Featured Interview With Andi O’Connor
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m a Fantasy author based in Harrsiburg, PA where I was born and raised. Actually, I’m living in the house I grew up in with my husband, son, and four dogs (don’t ask) so my life’s pretty boring in regards to places I’ve lived, but with a 3-year-old and four dogs, it’s never dull!
I ambitious…or insane…depending on how you want to look at it and am writing and publishing three different series at the same time. I write mostly adult Fantasy delving on the darker side of things, but I do have a YA series, The Vaelinel Trilogy. I love Fantasy because it’s completely imaginary, yet it’s real. It’s relatable. It lets us escape but reminds us of our own experiences. I am extremely conscious of this when I write and find ways to incorporate controversial topics and issues in a way which may not be blatantly obvious to the reader.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I had a fascination with books ever since I can remember. My mom loved reading and imparted that on me since the day I was born. She’d always read to me, take me to the library every weekend, buy me books when she could. She was a teacher, and I’d go along with her to Scholastic sales, totally fascinated with the shelves of books as far as the eye could see. Because of her, I learned to appreciate books, not just for the words, but for everything they have to offer. For me, it’s not just a book or a story. It’s an entire sensory experience. The smells, the sounds, the feel. Books are a part of my life and my home. They’re welcoming, inviting, cozy, and intriguing. And all of that is imparted on family and friends the minute they step through the front door.
Though I’ve always been a reader, I didn’t begin writing until college. I got an idea for a story, started writing for fun, and it spiraled from there. I didn’t start with the mindset of getting published or becoming an author, but now it’s what I do full time. That music performance degree is really coming in handy! 😉
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
As you might expect, I read mostly fantasy, though I do enjoy mysteries, thrillers, suspense, and adventure novels as well. My favorite Fantasy authors to read – as well as those who inspire me – are Terry Brooks, Juliet Marillier, Mercedes Lackey, Terry Goodkind, Anne McCaffrey, Philip Pullman, Jonathan Stroud, and Ursula LeGuin. (I could go on, but I think I’ll stop there!) I love supporting fellow indie fantasy authors as well, and a few who I’ve thoroughly enjoyed are Scott Marlowe, Duncan M. Hamilton, and Byron A. Wells. If you’re a fan of fantasy, check them out! They’ve got some great stuff!
As far as non-fantasy, I love Clive Cussler, Andrew M. Greeley, Dean Koontz, Diane Mott Davidson, Douglas Preston, and Lincoln Child….to name a few.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book, Silevethiel, was released in December 2013 and is the first book in my YA series. It actually started as an idea for a short story and then exploded into a full novel. I started writing it during NaNoWriMo while I was waiting for a response from the publisher of my first book, The Lost Heir, which is subsequently part of why I have 3 series going on simultaneously!
It is YA, but many adults have enjoyed it, and it was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2013. It follows a typical delicate princess, who’s father is murdered. She is betrayed by the only other person she trusted and finds herself an exile. With the help of some unlikely friends, she must rise above the frail, dependent woman she was raised to be and find the strength and maturity to unite the four elf races and stand against the evil threatening to destroy the world.
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