Interview with Brandy Potter

Interview with Brandy Potter


What genre do you write and why?
I write various Genres. Venomous Lives is Romance/Drama, but I have a Fantasy Novel; a Paranormal/Mystery/Romance series; and a Noir Mystery Romance. I write stories that interest me. I write what I want to read. I WROTE Venomous Lives, but every read there are parts that make me cry, laugh, get angry. That’s what a good book is to me. A story that I can read over and over and still emote to.

Interview with Brandy Potter
Tell us about your latest book.
Venomous Lives was just re-released. It focuses on a female Glam rock band and their struggles.

What did you edit out of this book?
A third marriage for the main character. Several relationships. A few characters. A few abuse and intimate scenes.

How was this book published? (traditional, small press, self pub, etcc...)  Why did you choose that particular publishing route?
I originally went with Print on Demand, basically because I didn’t know better. Now I am with Amazon. I feel that this is the publishing route of the future. TO be honest, most don’t know, but publishing companies as we know them are relatively new. When the printing press was invented, people self published so we are back full circle.

How do you select the names of your characters?
Mostly on Nationality. I actually have a baby names book I consult frequently. But I go through say Irish girls names and find one I feel fits the character’s personality.

What marketing methods are you using to promote your book? 
At the moment, I am being very bad with the promoting. I was out of work for a snap and I had to job search. However I try to follow Ms. Linsdell’s Twitter posting suggestions and my own advise about book reviews and such.

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad or good ones?
I do read reviews. One would be silly not to. It can help with your craft. None of us knows everything there is to know. Also, not everyone is going to LIKE what you write. Perhaps they don’t like romance or paranormal, you can’t take that personally. I also am quite thick skinned.

Do you Google yourself?
Doesn’t everyone?

What formats is the book available in?
E-book and paperback

Who are your favourite authors?
Sooooooooo many. Jane Austen, J.R.R. Tolkein, Rudyard Kipling, Nora Roberts, Heather Graham; David Eddings

Interview with Brandy Potter
What advice do you have for other writers?
I feel that I might sound a bit presumptuous giving advice but I think the two best things I have heard is just write every day and write something you want to read.

What's your favourite quote about writing/for writers?
Writing is the only thing that, when i do it, I don’t feel I should be doing anything else. ~ Gloria Steinham

What's the best thing about being a writer?
I can honor those I love and take out frustrations on people just by making them, or some part of them a character.

Where can people find out more about you and your writing?

Who is you favourite character in your book and why?
Wow. Hmmmm That’s like picking which child is your favorite isn’t it. I have to say Alene. She’s funny, but she is also the grounding force for the band. 

Why do you think readers are going to enjoy your book?
It’s a great story with strong female characters. It touches on many issues, addiction, abuse, strength in adversity. There is humor and tragedy and a great insight into rock and roll.

How long did it take you to write your book?
A year

Who designed the cover?
I did

Did you learn anything from writing your book that was unexpected?
Laughs – that I could finish one

Where can a reader purchase your book?

What are you doing to market the book? 
Right now, I am getting ready to drop the price for Christmas, doing Twitter posts and interviews.

Who inspires you?
My daughter, everyday

When and where do you write?
Where I can, as often as I can. Most often at my dining room table when the whole house is sleep.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Pantser, and a chrono (write in chronological order)

Do you believe in writers block?
I do. I usually take out my favorite scene to over come it. Laugh if you want, it works

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Go to that writing college you wanted to go to and start now!

How do you research your books?
Depends on the book. Google, documentaries, people studies

What is your work in progress? Tell us about it.
I am working on a paranormal detective series. In the series there are ghost hunters and a sceptic detective that investigate murders with a paranormal ring. The first case is a murdered Valet and an old Rock icon over dose… or was it…..

What are your thoughts on self-publishing verses traditional publishing?
True traditional publishing WAS self publishing. Traditional publishing as we know it came in in the late 1800’s. I think you should choose which way is best for you

Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
My 10th grade English teacher. Ms Nixon

Does your family support you in your writing career? How?
Yes. They are understanding and they all buy the book J

What are you currently reading?
I am not reading. It’s Christmas, I am crocheting

What are some of your all time favourite books?
The Middle Earth Series; Pride and Prejudice; The Belgariad

What is your favourite book you've read this year so far?
I’ve been bad. I haven’t read anything new. My sister passed in May so I have been surrounding myself with old Friends.

What books or authors have most influenced your life?
Anything David Eddings wrote

When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?
Reading.


2 Comments

I love to hear from you. So feel free to comment, but keep in mind the basics of blog etiquette — no spam, no profanity, no slander, etc.

Thanks for being an active part of the Writers and Authors community.