The Novel Approach welcomes Amanda C. Stone today on The Adventures of Cole and Perry blog tour. Enjoy the short Q&A with Amanda, then be sure to enter for a chance to win a $10 Amazon or ARe Gift Card by clicking on the Rafflecopter widget below.
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Q: Amanda, I read your author bio. Will you expand a little bit on Pink Amanda and Blue Amanda? What kind of adventures did you and your colorful imaginary friends get up to?
A: When I was little pink was my favorite color. To the point where my parents painted my room pink, got me pink sheets, and pink art. The art was a big deal since my parents are art collectors so getting my own that was pink was a BFD. As an only child I played by myself quite often. Of course I made my plethora of stuffed animals play “with” me. I also had an imaginary friend. She was my best friend and liked all of the things I did. She also was cool enough to have my name too. But we didn’t want to get confused with each other so she was Pink Amanda. She came with me everywhere. We rode our bikes together, went on pirate adventures, pretended to play video games, were radio show hosts. But we weren’t complete in our friendship bond. Oh no, there was someone missing. So Blue Amanda joined us in our play. As an adult I can realize that Blue Amanda wasn’t the typical imaginary friend, however as a kid I didn’t realize my friend was different in anyway. He just was. See Blue Amanda was gender fluid. Sometimes he was a boy, sometimes she was a girl. I saw nothing wrong with it. Just who he was. Again, my two friends joined me in everything I did. Even when I was out with my parents. I would get upset when there weren’t chairs for them to sit in at restaurants. My parents indulged me far longer than most probably would, and it’s something that I encourage in my daughter. Imagination is the best thing for children to develop and grow. Some of my favorite times as a kid included my two imaginary friends.
Q: I’ve heard tell of authors who sleep with notebooks on their bedside tables in case they wake up in the night with a story idea. Do you practice this yourself? Have you ever gone back through your notes and wondered at what you were thinking at the time you wrote the idea down? What’s the strangest story idea you’ve ever come up with?
A: I do but I’ve gone digital. I have my phone next to my bed so I can write things down when I first wake up. Both my husband, and my daughter know not to disturb me if I’m typing furiously on my phone the second my eyes pop open. Many a glare have been aimed at the person that interrupts my flow because then the idea is just gone forever. Before the smart phone it was definitely a notebook. However some ideas got lost back then because I couldn’t read my handwriting from when I was still half asleep.
Q: Knowing writing is a craft that is continually being honed the more, and longer, you do it, how much credit do you give to having an active imagination as a child for being where you are today, a published author?
A: Pretty much all of it. If my mom didn’t work to keep me creating new ideas and wildly outlandish made up games, I don’t think I’d be half the writer, or person, I am today. I still have an amazingly active imagination. It just presents itself differently than imaginary friends. Well. I guess if we’re technical all authors have imaginary friends. We just put them down on paper and share our imaginary friends with the world.
Q: How did the idea for Cole and Perry come about. What intrigued you about the idea of following one couple through several years and a series of different life events?
A: The entire thing came from what happens in The Anniversary. When I started writing each of the stories, I didn’t really set out to show their growth. It just kind of happened. Part of me wants to keep writing more from them, but they’re silent for now. Maybe after people start telling me how much they love Cole and Perry I’ll start to see if Perry has some input in what’s going on. Especially since the whole thing is in Cole’s point of view.
As a side note, I’d love to hear what you think after you read the book (if you read the book) compared to what you originally thought based on the blurb.
Blurb: It all started when Cole met Perry in a bar. Over three years they had some exciting adventures, and misadventures. The six stories included in this book are all about their journey from bar to wedding.
The Anniversary
Another cancellation of plans by his boyfriend forces Cole out to the neighborhood bar. Not long after arriving he meets Perry. Even as exciting as Perry is, he’s unsure how the night will end.
The Fight
Cole and Perry are struggling to make time for each other and constantly at each other’s throats. A fight to the death will decide who is right or wrong in their arguments. But Cole really doesn’t want to shoot Perry.
The Threesome
Deciding they want to spice up things in the bedroom, Perry wants to have a one-time threesome. Cole’s nervous and doesn’t want to ask any of their friends to join them. Perry finds the perfect solution.
The House
After two and a half years together, Cole and Perry want to buy a house. Once they find the perfect house, they get to spend their first morning together in their new space. Perry will have to help Cole decide which room is his favorite.
The Baby
Both Cole and Perry are exhausted. Taking care of a three month old is hard when she’s up all night and is always hungry. If only they could find where they put the bottle warmer.
The Wedding
Cole is ready to make his commitment to Perry life-long. After careful planning, they created the perfect event. What could possibly go wrong? If only Cole didn’t ask the same question.
Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, Gay Fiction, Humor, M/M Romance
Buy Links: Amazon US
Enter Amanda’s Giveaway Here:
Tour Stops:
19-Jan
20-Jan
21-Jan
22-Jan
Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
23-Jan
26-Jan
27-Jan
28-Jan
29-Jan
30-Jan
This sounds so good! Can’t wait to read about Cole and Perry. :) Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for the interview and the giveaway!
I’m looking forward to meeting Cole and Perry!