This holiday
season, I’ve decided to promote some of my writer friends and ask some of the
questions that folks ask me. Today’s guest/victim is:
A.G. Porter
First, a little something about A.G.
A.G.
Porter is the author of The Darkness Trilogy, a YA Paranormal Thriller. She is
an Independent Author who enjoys writing scary stories as much as she loves
reading them. A.G. enjoys writing stories about real people in supernatural
situations. She also puts a lot of her faith into her books because she knows
that without Christ she is lost and without God she is nothing. Currently, A.G.
is working on the last book in the trilogy. When she isn’t writing, she’s
either taking pictures, reading, making nerdy jewelry, watching movies, or
spending much needed time with her family. A.G. lives in New Hope, Alabama with
her husband, Billy, stepson, Brenton, and their 4 dogs.
At
what age did you start writing or know that you wanted to write?
Oh gosh, I feel like I’ve always written at some point or another. I remember my mom typing away at the typewriter when I was around 6. I wanted to be just like her so I convinced her to buy me a diary soon after that. It just blossomed from there really. It wasn’t until the 9th grade that I really started writing on a daily basis, mostly poetry, but I started writing a book in one of my 5 subject notebooks that was meant for school work.
Oh gosh, I feel like I’ve always written at some point or another. I remember my mom typing away at the typewriter when I was around 6. I wanted to be just like her so I convinced her to buy me a diary soon after that. It just blossomed from there really. It wasn’t until the 9th grade that I really started writing on a daily basis, mostly poetry, but I started writing a book in one of my 5 subject notebooks that was meant for school work.
Where
do your ideas come from?
From a lot of places. Some of them have come from personal experiences and some have come from dreams. I find inspirations in a lot of things and people I meet or know.
From a lot of places. Some of them have come from personal experiences and some have come from dreams. I find inspirations in a lot of things and people I meet or know.
Do
you base your characters on people you know or know of? Family or celebrities?
I don’t necessarily base characters on people I know, but some of characters are influenced by them.
I don’t necessarily base characters on people I know, but some of characters are influenced by them.
Do
you plot out your stories or just make it up as you go?
I am a horrible plotter. I procrastinate as well so if I took them time to plot I’d never get a book finished! The only time I even attempted to plot was when I started on a fantasy story, which still isn’t completed. Things change as I write anyway so plotting, for me, was a waste of time.
I am a horrible plotter. I procrastinate as well so if I took them time to plot I’d never get a book finished! The only time I even attempted to plot was when I started on a fantasy story, which still isn’t completed. Things change as I write anyway so plotting, for me, was a waste of time.
Do
you listen to music while you write and if so, what do you listen too?
Oh yes! I love listening to music while I write. I’m doing that right now actually. I have a playlist of “writing songs” and it consists of Three Days Grace (before Adam left), Breaking Benjamin, The Killers, Evanescence, mostly rock. I do listen to some moping love songs from time to time as well from artist such as Adele, Taylor Swift, Elvis, and The Civil Wars.
Oh yes! I love listening to music while I write. I’m doing that right now actually. I have a playlist of “writing songs” and it consists of Three Days Grace (before Adam left), Breaking Benjamin, The Killers, Evanescence, mostly rock. I do listen to some moping love songs from time to time as well from artist such as Adele, Taylor Swift, Elvis, and The Civil Wars.
Which
of your characters would you most like to meet in person? Which character of
another author would you want to meet?
I would love to meet my main character Rayna. I think she’s fascinating. She’s got almost any supernatural talent you can think of and, to me, I find that amazing and horrifying at the same time.
If I could meet Odd Thomas from Dean Koontz’s Odd Thomas series that would be awesome! He’s my literary soul mate. I would also give him a hug because he’s been through so much loss and still tries to save the world or his little part of it.
I would love to meet my main character Rayna. I think she’s fascinating. She’s got almost any supernatural talent you can think of and, to me, I find that amazing and horrifying at the same time.
If I could meet Odd Thomas from Dean Koontz’s Odd Thomas series that would be awesome! He’s my literary soul mate. I would also give him a hug because he’s been through so much loss and still tries to save the world or his little part of it.
How
much do you write each day/week?
I should write more, but I don’t want to force myself. I think if you do then what your write is going to be crap. Some authors claim that you have to write every day, but I don’t think that’s true for everyone. Don’t force it.
I should write more, but I don’t want to force myself. I think if you do then what your write is going to be crap. Some authors claim that you have to write every day, but I don’t think that’s true for everyone. Don’t force it.
Do
you have a routine when you write?
Other than listening to music, not really. I do have to be comfy. Sometimes I sit in my chair at my desk, but then sometimes I’m lazy and use the recliner.
Other than listening to music, not really. I do have to be comfy. Sometimes I sit in my chair at my desk, but then sometimes I’m lazy and use the recliner.
What
is your latest project/release?
Currently I’m trying to wrap up my trilogy in my Paranormal Thriller. It has been a challenge. You want to make it the best you can because it’s the last book, but you also want to make sure you aren’t leaving any issue unresolved. It’s fun, yet draining. I think I put too much pressure on myself.
Currently I’m trying to wrap up my trilogy in my Paranormal Thriller. It has been a challenge. You want to make it the best you can because it’s the last book, but you also want to make sure you aren’t leaving any issue unresolved. It’s fun, yet draining. I think I put too much pressure on myself.
Do
you have any signings or appearances coming up?
I do. I have YomuCon in Tuscaloosa, AL on November 14th at the Tuscaloosa Public Library. After that, I don’t have anything until March of next year, so far. I’m sure I’ll be adding events along the way.
I do. I have YomuCon in Tuscaloosa, AL on November 14th at the Tuscaloosa Public Library. After that, I don’t have anything until March of next year, so far. I’m sure I’ll be adding events along the way.
Who
were your inspirations?
I’ve had many inspirations, but my Mom will always be number one. She is such an artsy person. Mom spent most of her life taking care of others, being a mom and CNA, but she shines when she’s painting, crafting, or doing anything that allows her to be creative. She’s always into something and I want to be like, always looking for something new to learn.
I’ve had many inspirations, but my Mom will always be number one. She is such an artsy person. Mom spent most of her life taking care of others, being a mom and CNA, but she shines when she’s painting, crafting, or doing anything that allows her to be creative. She’s always into something and I want to be like, always looking for something new to learn.
Favorite
authors?
There are so many! Rowling, Tolkien, Stein, but one that has always been at the top is Dean Koontz. I devour everything that he writes. I want to be that kind of writers, one that writes straight from the heart, even if it’s a bit scary.
There are so many! Rowling, Tolkien, Stein, but one that has always been at the top is Dean Koontz. I devour everything that he writes. I want to be that kind of writers, one that writes straight from the heart, even if it’s a bit scary.
What
book do you read over and over the most?
I’ve reread the Harry Potter series numerous times. I also love Odd Thomas, by Dean Koontz. I think I could read that book a billion times and not get tired of it.
I’ve reread the Harry Potter series numerous times. I also love Odd Thomas, by Dean Koontz. I think I could read that book a billion times and not get tired of it.
Is
there a book or book series that you recommend to people?
Yes! The Odd Thomas series, of course. If you like anything to do with the Paranormal or following characters with supernatural gifts then it really is a great series. I mean, he sees the ghost of Elvis! Yes, that Elvis.
Yes! The Odd Thomas series, of course. If you like anything to do with the Paranormal or following characters with supernatural gifts then it really is a great series. I mean, he sees the ghost of Elvis! Yes, that Elvis.
Do
you have a dream project that you want to write in the future?
I’ve been working on a fantasy series for so many years that I’ve lost count. I plan to get it finished one day.
I’ve been working on a fantasy series for so many years that I’ve lost count. I plan to get it finished one day.
Do
you have a special way of generating story ideas?
I don’t think there is one way that a story has come to me. Some stories are derived from personal experiences, although beefed up, and some I’ve actually dreamed about. One that I’m working on, when I’m not writing Book 3 of The Darkness Trilogy, is a true life story that I heard. It’s not word for word, but it gave me an idea for the story. By the time I’m finished you’d never put two and two together, but it was inspired by something that actually happened.
I don’t think there is one way that a story has come to me. Some stories are derived from personal experiences, although beefed up, and some I’ve actually dreamed about. One that I’m working on, when I’m not writing Book 3 of The Darkness Trilogy, is a true life story that I heard. It’s not word for word, but it gave me an idea for the story. By the time I’m finished you’d never put two and two together, but it was inspired by something that actually happened.
How
much of you is in your characters?
I think a lot of me is in some of my characters and some of them are things that I fear about myself. Then there are those characters that I wish I could be. I don’t think you can write something without leaving a bit of your soul behind.
I think a lot of me is in some of my characters and some of them are things that I fear about myself. Then there are those characters that I wish I could be. I don’t think you can write something without leaving a bit of your soul behind.
If
you could live the life of one of your characters, who would it be?
This would be easy if my characters lived charmed lives, but all of them are facing some dire circumstances. However, I would want to be my main character, Rayna, because she has some amazing supernatural gifts. It’s not the gifts themselves that I find appealing, but how she is called to use those gifts. I think she takes her mission in life with as much as grace as one could.
This would be easy if my characters lived charmed lives, but all of them are facing some dire circumstances. However, I would want to be my main character, Rayna, because she has some amazing supernatural gifts. It’s not the gifts themselves that I find appealing, but how she is called to use those gifts. I think she takes her mission in life with as much as grace as one could.
What
genre do you prefer to write? To read?
I prefer to write in the paranormal vein, but my reading preference is all over the place.
I prefer to write in the paranormal vein, but my reading preference is all over the place.
Do
you prefer writing short stories or novels?
And why?
Well, when I write, I’m writing with a novel in mind. I’ve written short stories and let me tell you, they can be a challenge. You have so much story to tell in a certain amount of words.
Well, when I write, I’m writing with a novel in mind. I’ve written short stories and let me tell you, they can be a challenge. You have so much story to tell in a certain amount of words.
Is
Writer’s Block ever a problem for you?
If so, how do you deal with it.
I think there is always a moment in your story or writing career when you look at something you’re working on and go: “Uh….” It happens. When it does, I either leave it alone for a couple of days and completely not write or I’ll work on another project. When you pick it back up, more times than not, you start seeing things a bit more clearly. I have to sit and think about my characters sometimes. I act out what they might do in my mind and then I write it down.
I think there is always a moment in your story or writing career when you look at something you’re working on and go: “Uh….” It happens. When it does, I either leave it alone for a couple of days and completely not write or I’ll work on another project. When you pick it back up, more times than not, you start seeing things a bit more clearly. I have to sit and think about my characters sometimes. I act out what they might do in my mind and then I write it down.
What
3 things do you feel every aspiring writer should know?
1. Not everyone is going to love your writing, it sucks, but that doesn’t mean you give up.
2. Don’t rush it. Just because your other author friends and pumping out books doesn’t mean you’re going to get left behind. Yes, work your butt off, but don’t put out a halfway finished book just to say you have book out there.
3. Invest in yourself. It can be on cover art, editing, marketing, or writing classes. Whatever you do, remember to take care of yourself. You are a brand, a small business; treat yourself that way.
1. Not everyone is going to love your writing, it sucks, but that doesn’t mean you give up.
2. Don’t rush it. Just because your other author friends and pumping out books doesn’t mean you’re going to get left behind. Yes, work your butt off, but don’t put out a halfway finished book just to say you have book out there.
3. Invest in yourself. It can be on cover art, editing, marketing, or writing classes. Whatever you do, remember to take care of yourself. You are a brand, a small business; treat yourself that way.
What
is your funniest/ awkward moment at a convention/signing event?
I feel like I’m always awkward at conventions. They have brought me out of my shell though.
I feel like I’m always awkward at conventions. They have brought me out of my shell though.
How
do you use social media in regards to your writing?
Social media is very important for me. I’ve developed great relationships with my readers over Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms. I believe that authors should try their best to utilize those tools as much as possible. It’s validating as an author to hear from a reader who enjoyed your books and the readers feel apart of your process when you reach back out to them. Nurture those relationships.
Social media is very important for me. I’ve developed great relationships with my readers over Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms. I believe that authors should try their best to utilize those tools as much as possible. It’s validating as an author to hear from a reader who enjoyed your books and the readers feel apart of your process when you reach back out to them. Nurture those relationships.
Do you
read reviews of your books? If so, have
you ever engaged a reviewer over comments they’ve made?
I do read reviews. As an Indie Author, reviews are really important. Word of mouth is how we make a living. I don’t want to question a reader’s review of my books. I understand that my books aren’t for everyone. The last thing I want to do is make a reader feel attacked.
I do read reviews. As an Indie Author, reviews are really important. Word of mouth is how we make a living. I don’t want to question a reader’s review of my books. I understand that my books aren’t for everyone. The last thing I want to do is make a reader feel attacked.
Thanks A.G.. Checkout her website:
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