Fix By Amanda Gregory

10/19/2019

Debut author, Amanda Gregory, introduces us to her novel, Fix:
Tammy was only fifteen when she was introduced to the world of drugs. Five years later, she finds herself on the other side of the country in California. Life is different here compared to the small town she grew up in New Jersey, but Tammy is still up to her old tricks bumming at her polar-opposite, lifelong friend Alecia’s place. Her new beau, Randy, is anything but good with his cold, mysterious demeanor but how can she say no when he suggests a road trip to visit his relatives in Colorado? Along the way, they make a detour at the Bad Karma Club in Las Vegas where they meet an unruly group: Mark leads the group with his obnoxious personality, his sidekick Ty, Angel whose dark disposition makes her seem just out of reach, and Alpha whose mysterious, green eyes unravel feelings inside Tammy that she can’t understand. The moment she meets them she has this unnerving feeling like she has finally found where she belongs. Tammy’s adventure gets even more interesting when Randy goes out on a “business” trip the next day with Mark and Ty, leaving her to defend herself in an unfamiliar area with Angel who introduces Tammy to her crush Charlie. The all-around funny guy Charlie is a dream to be around except for the fact that he has his own entanglement in the drug ring among other things. The moment of bliss turns sour when the boys return from their trip as Tammy finds out who she can really rely on and is faced with crossroads ahead. She finally finds the “family” that she has always wanted but it comes with a price. Will she self-destruct just to belong somewhere, or will she find another way to have it all?

At first glance, this Young Adult story seemed rather superficial, typical of so many who have no real aim in life other than survival and trying to feel good. However, it graphically shows how easy it is to become addicted to narcotics. Opioids are a serious issue in today's world. Navigating through the teen years into adulting is very difficult. Most of us decide to do it on our own, without seeking help from those who have been down that path already, the previous generation.
I was surprised by the depth of the story and I was pleasantly shocked by the ending. This is quite a good story.
The scene-setting was good, not too much or too little. The characters really shined for me; they came across as quite real, with depth. The dialogue, inner and outer, was the best part of the book. I was drawn into Tammy’s world effortlessly and empathetically. The first person POV made a huge difference, I really appreciate the intimacy it provides. The mark of good writing on my score card.
There are a few steamy sections and many instances of drug use.
I enjoyed the story a great deal.
I award a score of 4.8 stars to “Fix”, the score would have been higher except for a large handful of spelling errors. The author has corrected those errors, so your reading will be smoother.

You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Fix-Amanda-Gregory-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/book/-fix
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fix-Amanda-Gregory-ebook
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/manderz19
https://amandagregoryauthor.com
https://amandagregoryofficial.tumblr.com
https://smile.amazon.com/Amanda-K-Gregory
https://www.goodreads.com/author/Amanda_K_Gregory
Tags: fiction, literary fiction, YA, road trip, addiction, romance
Copyright © 2019 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction

55 Comments

Amanda Gregory link

10/19/2019 01:17:07 pm

Thank you Mark for the for the wonderful review! I am glad that you enjoyed reading Fix and taking a glance into Tammy's world. Also, thank you for taking the time to help me become aware of the handful of spelling errors. I really appreciate it.

Mark

10/19/2019 03:11:39 pm

You are very welcome, I really enjoyed your book. Well done on the ending, It caught me by surprise. Thanks for agreeing to do the interview. I always learn something from authors and enjoy the chat a lot.
First question.
Please, tell us a more about yourself. Perhaps something a little bit beyond your bio.

10/19/2019 06:46:06 pm

Thank you, Mark! I'm sure throughout the interview we can talk about the ending without giving away too many spoilers. It was something that when I first thought of was instantly like 'this is how it has to be'. I'm really glad you enjoyed reading Fix and I can't wait to dive in deeper into the topic.

More about me... I currently live in Western Pennsylvania where I was born and raised. I own a home with my girlfriend. I'm twenty-four and she's twenty-six and together we raise her sister who is sixteen. The age gap is very small but we've been together for 6 years and so far everyone has survived (haha). We've worked really hard together to get where we are and where we want to be. I just graduated last May from Penn State with a BS in psychology and I currently work as a caseworker for Children and Youth Services. It's a learning process but I do enjoy my job and feel like it's important work. I also love to travel, meet new people, and experience different cultures. I would love to move somewhere either West coast or down South someday.

10/19/2019 07:02:32 pm

Thank you, Amanda. It sounds like you have a full life. Raising a teenager has many challenges, I bet you are doing well.
My wife and I did part time foster care for a number of years, that was interesting.
New questions.
What inspired you to write this book?
Why did you choose this genre, or do you feel the genre chose you?

10/19/2019 09:02:24 pm

Thanks, Mark! I stay busy for sure. That is so nice of you and your wife to choose to be foster parents. It's an important role and unfortunately one that is needed desperately.

I began writing as a therapeutic outlet. I never really had a creative outlet growing up. I didn't write anything and I wasn't good at painting or any other artistic things, but I always liked the idea of writing a book. Between the end of 2015 and summer of 2016, my girlfriend and I experienced eight deaths in our families. Four of those deaths were from drug overdoses. One of those deaths was my aunt who I had a very close relationship with. I began writing as a way to cope with it and Fix was born. I just kind of jumped right into writing without having any idea of ever being published or even thinking of anyone else ever reading it, but I fell in love with writing and being able to express myself in a constructive way. Honestly, I had no idea what I was doing when I wrote Fix, but I knew that I needed to for my own sake. Another thing is there is so much judgment when it comes to drug addiction and I wanted to show people that it is possible to be able to like someone that is an addict and that people who are addicted to drugs can be good people too. There's no white or black area with this subject and I tried to showing that with Fix. As far as the genre, I feel like this genre is the only one that would accurately portray this story. In future writing projects, I would love to try out different genres. Of course, I am going to have the sequel to Fix which will be the same genre and I am working on a YA fantasy right now which is a nice change of pace.

10/19/2019 09:11:50 pm

I think your book is very timely. You did portray the characters in a sympathetic way. I am glad to hear that a sequel is planned.
Eight family members dying is an overwhelming burden, no matter the cause of death.
New questions.
Who designed the cover of your book? Feel free to drop a link if appropriate.
What does the duct tape on the cover represent?
I am a retired sheet metal worker, I have hung a lot of ductwork. Funny thing, we use different materials at times, but we don't use duct tape on ductwork.

10/20/2019 08:42:14 am

Thank you, Mark I appreciate your kind words. I designed the book myself and used the book cover creator that Amazon provides when you go through their self publishing process. I thought that duct tape for the cover would be clever as duct tape "fixes everything" and the title Fix represents the root of addiction and the need to get your 'fix'. I also liked the simplicity of the cover too.

10/20/2019 09:45:28 am

I thought that might be the case. A clever play on words, I love it!
New questions.
Were the character names difficult to develop? How did you choose them?
Have you entered any writing contests?
Have you won awards of any kind for your writing?

10/20/2019 11:34:58 am

Thank you! The characters themselves weren't too hard to develop. I took little pieces of people that I knew here and there and incorporated them into the characters. For example, the friendship between Tammy and Angel is based off of my friendships with some of my close friends. The good qualities in Alpha is based off of my girlfriend. Charlie was based off of how I feel Tammy deserved to be treated in a relationship but he had his own rabbit hole that he was stuck in too. Tammy was just a combination of things such as my perception of how I have seen other people think and act in addiction, general hopes and fears with life, and just wanting to be better. As Tammy's character development progressed I tried to get her line of thinking from just thinking in the moment and of herself to looking around at the people around her and thinking outside of herself a little more. I had a lot of fun exploring themes with Tammy such as wanting a place in this world to fit in but also wanting to be better person and not really knowing how to get out of the rabbit hole that she has created for herself. It was a really cool experience to be able to create people with different backgrounds, quirks, etc and feel like they're real people that I know. I am grateful for the whole experience.

I have entered Fix into the Annual Writer's Digest competition this year but that is the only one that I have done so far. I still have to more research on writing contests.

10/20/2019 11:50:15 am

I think a lot of people do what you have done. Taken bits and pieces of themselves and people they know well to give their characters depth. Some authors use more than bits, they run the risk of the real person discovering themselves in a book. If it's a close friend or family member. I think it's a good idea to clear it with the real person ahead of time, if you are using a lot of one person for a major character.
Contests can be a good way to improve writing skills. When you don't win and can read the winning entries, comparison can be quite educational. Here is a good post about entering contests and how to avoid being scammed. https://annerallen.com/2019/05/beware-bogus-writing-contests/ you will have to copy and paste the link.
New questions.
Did you go through the query process or did you go straight to self-publishing, and why?
How do you think your book compares to a book published by a major publisher?
There are many unethical practices in publishing, which one is the most unbearable in your mind?

10/20/2019 08:22:37 pm

Thank you for providing that information on contests! I know that the judges will be giving feedback to the contestants who didn't win at the end of the year so I am looking forward to hearing that so I can improve. I began reading a lot more than what I used to get a feel for different writing styles and I feel like that has helped a lot too.

I did go through the query process but only for a brief moment. I probably should have stuck it out longer than what I did, but I was impatient (I know, rookie mistake on my part). I just wanted Fix out there and didn't give much thought into the future like I do now. With my new projects I am going to take my time in the editing process and query until I get an agent or publisher. I feel more serious about the whole process now and want to make sure that I do better especially with spelling and grammar errors.

One of the harder things for self publishing is having good marketing on your own. I think it is also harder to get credibility as a self-published author than someone who has chosen the traditional route. I feel like people don't want to hear from someone selling their own products, they want to hear from other people how good something is.

Something that I am wary about with unethical publishing is publishing companies using authors for a quick buck. I know that there is an act that automatically copy rights a book as soon as the writer puts pen on paper but I got Fix copy righted anyways. After I did that I had different companies calling me and trying to get me to publish through them and every time that I did my research on them, I found that they were all scams basically. I think that is unbearable especially after someone has put their entire being into something just to have it taken away.

10/20/2019 08:43:21 pm

Traditional publishing isn't always what it's cracked up to be. A few decades ago, it was the only game in town. Amazon has changed that tremendously. Anyone can publish a book now, which has a well documented downside. However, when an author goes the traditional publishing route, they lose a lot of control over their book. A lot of publishing companies try to grab all the Intellectual Property rights they can, and there is a bunch. A book is just the beginning. There are also audio books, large-print, foreign language books, foreign language audio books, merchandising, plays, movies, tv series. Licensing IP is big business now. English language audio books are exploding around the world.
Marketing is a big issue for many writers. It requires taking off the creative hat and putting on the business hat. Funny thing, unless your name is Rowland or someone else equally famous, traditional publishers won't do much in the way of marketing. It's right back in your lap. Some independent publishers won't look at you unless you have a website mailing list numbering in the thousands. That represents guaranteed sales to the publisher and more money in their pocket. Do your homework and get a lawyer if you want to sign a contract for traditional publishing.
New questions.
Do you have a favorite book by another author?
Did you have a favorite book as a child?
Does writing have a spiritual or healing component for you, does it energize you or make you feel tired?

10/21/2019 06:24:08 pm

Thank you for the advice. I will take all of that into consideration in the future.

My favorite book is Full Tilt by Neal Shusterman. I love the imagery in the book and the message behind it. The book is smaller too so you can get it done in a day if you wanted to. I like to take a day and reread it every now and then. I also like his skin jack series and the fantasy aspects of it. My favorite genres would have to be contemporary and fantasy.

Ellen Hopkins was another favorite of mine growing up. She writes in free verse and her books are easy to get through in a timely fashion as well. I like how she is unafraid to talk about real world trauma and problems.

I would have to say that writing energizes me. After I get a good writing session done, I feel really good about myself. I enjoy having something to focus on and keep my mind occupied with as I feel like my mind can go 100mph at times. I feel like writing a book is like watching a tv series except you get the honor of making the characters. You also get attached to the characters and invested and then get sad when it is over.

10/21/2019 07:09:56 pm

I hope I didn't dump too much on you all at once. That is a lot to digest, my apologies.
Almost every writer reports feeling good after a productive writing session, some describe it as good and tired. Accomplishment is wonderful.
New questions.
Why is it important for writers to tap into the emotions of the characters?
Are you an under-writer or an over-writer?
What I mean is, when the first draft is done, do you need to add more to it to flesh it out or do you have to cut material because there is too much there?

10/21/2019 07:32:56 pm

You're fine! I appreciate all the help that you have to offer me. Sorry, I didn't really have much to say back to it but I do appreciate it.

I feel like it is very important to tap into the emotions of the characters. I feel like it helps the reader connect with the characters as well as make them more real. I think one of the most basic human nature necessities is the need to connect with one another. We do that in many different ways and writing and reading is one of those things. It gives people the ability to share a voice, express different hardships, and be able to connect and feel less alone in this world.

I'm definitely an under-writer. I feel like people will be able to tell that with Fix as I just wrote what I felt was necessary and it was hard for me to think of things that could be added. It is a short book. For the current YA fantasy that I am working on I have set a goal for myself to write about 3,000 words a chapter. I have been doing better with that and it hasn't been hard. Reading other people's books has helped me pick up on different things that would be beneficial or fun for the reader to have more details on. When I wrote the first draft to Fix I ended up adding chapter 26 to it because I felt like the ending just went by too fast. Chapter 26 is one of my favorite chapters to write and I couldn't imagine the book not having it.

10/21/2019 07:41:48 pm

Thanks. It occurred to me that between Guest Blogs and Highly Regarded Blogs, both pages on my website, there is a lot of useful information. I add to the HRB page every day.
I agree with you about emotional connections, you expressed that quite well.
I think it's smart to read the work of other authors, it's important to know what is out there and what people are buying.
New questions.
Have you ever used yourself or other acquaintances as a character for a starting point in a story? Would they recognize you or themselves in the story?
If you used a close friend or family member in a book, would you tell them or make sure that they wouldn't recognize themselves in the story?

10/21/2019 08:00:59 pm

Thank you! I am excited to check those pages out.

I haven't used the people I know as a starting point in a story but with the characters I used bits and pieces of people. The starting point in Fix I made up and most of the plot points in the book is not based on events that have happened to me or people I know. The only thing that I really based the story off of is the ending of the book which is based off of my girlfriend's brother. I told my friends what I used of them in my book as far as the characters go. They all seemed to feel honored that I included them which was nice and made me feel good to be able to do that for them too. My current project is not based off of anyone that I know. I feel like I have moved on from doing that at least for this book. I like the idea of not having any association with anyone either. I have had people try to take credit for my book or misconstrue events or people in my book for myself or other people. After Fix was released I had a handful of people messaging me and asking if these things have ever happened to me and none of the events in the book is based on any of my personal experiences.

10/21/2019 09:22:13 pm

I think a lot of authors do that, bits and pieces of people they know or events they have heard of.
I have heard of authors who stumble upon a person who looks just like the character they had pictured in their mind and they use the opportunity to get to know that person better, if possible.
It sounds like you have a good group of supportive people in your circle.
I thought I was reading a memoir at the beginning of your book. I have read quite a few and it had that realistic feel to it. Some good writing.
I am glad you are being careful to protect your intellectual property.
New questions.
Which is more fun to write, the protagonist or the antagonist, and why?
What is one thing you hate about your protagonist and one thing you love about the antagonist?
What is your writing routine when you sit down to write?
Do you write in a straight line or do you write whatever the muse provides for you at a given moment?

10/22/2019 03:43:38 pm

Thank you for your compliments!

I enjoyed writing the protagonist for Fix. I enjoyed writing the character development for Tammy. One thing I hate about Tammy is her being so pleasure oriented and just wanting to do what feels good. I also don’t like her immature thinking of not taking responsibility with her actions especially at the beginning when she had all of those people at Alecia’s place. There was a part, I think in the middle, when I was writing and I just did not like Tammy at all during it but there isn’t parts that you like in everybody so I think it’s just a part of accepting that.

I don’t really feel like my book has too many antagonists like Fix does but not people that stay consistently throughout the book to make them a true rival for Tammy. I would have to say that Randy and Mark are antagonists and there isn’t too many things that I like about either of them.

I don’t really have a set writing routine. It’s hard having a set time to sit down and write with work and my personal life usually being hectic. When I do write I just sit down and read a little from where I left off and then make myself get back into the groove. I’d say I write about 1,000 words an hour so it takes me about 3 hours for a chapter. I do more thinking for what I want and work out the possible scenarios instead of writing different drafts for something.

I usually write in a straight line but I do skip around. For example with the new book I’m working on I wrote the last three chapters first and then started at the beginning. For Fix I went through from beginning to end but sometimes I just get random “ah ha” moments and I have to put it down before I forget it.

10/22/2019 04:14:59 pm

Tammy's journey was pretty real, her changing desires were evident, especially towards the end. Mark and Randy fulfilled their roles well.
May authors struggle to find time to write on a regular basis. Real life activities can put a crimp in our plans in many ways.
I think you are wise to stay sensitive to your muse, especially on your new book.
New questions.
Now that your book is published, is there anything about it you would like to change?
How do you think your book relates to the world we live in today?
What is the one thing you hope readers will remember from your book?

10/22/2019 04:39:04 pm

There really isn’t anything that I would change to Fix plot wise. Of course Fix isn’t going to be my best work as I continue to grow and change as a writer but I think it’s nice to be able to look back and see how far my writing has come. Even now I can see changes in my writing. The only thing I can really think of is I would try to make the book longer itself since it is so short.

I think my world relates heavily to real world issues with addiction and opioid use. It shows people how easy it is to get yourself trapped in the hole of addiction. Opioid crisis is very real and loved ones die every day from battling these addictions. I hope that Fix educates people on what addiction can be like and I hope that it gives people who struggle with addiction a voice and makes them feel less alone in the world. I hope that readers remember how Tammy was as a person and how that even though she was an addict that she was still trying to be a good person. I hope that people remember that this could easily happen to anyone and that if they are struggling with addiction that recovery and sobriety is vital for them. I hope that someone struggling reads my book and it’s one of the stepping stones for them to reach out and get help or even feel validated in their struggles.

10/22/2019 05:06:54 pm

I think your book presents a realistic view of addiction and how it can be such a struggle to get and stay sober.
Your growth as a writer is a good thing, your writing will only get better as you learn more and apply it.
New questions.
What else are you writing these days?
What software do you use to write and publish your books, and why do you use those?
How do you keep track of all the characters and events in your books?

10/22/2019 07:16:56 pm

I am currently working on an YA fantasy about a girl who has realized that she has died and with the help of her spirit guide she goes through her life revision exploring the good, bad, and discovering how she died. I also wrote a short poem book titled Split in the Middle that is about the highs and lows of a person struggling with bipolar and going through the manic and depressive episodes. The pages alternate between the two throughout the book. I am working on the illustrations for it right now.

I mostly use word document and google docs right now. I know a lot of people use different softwares but with the first draft I just use google docs because I can access that anywhere and then I transfer it when I need to.

I reference back through the book a lot to keep track of things like if there is something that I am uncertain of then I go back to double check. I think for the most part I have a good idea of what I am doing and don’t forget. I usually have a general idea of big picture plot points for the whole book in my head before I even put it on paper. I like to have a general idea of what I’m doing with the book and it helps me keep track of events going on because it almost feels like I have it memorized at that point and it just needs to come out of my head and onto paper.

10/22/2019 07:28:53 pm

Many authors use MS Word or Google Docs, not many have mentioned using both.
I do most of my work with Word, but I have learned to use Docs also.
As you get into longer stories you may find it necessary to make notes of some kind. A lot has been written about plotting a book and there are many levels of plotting. I am sure you will find a system that will work for you.
You might enjoy going through some of the past interviews I have done, some writers are very detailed about plotting out a book, others not so much.
New questions.
Have you ever had the experience of the story swerving in a different direction than planned, as if a character was driving it?
Do you have defined space for writing at home, or are you a coffee-shop writer?
Do you listen to music or have the TV on when writing, or do you need quiet?

10/22/2019 07:55:57 pm

Thank you I will look into that as well! I love learning this whole process and seeing what works with different writers.

I have not experienced of having a character change the book into a different path. I’m sure I will experience that someday and am open to it if it arrises.

I do most of my writing in my room where I have my own space for that. I did my whole college career online so I’m used to just going and doing my own thing at home. Sometimes I write with music, tv, or no sound it just depends on how easily I feel like I am going to get distracted. Sometimes outside noises help me stay focused and sometimes I can’t stand it.

10/22/2019 08:06:52 pm

There is a lot to learn. In some ways, writing reminds me of golf, no matter how good you are, there is always room for improvement.
An entire college education online, you are a disciplined person. I have known many people who could not do that. Congratulations. That kind of dedication will serve you well as a writer and throughout your life.
New questions.
Action, dialogue, or narration; which is easiest to write?
Of the five senses, which is the easiest to write and which is the hardest?
Have you ever participated in theater in some way?

10/23/2019 07:01:07 pm

I like writing all three and I think which is easier depends on what the writing is about. If it’s about something interesting or if I’m in a flow then it’s easy but if it’s dry then it’s harder.

I feel like visual is easy to write sometimes. One thing I try to do is write like I’m the reader because it’s so different being the writer and knowing what you mean and just reading something for the first time. You can write and miss important details by accident and you know what you mean but that missing information could be important for someone reading it for the first time who has no idea what you mean. I like writing visuals the best and setting the scenery.

I have a hard time describing facial expressions though. Sometimes I make the facial expression that I am trying to write and then try to describe what I’m doing. I feel like I get stuck with that or feel like people aren’t going to get what I mean.

I have not participated in theater besides in elementary school. There’s a town about 30 mins from me that has a theater that does two day shows, like you’ll go and audition, get assigned a role, practice, and then the next day you do the show. I think I would like to try that out sometime and see how my nerves do. I’ve struggled with social anxiety all my life so when I was younger it was really hard for me to get myself to do stuff like that.

10/23/2019 07:13:20 pm

A lot of writers say the visual sense is the easiest. I imagine because we are all so visually oriented.
Working to maintain the perspective of a new reader is important, as you say, it's so easy to leave out small details that will enrich a passage if they are present.
Facial expressions beyond the common could be quite difficult to describe. An emotion is being portrayed on the face and in the posture of a person. We give so many different kinds of non-verbal clues when expressing emotions.
The theater thing sounds like fun. Many years ago, I participated in a fashion show at our church. I had three changes to make. It was nerve wracking, but I did enjoy it.
New questions.
What kind of marketing are you doing or planning on doing for your book?
What kind of marketing has worked the best and the least for you?
Speaking of marketing, why did you pick me to help promote your book?

10/23/2019 07:34:23 pm

A fashion show sounds like fun and I’m glad you enjoyed it. I bet that would be nerve wracking doing that especially if you’re not used to doing that.

I have to do more research with marketing. I feel like it’s a lot harder than what people would think it would be. You can reach out to like thirty people and only have one or two actually reply. I’ve tried doing advertisements through Amazon but it did not do that well. I’ve given some books away to help promote. I’ve donated Fix to addiction awareness events in my hometown too. Right now I’m just trying to get honest reviews and I plan on submitting to more contests. If you have any advice on marketing I would appreciate it.

I picked you to help promote my book because I knew that you would give an honest review on what you thought about Fix. I appreciate how hard you work on promoting with not only this interviews, but the previous ones as well.

10/23/2019 08:23:03 pm

Thanks for those kind words, I might put those on my website as a testimonial.
Marketing is a tough nut to crack and subject of much discussion among authors of all stripes. Many blog posts have been written on the subject and there is no real consensus on what works.
This is the problem. Every year, a million or more books are published on Amazon. Just like the year before and the year before that. Amazon made it possible for anyone to publish a book, and many have taken up that challenge. How does an author stand out and attract attention? How does an author find the people who will love the book and recommend it to all their friends?
You are doing things at the local level that are really smart. There are more things that you can do at the local level. You can pursue interviews on local TV and radio stations, don't forget local cable access, college and high school stations if they exist. You might be bale to sell or place your books in local bookstores and libraries. If there is tourism in your area seek out the B&Bs, local restaurants, museums, and gift shops as a "local author", autograph the books also. Some might buy two or three copies, buy or make some cardboard counter displays for your book, paste a full-size picture of your book along with a phone number or email to order more, on the display. Some places might take them on consignment, some you will be lucky to place them at all. Of course, all this takes time, without any guarantee of sales. The local angle is just one small piece of the puzzle.
New questions.
How do you know when a book is finished?
How long did it take you to write the first draft?
How many drafts did you go through to have a ready-to-publish manuscript?

10/24/2019 07:25:48 pm

Thank you for your advice on marketing. I am going to have to look more into local papers and things like that I have not thought of.

I think I know a book is finished when I have everything that I pictured in my head and feel like that the meaning behind the book is accurately portrayed.

I’ve been thinking about writing a book for a long time like probably all the way back to 2014-2015 and I wrote like little quotes for it with no real direction. I didn’t start actually writing the book until 2017 and then I wrote it in one year and then did all the edits and had beta readers in 2018.

The whole number of drafts confuses me to be honest. Do writers usually write a first draft then completely start over and write a second one? I just wrote the first draft for Fix and then went through and added the one chapter and changed one event but other than that everything in the first draft is what Fix is. The most I did was have people read for spelling and grammar but it ended up having a lot anyways. I think for future projects I am going to take advantage of your proofreading package for those issues.

10/24/2019 08:15:38 pm

There are many other methods of promoting a book. They either take time or money.
You did a lot of the right things writing your book, self-editing, beta readers and such. Multiple drafts become more important as more characters, locations and sub-plots are brought into the book. Think high fantasy with multiple races and a quest across many lands, for one example.
A writer will complete the first draft, put it away for a few weeks then bring it out and read and edit. That's the second draft. The writer may have one or two alpha readers, edit again with their comments in mind, third draft. If the writer has the money they might send the book to developmental editor, for plot holes and continuity, fourth draft. Then send it to several beta readers, edit again, fifth draft. Then send it to a full editor, work through all of those suggestions, draft six. Finally, a proofreader, like me, work through all of those suggestions b draft seven. Put it away for a few weeks, review and publish draft eight. It's a lot of work and money, but that's how a quality book is put out.
New questions.
How did you find your beta-readers?
Do you give them an e-version like a PDF or a hard copy you printed off?
What kind of questions did you ask them to get the feedback you wanted?

10/24/2019 08:25:56 pm

I have a couple of friends with English degrees that I asked them to beta read for me and luckily they agreed to. I also reached out on my personal Facebook account asking people if they were interested.

I just added their email on google docs and put them as comment only so that way they could read through but not be able to edit. I asked them to read through the book and check for spelling, if there are any details or if they read through and didn’t like something to let me know. I wanted to make sure that the book didn’t move too fast or if it was good in general. Fix really is my first writing experience which I feel like is a leap as people tend to write poems and short stories for a little bit before just jumping into writing a book.

10/25/2019 08:28:09 am

Using Google Docs in that manner seems to work well. I think that is pretty smart. I haven't used Docs much, I can do a little there.
Many writers do start with poetry, I think that can provide a good foundation for writing novels because one can learn techniques of describing things. Writing short stories is another excellent foundation because learning to plot and subplot a story, and learning to economically use words is important for a lot of writers.
New questions.
For your new book, will you seek out new beta readers or work with the same ones as before?
Do you reward your beta readers in any way particular?
Do you have other writers you connect with, as in a critique group or support group?

10/25/2019 08:47:07 pm

For my new book I will probably use some of the same readers as before and add new ones as well. I think some people did really well and I appreciated their advice and I have a couple other new people that I know would help me. For Fix I didn’t really think of doing something special for my beta readers but this time around I am going to have an acknowledge page where I’m going to thank all the beta readers for helping me along with the new book.

There is a local writers group that I am a part of. Most of them do poetry though and like I’ve said before I don’t really do that. It’s not that I don’t think that would be good writing experience for me but I’m just not interested in writing poetry. I like working on manuscripts that are long term projects and I just don’t want to do something if I don’t like it. There’s a couple people from the writers community on Twitter that I talk to. There’s a lot of nice people from there.

10/25/2019 09:13:58 pm

An acknowledgement page would be nice. If you have some hard or soft cover books made, an autographed copy of that would be nice also.
Not everyone is a poet, some people are wired for novels or creating content such as non-fiction. However, using poetry as an exercise in quick or short writing is useful. It can also be used to break writer's block.
It would probably be helpful to find another group of critique partners to supplement the one you are already in. Some of those people might know other writers.
There are a lot of nice people on twitter. I enjoy interacting with them a great deal.
New questions.
What are three things, that you wish you knew before you wrote your first book?
Do you write notes by hand or on the computer?
What is the most valuable piece of advice you have ever received from another writer?

10/25/2019 10:02:05 pm

I wish I knew how powerful reading was for writing. It’s not that I didn’t know that it wasn’t powerful but just really how influential it is. I also wish that I knew more about what I was getting into as far as marketing goes so then I could have planned ahead to try to promote my book more before I published it. I think another thing would be to do research on more writing styles. I agree with you on writing poems to hone in on your craft. I have written some short stories since writing Fix and they are nice for practice.

I write most my my notes on the computer now. I used to do it by hand but it has just gotten easier to use google docs for me.

The best advice that I have received for writing is the encouraging keep at it advice and the advice to read more. I give a lot of credit to reading because it gives you a chance to kind of pick and choose writing techniques for yourself like you’re at a buffet. I really enjoy talking to people and hearing what they have to say and network with writers.

10/26/2019 07:51:01 am

You are on a path that so many authors walk. They spent so much time and effort to write and publish their book, then they pop up out of their burrow like a prairie dog and wonder what is going on. However, you are interested in doing all you can to increase your knowledge and advance your writing skill. That is a good place to start from. You are on your way.
You have been given some great advice.
New questions.
What are common traps for beginning writers?
Do you think a strong ego is an asset or liability for a writer and why?
You may not be able to answer the next question.
Can you describe the demographic of your ideal reader?
Who is the person most likely to buy your book that you are seeking to find?

10/26/2019 08:43:20 am

I think common traps for beginner writers is just not knowing how big the writing community really is. Even if you look on Twitter the writers community is enormous and like you said it does feel like you are a prairie dog coming out of your burrow for the first time. Luckily most people are very nice and supportive and there’s room for every kind of writer here.

I think a strong ego is a liability for a writer. You want to be able to take constructive criticism and not just automatically get defensive if someone doesn’t like something. I know it can be very hard and that’s something I am still learning how to do with every aspect of my life to just set back and listen instead of feeling like it’s a personal attack on myself. You need to be able to take criticism to grow and you can’t do that if you have a big ego.

My age demographic for Fix would be people ages 18-30. I know that people older have also liked Fix which is amazing but not really what I expected because it’s so in your face and has offensive language, drug use, and triggers. I think if you like the show Shameless then you would like Fix. I’m not really sure what demographic that is.

10/26/2019 09:38:56 am

There are a lot of wonderful and supportive people on Twitter, there are others also, of course. Many in the #WritingCommunity are more than happy to share ideas and give another writer a boost.
Accepting constructive criticism is difficult for almost everyone, I am not sure that it ever gets easy; just easier. Here is the dichotomy, a writer needs a certain amount of inner strength to keep writing and get the book published. There are so many instances that can feel devastating in the journey.
New questions.
Do you have anything you consider to be your writing lucky charm?
What is the biggest obstacle you face in writing?
What is your writing Kryptonite and how has it affected you?

10/26/2019 02:28:02 pm

I love seeing how much the #writerscommunity interacts with one another and how helpful everyone is.

I don’t have anything that I consider to be a writing lucky charm. I think my biggest obstacles right now would be me being at the beginning of my writing career and pushing myself to have a good work ethic with writing. It’s hard to not make yourself write when you’re not motivated but if you only wrote when you had that spark then I wouldn’t get a lot done in a short amount of time. I am still working on building that good work ethic with my writing and I find that when I make myself sit down and write it takes me a little bit to get back into it but I do end up in a good flow and I feel better after a writing session. I can tend to procrastinate writing when I’m not really sure what I want to do with it yet and that can hinder me.

10/26/2019 03:12:27 pm

They are a helpful bunch of people. No doubt about that.
Here is a tip I read some time ago. When you are writing, stop in the middle of a chapter, rather than the end. When you come back to it, you most likely already know where you are going and it gets the creative juices flowing.
You are certainly on the right track. You understand the importance of frequent writing. I predict you will accomplish a great deal with an attitude and drive like that.
New questions.
Do you struggle with writer's block, if so, how do you overcome it?
Do you see an advantage of writing under a pseudonym, why or why not?
Are there any writing styles or genres that you disliked at first but soon came to like?

10/27/2019 09:22:14 am

I struggle with writers block sometimes I think all writers do. I just have to push myself through writers block and even if the writing isn’t as good as what I think it should be then the next day I’ll go back over that chapter and fix it. I think writers block can be a big downfall for a writer and it can be hard to overcome it when you just draw a blank sometimes. I think that’s part of working on building a good work ethic with writing is learning to push through that.

I can see the advantage of writing under a pseudonym for privacy purposes but I wouldn’t do it.

My favorite genres are probably contemporary and fantasy. I’ve read some mystery novels that I have enjoyed. I didn’t really think that I would like it but was surprised. I think as long as there is a good writing and story that I’ll like it.

10/27/2019 09:42:39 am

Writers block takes different forms for different writers. Some beginning writers struggle with the first draft because they edit as the write and it slows them and they lose touch with their muse.
There are many different ways to beat the block also. Reading a section aloud, starting a chapter or section that is begging to get out, working on a different story entirely or exploring a side issue or background of a central character. To name but a few ideas.
New questions.Do you think reading, watching movies or listening to music help you be a better writer?

Do you read books for entertainment or just research homework?
Have you ever read a book that changed the way you look at writing?

10/27/2019 11:36:13 am

Thanks for your advice!

I think that movies and reading help me become a better writer. With reading, you can see different styles in authors. With movies, you can see the different stages of plot that play out and try to identify them while you watch the movie and see how well it works with an audience.

I read for both entertainment and research purposes. I do enjoy reading for pleasure and authors such as Ellen Hopkins and Neal Shusterman. I began reading Stephen King of course and learn a lot from writing style. I really like Neal Shusterman’s third POV style that he does. As I continue reading I think it changes the way I look at writing even if it’s something small such as describing tiny details.

10/27/2019 01:08:18 pm

Besides different writing styles each genre has different writing expectations, rather the readers have expectations of the genre. For example, hard boiled detective stories treat women characters far different from reverse harem magic stories.
One of the delightful aspects of writing styles is how unique each story is even within the same sub-genre. No two stories are exactly alike.
New questions. What hurdle did you face in writing this book and how did you overcome it?

Would you agree or disagree with the statement: suffering is a requirement to be a good writer, and why?
Do you ever brainstorm with non-writers and if so, is it effective?

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer to enhance your career?

10/27/2019 02:14:31 pm

I think the biggest hurdle with writing Fix is that it’s the first writing project that I’ve ever had. I just felt like I needed to write this and Fix came out so I had no prior knowledge on anything about writing a book. I didn’t even know how to format the pages and put in indents so my friend, who has a degree in this field, helped me with a lot with formatting and things like that. I didn’t really have any expectations with Fix other than I just wrote it for therapeutic purposes and then when I was done I tried to get it published with the support of my close friends and then from there I decided that this was worth pursuing. So I still have a lot of learning to go as I move forward. The only brainstorming that I have done so far has been non writers. I think it has gone well and as far as the consumer side you have to know what people want and look for. I think the best money I have spent so far for my writing career is spent on books learning how to hone this craft and I have spent money on advertising on Amazon.

10/27/2019 02:44:05 pm

There is a lot to publishing a book. After several books, some writers feel so confident they open their own boutique publishing company. Formatting, book fronts and backs, copyrighting, there are a million details that need attention. It's no wonder to me that a lot of writers want to publish traditionally or independently, instead of self-publish. Every option has positive and negative aspects. But it all boils down to one thing, the more you can do yourself the more profit is yours.
Choosing your genre and knowing your market is very important, if you write something that doesn't align with the basic expectations of the market, sales and reviews will show it.
New questions.
Do you subscribe to any magazines, newsletters, blogs or podcasts that enhance your writing career? Feel free to share as many as you would like.
What are your favorite reference books for grammar and writing?
How many times did you rewrite the first page, first chapter?

10/27/2019 04:34:12 pm

I am not currently subscribed to any magazines, newsletters, or anything like that. I don’t have reference book for writing or grammar. Do you have any recommendations for me? I’ve read some informational books about writing like How to become a writer but that’s more of a teaching guide for setting good habits for writing. I wrote the first page of the first chapter as a whole only once but I’ve added little details like her brushing her teeth and stuff to add more detail for the readers. I’d say I’ve gone through it maybe ten times or more to the point where I got so tired of reading it.

10/27/2019 04:46:43 pm

I own several reference guides, the one I use almost all the time is The Chicago Manual of Style. It's a beast, but it's very complete. It takes a little getting used to and it's not cheap. It would be more economical to get one that is a year or two behind the latest edition.
As far as blogs, I think any of the blogs on my "Highly Regarded Blogs" page on my website are worth subscribing to. I subscribe to them myself. If a podcast is easier for you, then look to Joanna Penn of The Creative Penn. Kristine Rusch might have a podcast also, I am not sure. Podcasts are too slow for me, I have a hard time keeping my focus.
New questions.
What is the biggest myth about writing that would help aspiring authors?
Some authors go to great lengths to get inside the heads of their characters. Some create a biography, find photos that match the picture in their head, fill out psychological profiles. What do you do in that regard, if anything?
Do you have any problems when writing about characters of the opposite sex, why or why not?

10/28/2019 03:04:11 pm

I think a writing myth would be you either “have it” or you don’t. Writing is a learned skill and the more you do your research, read books, and practice writing the better you will be.

I have printed out and filled out psychological and background forms for the characters in the sequel to Fix. I’d have to say that it was fun using my imagination for little details about the character even if it is something as small as their favorite food and favorite pet. It really helps bring them to life.

I don’t really feel like I have problems writing for the opposite gender so far but I might as my writing career progresses.

10/28/2019 03:18:08 pm

I agree, if a person has enough interest they can learn to write and write well. A little talent doesn't hurt also. However, determination and grit will outwork talent every day of the week.
You are not the only writer that builds psychological profiles of their characters. I think it's a good idea and can make the story more interesting.
Last questions.
Have you thought about doing a book trailer?
Have you thought about doing an audio book? Audio books are exploding worldwide.
What is the most important thing you learned from your writing experience so far?

10/28/2019 05:40:05 pm

I haven’t given much thought to doing a book trailer. Maybe someday but I just am not that technologically advanced and I would want it to look good.
I have thought of doing an audio book and probably will for my books. The most important thing that I’ve learned from my writing experience so far is to keep trying no matter how long it takes. The writing community is vast and competitive like many other working fields and if this is something that’s important to you, you just have to keep trying.

10/28/2019 05:45:21 pm

Thank you, Amanda, I have really enjoyed our conversation. You have a fresh perspective. I look forward to your next books, as I am sure your other fans do.
I have a new promotion starting tomorrow.
Thank you again for the wonderful chat.

10/28/2019 06:10:43 pm

Thank you Mark for your kind words and wonderful insight. I appreciate you taking the time to read Fix and writing a review for it. Thank you again for taking the time to come to me with the grammar errors in Fix and I look forward to utilizing the spell check that you offer for my future books. Until next time!

Book Reviews

Fix By Amanda Gregory

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