1. When did you
decide you wanted to be an author?
I’ve always loved telling stories. I tried to write my
first novel when I was twelve years old, but it wasn’t until after a mission,
marriage, two moves, four children, and finally earning my degree that I
decided I wanted to be an author. My younger sister encouraged me to
participate in National Novel Writing Month in 2013, and the rest is history.
2. Who has influenced
your writing the most?
I don’t know that any one writer has influenced me “the
most.” Everything I’ve read has influenced me in some way. Growing up, I read a
lot of classics—heavy on the Jane Austen. But I also dabbled in science
fiction. I loved Isaac Asimov. Later, I got into thrillers. Dan Brown is one of
my favorites. If you swirl all of that together, you get a techno-thriller
with romantic elements. Poof.
3. What is your
favorite part of the writing process and why?
This is going to sound crazy, but I love the re-writing
phase. I’m a pantser, so I usually have a lot of weeding to do in my
garden. I love taking the mess I’ve created and turning it into something
beautiful.
4. What is your
favorite book?
I love Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. For me, it’s
perfectly paced and an amazing blend of mystery and romance. Brontë’s
characters are relatable, and she understand how to build tension.
5. What attributes do
you most give your characters and why?
I tend to give my characters “flaws” that I wish I
had. The main character in Eruption and Reclamation is a little bit OCD.
Her obsessions stem from something that happened in the past that she can’t
remember. Sometimes I wish that the skeletons in my closet would motivate me to
clean instead of eat obsessively.
In my current work in progress, the main character passes
quick judgement on others. This isn’t an attribute I admire. It’s
something I’m trying to overcome along with my main character.
6. What helps you be
a better writer?
Critical feedback is key to becoming a better writer.
Whether I’m giving it or receiving it, feedback forces my creative brain to be
more analytical. You have to be able to think as both a writer and a reader.
7. What are your ten
most favorite things?
In no particular order:
Vacations with my family
The smell of rain
Beaches
Snapdragons
Black and white movies
Reading
Creamed spinach (no, seriously it’s delicious)
Drinking water
Snuggling my kids and my dog
Date night with my husband
8. You have two
techno-thrillers published, tell us about your most interesting character in
each book?
I love Jace’s dad in Eruption. He’s a presence looming in
the background from the beginning, but we don’t understand his full role in the
mystery until near the end. He’s a very three-dimensional character to me
and his relationship with Jace is based on my relationship with my own father.
In Reclamation, Mirlande is an interesting character.
Because of the time travel, we have to wonder about her existence before and
after her interaction with Jace. In a lot of ways, I think she is what Jace
wants to be: a fearless, bold fighter.
9. Can you tell us
why the first page of any story is so important?
Every page of a story is important, but the first page is
paramount. It should tell the reader exactly what to expect. It makes
promises that then must be delivered on. Many writers stress about creating
something that is new or different when really the reader is just looking for
something that is exciting and delivers as expected.
10. Do you have any advice for
aspiring writers?
Keep reading and keep writing. There’s really no
other way to get to where you want to go.
Author Bio:
Adrienne Quintana is the author of Eruption as well as several
children’s books. When she isn't writing, Adrienne enjoys running, hiking, and
matchmaking (Are you single? She probably knows someone perfect for you.) She
lives in Arizona with her husband and four children, who give her love,
support, and plenty of good material for Instagram.
