An Interview with Mandy

I've been trying to think how best to describe Mandy. Well, for a start she's very American. Once you get used to that small but significant fact she's easy to describe. Mandy is clever and funny and one of the most genuinely kind people I know. She's written a trilogy of supernatural adventure stories and is currently working on an amazing thriller which has all the hallmarks of being an international bestseller.

I recently got her to talk a little about herself and her writing. So sit back and enjoy my interview with my lovely American friend, Mandy Baker.

Questions About Writing

Andrew- What inspired you to become a writer? Mandy- I took a creative writing class in Jr. High and fell in love with it.

A- How long have you been writing for? M- I’ve been writing on and off since that first class in Jr. High. I just never stopped really.

A- When did you first consider yourself a writer? M- I would say I first really considered myself a writer when I finished my first book. It was around that time that I began pursuing work as a freelance writer as well.

A- In your opinion, what are the most important elements of good writing? M- Portraying emotion in a realistic way, making your characters relatable, and the ability to capture a scene in words.

A- How do you handle writer's block? M- I walk away and focus on something else for a while until it passes.

A- What is the most difficult part of writing for you? M- At times it is literally the sitting down and writing. If I’m not feeling inspired, it’s like pulling teeth to get me to write! Other times, as Andrew can attest to, it’s getting all the words in the sentences! My brain works faster than my fingers, and that sometimes makes me leave things out.

A- How do you develop your plot and characters? M- To be honest, I make it all up as I go. I’ve never written a character profile, or outlined a plot before. I just get inspired by one little thing and just write. All of the development just happens as I go along, then I tweak it later.

Personal Questions

Andrew- What's your favorite food? Mandy- Sushi! I could eat sushi all the time, any time!

A- Who is your hero? M- My dad. We’ve had ups and downs, but through it all he has always been there to support me when I needed him.

A- What's your favorite swear word? M- Fuck! It’s so versatile and really gets the point across when needed!

A- If you could invite one person to dinner, who would it be? And what would you cook? M- Hmmm…. Dead or alive? If we are talking anyone ever, then it would be Ernest Hemingway. His work has really inspired and influenced my own writing over the years. He lived a fascinating life and I would love to have a meal and a drink and just talk to him.

A- If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be? M- Adorable, clever, witty (and modest obviously)

A- What is your least favorite word? M- I’m not a huge fan of the word can’t. I don’t allow myself to say I can’t do something. And if someone else tells me I can’t, it makes me work harder to prove them wrong

A- If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? M- England… Or Paris

A- Tell us one random fact about you that we might be surprised by. M- I have three college degrees (AA, BA, & MA).

Book Questions

Andrew- What is the title of your first book? Mandy- The Curse

A- Is it part of a series? M- Yes. It’s the first book of my Alex and Liz Novels

A- If it was made into a movie, what celebrities would play the main characters? M- Alex O’Laughlin as Alex, Mila Kunis as Liz, and David Tennant as Bob

A- Can you give us a bit about it? M- Alex, Liz, and Bob are archaeologists who unknowingly activate an ancient curse, causing Liz to disappear. It is up to Alex and Bob to solve the mystery of the curse to bring her back before she is lost forever.

A- Was there anything that inspired the plot? M- It started with a dream I had, that led to a short story for a class assignment, and then eventually to the novel.

A- What are you currently working on? M- I am working on a project that will be my fourth novel. It is not a part of the same series, and is completely different from anything I’ve written before.

A- What genre are your books? M- The Alex and Liz Novels are YA Adventure books.

A- Is there anything else you would like readers to know about your writing? M- I loved writing the Alex and Liz novels. But, I am so excited about this new book and how different it is from what I’ve done before!