BooksChatter: ℚ♫ Lies in the Darkness [1]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Amanda J. Clay to talk about Lies in the Darkness (11 May 2016, Whiskey Press, 305 pages), a Contemporary New Adult Novel.

"Utterly Brilliant! I can't get enough."- Sunshine Reviews "

"An emotional roller coasters. I could NOT put it down!" - The Recipe Fairy

Author Q&A | Synopsis | Teaser | About the Author | Giveaway & Tour Stops

A very warm welcome to Amanda Clay; welcome to BooksChatter!

As we love music, Amanda has shared with us her music playlist for Lies in the Darkness - enjoy!

What was the inspiration for Lies in the Darkness?

"I’m a big fan of the NA genre and find the college setting ripe for entertainment. However, I was finding that many of the books I was reading in this genre were light-hearted and/or more romance formulaic. Now there is certainly nothing wrong with that, but I wanted to reflect a darker side of the university experience.

In my experience, college was absolutely a lot of fun, but there was a grim side that people often overlook. College is a stressful time and it’s not all Animal House fun and games—all that partying and reckless abandon comes with a cost. And sometimes the consequences to ignorant debauchery are dire."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"Many of the events from Lies are compiled from things I’ve witnessed first-hand or stories that have been related to me by acquaintances. It’s certainly not autobiographical, but like any writer the events in your story will always carry a tinge of influence from your personal experiences and people you’ve known.

Sophie may not be an exact model of someone I know in real life, but some of her actions might reflect traits of someone I know. The same goes for myself—maybe a certain event didn’t happen to me exactly how it does in the book, but I’ve had experience in the way that character is feeling—say, the heartache after a breakup—and I can express that through the character."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Lies in the Darkness - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"To me, the cover represents the tone of the book. We have a young woman (presumably Sophie) in a smoky background, looking pensive and forlorn. The drink in her hands and the heels beside her suggest she’s had a long, tough night. Maybe she’s reflecting on poor decisions! But there is also something in it that suggests it won’t be the last such night.

I actually designed the cover myself."

Why should we read Lies in the Darkness and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"I think one of the big differences to compared to other New Adult books is it’s not a standard romance. There are romantic relationships, yes, and love is a present theme, but the story isn’t just about the arch of two people falling in love. It follows four POV characters, all intertwined but dealing with their own obstacles.

The book blends dark comedy with some heart-pulling realities of love and life and the consequences of messing it all up."

Can you tell us something quirky about Lies in the Darkness, its story and characters?

"Sure! The scene where the characters head down the river to “Bottle Beach,” is based on a real river beach from my own college town. On Labor Day, thousands of students would float down the river and land at the little beach, creating an absolute circus."

Who would you recommend Lies in the Darkness to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"I think this book will appeal to many audiences, from those currently attending university to those reflecting back on their own time. Even if you’ve never stepped foot on college grounds, if you can appreciate some dark wit, scandal and harsh realities, you will enjoy lies!

Mature teens may also enjoy it, but I HAVE to disclaim that there is a lot of adult content and language so reader discretion is advised! For all intents, it’s R-rated."

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I’ve currently written YA and NA contemporary, and I will continue creating stories in those worlds. But I would love to tackle many other genres. I’m a complete fantasy novel geek so I hope to explore that in the near future. I love a great adventure filled with intrigue and also the drama of everyday life. But regardless of the genre or setting, there’s always a love story! :-)"

What is your writing process?

"It changes daily, haha! I do have some routines though. I like to start my day early with a big ‘ol cup of coffee. Depending on how inspired I am feeling, I may jump right into some prose, or I may spend some time jotting down ideas.

Writing is fun, but to be successful you have to be disciplined, so I treat my day like any old workday (Must. Resist. Facebook).

Sometimes I have an idea for a book start-to-finish, and I can sit down and crank out an outline. Other times, a scene might come to mind and I’m not quite sure where it’s going to go. But I write it anyway.

I try to have structure in my process, but as any artist knows, you can’t force it. Sometimes the words just won’t come! When that happens, I find inspiration on Pinterest, listen to inspiring music, read or go for a run outside—just things to get my creativity flowing again. I always carry a little notebook in case the creativity gushes at inopportune times (which it always does!)"