tormented’ or the ‘fallen’ groups out there in YA fiction. They are pure innocents who, at their core, are basically teens looking at their first taste of freedom. Their training has been done with extra special care, their teachers and mentors have done their best to make sure they have all the knowledge they need, but the real hardship for them is how a completely innocent soul deals with life in the real world. Human emotions are the most difficult to understand, so when Matt and Emily run face-first into love, envy, jealousy, heartache, anger - their lives basically began to be a challenge for the first time. They have to find a way to keep their faith and love in each other while dealing with a world that’s ripping them apart.
2. What is your favorite part of the writing process?
The beginning. Various writers have their own ways of ‘starting off.’ Some get an idea and simply head straight to the keyboard and start writing, whereas others need to ‘flush’ out the plot on paper before hitting their first key. With me, I very much need to take the time to get to know my characters. I really want to understand them, and envision what they look like so I know how they would walk, talk, move, clench their fists when they were angry - all of those physical aspects. And I want to know the emotions inside them and how they deal with the world.
But when I sit down and begin to tell the tale that twists and turns the minute I touch the keyboard, that is my favorite part. It’s almost as if these characters that you’ve come to know and be friends with suddenly take over; it feels like they’re suddenly telling their tale the way they want to - it’s a thrill ride for me!
3. Where did you get the idea for this series?
When I was 13, my grandfather passed away and I began to think about angels. I remember wondering why on earth they would come down here in the first place? And I wanted to know what would happen to them. I mean, would they stay here, or just say: “Forget it! I’m not helping these people!” Emily and Matt stayed in my head and then, when I graduated high school, I began to write more and more - and it finally seemed like the right time to bring them out and let them tell their story.
4. I know Until Next Time: The Angel Chronicles, Book 1 is the first of many in this series, how many books are you thinking of writing for The Angel Chronicles?
There are going to be three that we know of right now. But if readers fall in love with Matt and Emily, Jason, Faith - and all the rest as much as I have - then I would consider extending their journey. Book II is completed and in the ‘polishing’ process right now, and it will delve a lot deeper into Matt. So next time around the hero will get a lot more page time. (LOL)
5. Do you plan on writing any other books in different genres?
I actually am the writer of a series of adventure/romance books for adults. Think Indiana Jones meets The DaVinci Code. Tallent & Lowery is the series name, and the first book - 13 - is currently scheduled for printing. Very different from the angels, this is a series of books where I’ve taken my love of libraries (especially the NYPL), history, hauntings, mysteries, legends - and I link them together to form a puzzle that no one ever thought of. It’s a great deal of fun for the reader and myself to figure out the endings and where the books go next. That is a series of seven novels, and I am currently on number six.
6. What was your favorite book growing up and why?
This is such a hard question. My mother is a career librarian so my sister and I pretty much spent our entire youth inside the library. I loved everything from Pride and Prejudice to YA’s like Judy Blume. As I’ve gotten older, I fell in love with Harry Potter (like billions of others), and I would have to say that particular series is going to go down as being unrivaled, and the one I think should be passed down to all future generations.
7. Are there any books you would recommend to fellow bloggers and readers out there?
If YA is your favorite, I’d say:
Lauren Kate’s - Fallen
Syrie & Ryan James’s - Forbidden
Dale E. Basye writes an INCREDIBLE series called Circles of Heck which is a must read for preteens, YA’s and adults who want to have fun.
And Michelle Horst, who is a debut author, wrote the first book in a stunning series, titled, Vaalbara: Visions & Shadows
For Horror: Koontz, King - the two masters of their craft.
For Romance: Pam Jenoff - Hands down. Read all of her titles! When I first came across The Kommandant’s Girl, I knew that this lady was going to be the ‘best of the best’ and she turned out not to disappoint.
See? I read so much that I could go on forever, but those are my favorites.
Thanks so much Amy for answering my questions!! Don't forget to add
Until Next Time to your goodreads accounts!!
Posts
