Author Interview: Andrea Pearson

Our interview today is with Andrea Pearson, author of The Key of Kilenya. Tune in to the A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book BlogTalkRadio show on October 19th to hear a live interview wtih Andrea!

Jennifer: Where can we find out more about you and buy your book?



Andrea: I spend most my time on Facebook (Author Andrea Pearson) and Twitter (andreapearson2). You can find more information about my books on my website: http://kilenyaseries.com/


Jennifer: Tell us about your book.


Andrea: It's about a fourteen-year-old kid who has powers he doesn't know about. He discovers a link to a different world, and when he gets there, he finds that the inhabitants (good and bad) know everything about him. The good ones want his help in retrieving a stolen key—the Key of Kilenya—and the bad ones want his powers. It’s geared to late middle grade/early young adult readers, but even adults and older teens have enjoyed it.


Jennifer: What do you find most rewarding in writing a book?


Andrea: The feeling that comes to me when the words flow from my fingers.Seeing my characters come to life. Reading over something I'd written a year earlier, and getting giggles over things that were funny back then and still are funny now. :-) It's really neat. I'm still pretty new to it all.


Jennifer: What other projects do you have coming up?


Andrea: I’m working on book three (Gehrok Fortress) of the Kilenya Series. It should be released late 2011/early 2012.


Jennifer: What have you done to develop your writing craft?


Andrea: I spend a lot of time researching on the internet and reading books. I’ve attended a few writer’s conferences, but have found that most of the information there is also available online, so I don’t do that much anymore. I also love getting into writing discussions with other authors.This helps a great deal.


Jennifer: Tell us a little about your non-writing life. Family? Pets? Hobbies?


Andrea: I have five brothers and one sister. It was chaotic in my parents’ home, yes, but we all loved it and are still really close. I’m married (no children yet—we’ve only been married a few months) and have the world’s best husband. Ever. No competition. :-) I don’t have any pets now, though if I did, I’d probably have another beta fish or a canary. And my hobbies? Art! I strongly lean toward the artsy side. Here, actually, readers can watch a video of me showing my hobbies and interests:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTP0r-rW82s


Jennifer: Is your family supportive of your writing?


Andrea: Yes. Incredibly. My parents and siblings have been there with me through all of the disappointments and triumphs. My husband and in-laws are also very supportive. I feel very blessed and lucky to have such a great support structure.


Jennifer: When and why did you decide to become a writer?

Andrea: While I was serving a mission for my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Two of my only outlets for expressing emotions were my journal and writing home to my family. I discovered a love for words and their meanings, especially while studying the Spanish language. :-)


Jennifer: Who is your favorite author of all time, and why?


Andrea: I know he's not in my writing "genre," but Michael Crichton has been one of my favorite authors for a long time. He really knew how to grip his readers—something most writers wish they could do, but many fall just short. And I love logical, scientific type books—he excels at that.

Next, J.K. Rowling, for starting at the bottom of the totem pole and making it so incredibly high up, maintaining humility through it all. I can't stand arrogant authors. :-)


Jennifer: If you could choose your last meal, what would it be?

Andrea: Dinner at the Olive Garden with my hubby. :-) I know, not terribly imaginative, but their bread sticks and soups are amazing!