My guest this month is debut author Amy Knupp. Her romance novel, Unexpected Complication is an April release from Harlequin Superromance, and received a 4-star rating from Romantic Times.
1. Tell us about Unexpected Complication, and what it was about this story that made you want to write it?
Unexpected Complication is a story of best friends, Carey Langford and Devin Colyer, whose attraction boils to the surface just after she learns she’s pregnant by a man Devin has a deep-rooted hatred for. The story actually came from another story I’d written…Carey and Devin were secondary characters in it, and they had this chemistry I couldn’t ignore. I had no idea what their story would be when I started, but the characters spoke to me and insisted they DID have a story.
2. How long were you writing before you got “The Call”? What was that like?
I was writing for three and a half years when I sold. The call itself wasn’t as surreal as a lot of people’s experience because the editor had tried to call me several times one morning and got no answer. She later told me she hated to leave a message but that she didn’t want me to see all these calls from Harlequin and wonder what the heck was going on. So she left a message saying to call her. When I got home and heard it, I was afraid to believe she wanted to buy my story. And I was also shaking and unable to speak coherently, so I called my husband at work instead of her. Then I called my critique partner, who finally made me return the editor’s call. By that time, I got her voicemail. So “the call” for me was actually half a day of phone tag. But believe me, it didn’t take away any of the sweetness.
3. Readers like to know where authors get their ideas. Where do you get your ideas, and is there a particular place or activity that inspires you when you’re brainstorming?
I’ll be honest…as far as storylines go, I’m not a big idea person. My ideas come to me in the form of characters. I love people-watching and imagining what their lives are like and I think this translates to my writing. I’ll come up with two half-formed characters and then I have to put them together to figure out what kind of sparks and problems could arise, what could keep them apart and what could bring them together. Coming up with a storyline is definitely the most difficult part of writing for me. As for inspiration, I have a classical CD that seems to put me in the mood to write…when I remember to put it on, the words flow easier. For brainstorming, the best thing I can do is get out of the house. Long drives inspire me (when my kids aren’t with me.)
4. Do you usually start with character or plot?
Characters, definitely.
5. Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Somewhere in the middle. I used to think I was a hardcore plotter and have even tried to make detailed scene cards before starting. It didn’t work for me. I like to map out my story (and have to now as I’m writing a book I sold on proposal) but sticking to that map seems to be impossible for me. No matter how much thought I put into the “plan” I always veer from it. I wouldn’t say I’m a pantser, because without that map, I get paralyzed and can’t go forward. My method doesn’t make a lot of sense. 
6. How many hours a day do you write, and where?
My work time varies with the day because I have a 4 year old and a 6 year old, and my husband now works out of the home as well. I help my husband with his business, but I don’t have a set amount of hours I work with him. My boys are in school a few mornings a week and I work on writing then. I also always work after they go to bed. The afternoons vary depending on the day and what’s going on. As for how many hours a day do I work…that’s a tough one, especially now that I’m also doing promotions for my first book. I’d guess probably anywhere from 4-8 hours a day. I wish I was writing that whole time, but there are a lot of other things to take care of too…things that are more time-consuming than I’d imagined.
7. Do you work outside the home or write full-time? Are you disciplined? What do you do when you’d rather be anywhere else instead of in front of the computer?
I’m kind of in between on this question. I don’t work outside the home but my day is very fragmented between the kids and helping my husband with his business. I’m still working on finding a balance. The good news is my husband works from home too, so we can split parenting duties. When I’m on deadline or rushing to get something done, he makes sure the boys stay out of my hair. I’m fairly disciplined in that I don’t let a day go by without working on my writing. Even if I’ve had a crazy day and haven’t sat down at my desk to work yet, I make a point of it once the kids go to bed. On days when I don’t want to write, I cut myself some slack. I’ll allow myself two games of web sudoku (yep, addicted…see a trend here? *g*) before starting. I’ll make deals with myself…like if I write one page, I get to check my email, two pages, I get another game. LOL Sometimes it’s scary what works. There are some days when I don’t feel well or I’m burnt out and I absolutely cannot open the file. And I allow myself a few of these. Mental health days. 
8. When you aren’t writing, what do you do for enjoyment?
Spend time with my family, read, play addictive computer games. I’ve also recently become addicted to American Idol. lol
9. If you could give aspiring authors one piece of advice other than to keep writing, what would it be?
I’ve gotten asked this a lot already and I think I give a different answer every time. *g* I’m going to say don’t be afraid to tear your own story inside out to really get to the heart of it. I’ve seen so many writers who whip through the first draft (or even go at it slowly) then go back and do an edit and they’re done. They become married to their story as is. And that’s okay to start with, but if the story doesn’t get anywhere with editors, I think it’s a really valuable skill to be able to strip it down and make deep changes to the story. The reason I feel so strongly about this is because I had to do this with Unexpected Complication. Several times. I rewrote it 2-3 times before sending the full to Harlequin. It was originally rejected and I rewrote it, changing the underlying conflict from page one. The editors looked at it again, and rejected it again, but this time they requested revisions. So I tore into it again and only then did they make an offer. (I had to do another thorough revision after I sold as well!) The story as I originally wrote it got nowhere, but by keeping after it, I finally sold it.
10. What’s next?
I’ve sold my second story to Superromance and it will be out in early 2007. The working title is The Boys Next Door, and here’s a brief summary: A tragic night twelve years ago changed two families forever. Now, the well-being of a young boy forces the families back into contact—dredging up guilt, blame, hatred…and an attraction a deadly accident couldn’t kill.
Thanks, Amy, for spending this time with us. Unexpected Complication is in bookstores now. Visit Amy’s website at www.amyknupp.com for more information.
Previous Months
November, 2005 - Suzanne McMinn
December, 2005 - Eve Silver
January, 2006 - Michelle Rowen
February, 2006 - Margaret Moore
March, 2006 - Julianne MacLean