Aspiring Author Thursday: Introducing Angie Cothran

I'm excited to have Angie with me here today. She is one of the nicest bloggers I've met. She's always stopping by my blog and I see her comments on so many others. She is awesome! And tons of fun! :) Anyway, check out her amazing blog, here.

When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

I came to writing later than a lot of people. I’ve always loved books since I first learned to read, but I never once thought about writing. In college I studied History and Interior Design, but I took Shakespeare and Advanced English Lit for fun. It seems funny now, looking back I can see I always had a passion for books. About five years ago I started wondering if I could write a book—and it turns out I can :)

Shakespeare and Advanced English Lit for FUN? You are WAY smarter than me! lol

Do you have a writing schedule, or do you just sit down whenever you get a spare moment?

I’m not a very scheduled person. I’m lucky enough to get to stay home with my kids, so I have large chunks of day that I can use to write. But I am a night owl and I write every night when everyone is in bed.

I'm not very scheduled either. Writing at night or early in the morning are the only times I can find the time to write. I'm sure it will change someday. ;)

Could you tell us a little about yourself? Random facts? Hidden talents?

Random fact: In 1994 I was Idaho’s Jr. Miss and I paid for college with the money I won. Because I had to be in front of people and talk all the time I learned public speaking. I can speak in front of a group without feeling nervous at all.
Hidden talent: If you give me a piece of paper I can cut out anything you want—elephants, people, cars, insects—you name it, I can make it with paper. My kids think this is a fun talent.

LOL! That's awesome about the hidden talent! And I freeze up when I'm supposed to speak in front of people. I don't know if I could handle it if I ever get published! lol You can teach me. :)

If you were stranded on a desert island, what is one thing you couldn't live without? (Besides your family and a laptop of course.)

If I had my family and my laptop the only things I would need are books and chocolate. I know a Kindle would be convenient, but I want real books that I can hold and smell. And if I’m reading I need chocolate. I heard author Jessica Day-George say that every book should come with chocolate.

Mmmmm... chocolate...

What is one book you could read over and over and over?

I reread books all the time. I buy almost every book I read, because I plan on rereading them. But I think the Harry Potter series are books I could reread no matter my mood. I think I’ve reread every book four or five times.

I love Harry Potter. I don't think I'll ever get tired of that series.

What book are you dying to read this year? 

I have a few:
Crossed by Ally Condie
Inheritance by Christopher Paloni
The Next Door Boys by Jolene Perry
The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan—Yay for Christmas :)

I have all of those on my list! So excited for Inheritance! Finally!

What genre do you write and why?

I write YA, but I do dabble in MG and Chick Lit. If I have an idea that I like, I write it down and not really worry about what genre it is.

That's awesome. I need to try my hand at MG. I'd love to do a fun series. We'll see, right? :)

Do you have any writing rituals? Music, silence, eating, etc.

I can write anytime (except early morning) and anywhere, so I don’t have a ton of rituals, but one thing I always do is pray before I write. It isn’t like I think I’m writing anything spiritual at all, it is just that I feel like my creativity is blocked if I don’t. I bet I’m not the only writer who does this :)

I don't know why I haven't thought of doing that... That is so great.

Where do you come up with your ideas? Dreams, while driving, etc?

I get ideas EVERYWHERE—but my best ideas come from nowhere while I’m writing. I try and plot through a problem and only give up in frustration. Then I write with no idea where I’m going and I get the best ideas. Go figure!

You sound like me. ;)

Any advice for other aspiring authors? 

I did an interview with the lovely Abby Fowers a few weeks ago and she asked me this same question.
1) Write—Write every day. The more you do it the better you get.
2) Read—Find the time to read. You can’t be a great writer without having a passion for books.
3) Learn—However you want to do it: books, classes, conferences. Learn as much as you can about the craft of writing.
4) Listen—Find people you trust and listen to what they say about your writing. Be humble enough to take their advice.
5) Be Brave—One of my favorite quotes reads, “Do one thing every day that scares you.”- Eleanor Roosevelt. There is no way you can live your passion if you worry about failing.

GREAT advice. Really. Love this.

Random Writing Question: If your main character could go anywhere in the world, where would he/she go and why?

I had to think a little bit about this question. My MC, Jocelyn is touched by tragedy. Her family has been murdered by her betrothed, and now she is running from him. I think if she was safe and free to go anywhere, she would go home. Even though her family is gone, home has a strong emotional draw for her. It is a place where she was last happiest.

How tragic and happy at the same time! If that's possible. :) I can't wait to read your book someday! And thank you so much for being here! :D