I was lucky enough to get to do an interview with Amanda Havard the author of The Survivors
What part of the writing process is the easiest/hardest for you?
My brain is a never-ending source of ideas, usually ones I fall in love with. The hardest part is containing, organizing, and sorting through those ideas to get them on paper…then whittling them down once on paper.
Where did the idea for your book come from?
It came from a number of places. The supernatural back story came from a conversation I had with a friend about a desire to write a YA series that had historical and mythological roots. When thinking of a real event in history that had supernatural themes in it, the idea of the Salem Witch Trials was a natural choice. The character, Sadie, actually came to me two days before when I was driving to Tupelo, Mississippi to be in a wedding. Those who have read the book know that that’s the exact same setting in which we meet Sadie for the first time. When I was on the long, hot road to Tupelo, I let my mind wander (as it usually does—see the aforementioned brain-as-a-never-ending-source-of-ideas comment), and I came up with a character in a situation similar and yet different from mine. When I got the idea for The Survivors two days later, I knew that Sadie, my ill-at-ease bridesmaid was the natural choice.
Are any of the characters inspired by someone in real life?
None of my characters are modeled after anyone I know except me. I like to say that my characters are all parts of myself more than they are anyone else. This comment was made very often about Tennessee Williams, and it wasn’t always the most favorable of characterizations. But it’s as true for me as it likely was for him. And so favorable or not, I have to admit it.
How long did it take you to write your book?
27 days. I didn’t sleep much. Or eat. Or live. Or see the sunlight. Or…
Do you listen to music while you write, or do you prefer quiet? If you do listen to music while you write, do you have any sort of soundtrack for The Survivors?
I definitely listen to music. Music is actually my number one source of inspiration. Without it, this series would simply not exist. I make extensive playlists by which to write and then ultimately end up with a single song that fits each scene perfectly. These songs each have hundreds of plays in my iTunes because once I’ve found the song for a scene, I just repeat it incessantly while writing, editing, or even reading it. There’s nothing I’d love more than for people to do this too. It really creates the immersive story experience I hope for you to have.
Each book in The Survivors Series will have a soundtrack of both original music I wrote and other people’s songs that were instrumental in the creation of the series. You can go here and listen to or go here and download what the soundtrack for book one.
Describe your book in a tweet (140 characters or less).
The Survivors is the story of descendants from the Salem Witch Trials, of a life plagued by immortality, and of what it takes to Survive.
If you could jump in to any book and live there, which book would you choose?
Harry Potter. I would rock it out at Hogwarts—death, danger, muggles, magic, and all.
Join Amanda on tour!
