Thursday, March 1, 2012

Amber Argyle Author Interview


Photo Content from Amber Argyle

AMBER ARGYLE grew up with three brothers on a cattle ranch in the Rocky Mountains. She spent hours riding horses, roaming the mountains, and playing in her family’s creepy barn. This environment fueled her imagination for high fantasy.

She has worked as a short order cook, janitor, and staff member in a mental institution. All of which has given her great insight into the human condition and has made for some unique characters.

She received her bachelor’s degree in English and Physical Education from Utah State University.

She currently resides in Utah with her husband and three small children.

Her debut novel,
Witch Song, came out Sept 1st 2011 by Rhemalda Publishing.

        


What’s one thing that readers would be surprised to find out?
I’m writing a sequel to Witch Song, called Witch Born. It should be out this fall.

Also, I dislocated a girl’s shoulder this week. BUT I DIDN’T MEAN TO! We were just playing basketball and both went up for the rebound. I’m not even sure how it exactly happened.

What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?
Chocolate. Lots of it.

Just kidding. Too much chocolate leads to muffin top, which has never made me happy. ;)

Writers have to find a way to balance what, for most of us, is a second job. The key is prioritization, and you can’t sacrifice the essential for the frivolous. It also helps to block out certain times. From 9-10 every MWF, I work out. I do housework/kids until 1 every day (and if I don’t get all the housework done, it simply doesn’t get done). From 1—3:40, I’m a writer. From 4 on, I’m a Mommy/cook/private tutor/chauffer. I also try to fit in at least one marketing event a month (be it a signing, school visit, conference, etc). More than that and I feel too stressed and miss my kids too much.

Basically, that means my house is never as clean as I’d like, I don’t cook elaborate meals, or watch TV. Sometimes I don’t even change out of my yoga pants.

When/how did you realize you had a creative dream or calling to fulfill?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a writer. But I was busy with other dreams until after college. I had my second son, who cried 16 hours a day. Writing literally saved my sanity, and I realized I had a natural talent for it. It took 5 years and 6 manuscripts before I finally found a publisher.

For those who are unfamiliar with your series; Witch Song, how would you introduce it?
In Witch Song, Witches control nature by singing to call in storms, shifting the seasons, and growing plants. But all the Witches have been captured by one of their own. Shy, untrained Brusenna is the only remaining free Witch, but can she’ll have to overcome her lack of training and self esteem to become what the world needs.

If you could introduce Brusenna to any character from another book, who would it be and why?
Harry Potter. I’d love to hear a debate between the two of them over wands versus singing to create magic, etc, and compare notes on growing up being bullied, having your arch nemesis kill your family, etc.

You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?
Love yourself. Respect yourself. Because if you don’t, no one else will.

List 3 of your all time favorite books?
Hunger Games, The Hollow Kingdom, and Eon.

What is your most memorable travel experience?
My high school trip to Washington DC.

What’s the worst job you’ve had?
That’s a toss up between working at the mental institution and flipping burgers.


The world is changing.

Once, Witch Song controlled everything from the winds to the shifting of the seasons. But not anymore. All the Witches are gone, taken captive by a traitor. All but Brusenna. As the echo of their songs fade, the traitor grows stronger. Now she is coming for Brusenna. Her guardian has sworn to protect her, but even he can't stop the Dark Witch. Somehow, Brusenna has to succeed where every other Witch has failed. Find the traitor. Fight her. Defeat her.

Because if Brusenna doesn't, there won't be anything left to save.


Praise for WITCH SONG

In WITCH SONG, Amber Argyle makes a riveting debut, creating a fresh new world full of wonder, peril, and splendor. I found WITCH SONG to be positively engrossing from the first page to the last. I'm convinced that this is just the first book in what will be a long and prosperous career! David Farland, New York Times Bestselling Author



Amber Argyle’s debut novel, Witch Song, is an interesting look into the secret world of witches. Spells, magic, and hexes are all here. The world that Argyle created for these remarkable witches are so vivid and darkly beautiful. Filled with characters that are likable, it’s a formula that will surely hook readers from the first page.

The writing style that Argyle presents in this novel is simply stunning. Whether it is people, events or the setting, she does not leave out any description. The story moved along brilliantly and left no space in between. I love the twist that Argyle incorporated with the witch culture: Spells are casted by singing it. The emotions drawn by the characters are so vibrant that you feel every sensation they go through.

We are treated with a grand adventure with a highly spirited protagonist named Brusenna (Senna), who goes against a nearly unbeatable powerful witch. Along the way, we are introduced to the most fascinating characters. Each of them carried their own personality, whether its liked or not, it produced a great cast of memorable people.

I honestly enjoyed every page of this charming tale. A delight read for anyone who loves to read about the paranormal. It satisfies your thirst for out-of-this-world escapades with characters who continually serves up an endless amount of fun.

You can purchase Witch Song at these following Retailers:
      

And now, The Giveaways.
Thank you AMBER ARGYLE for making this giveaway possible.
1 Winner will receive one Copy of Witch Song & one Signed Bookmark by Amber Argyle.
3 Winners will receive one Signed Bookmark by Amber Argyle.
jbnpastinterviews

42 comments:

  1. I went to Yellowstone and saw many amazing things :)

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  2. oooh well certainly when I went to the US...like over 10 years ago!! Will never forget how I didn't want to come back here T_T

    Jean! thanks so much for the review!! I had been wanting to read a review from someone I knew and finally!! YOU DID!! I love that Amber would like to introduce Senna to Harry!!! lol singing instead of wands?? count me in PLEASE!!

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  3. in high school going to mexico for 2 weeks with about 13 girls...so much fun traveling all over...and three days at the end in Cancun!

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  4. My holidays in Morocco! unforgettable ^^

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  5. A trip to the Magic Kingdom with my 3 year old daughter!!

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  6. Sorry, but can I ask you something? Do you post giveaway winner on blog or just send them mail or... I know I didn't win but I'm just curious. :D (i mean some last giveaways) Please answer!

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  7. anyway for this giveaway:
    I think my trip to London. I live in Poland and it was my first time to travel so far away - It was little culture shock, and it was so... Other. :)

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  8. My most memorable travel experience would be when I was 13 years old. My sister and I went to Detroit for an Eminem concert. It was pretty awesome! She won tickets from a radio station and brought me along.
    I remember when we were driving over the bridge over Lake Michigan, this one guy on the bus was saying how the bus was going to crash or something while we were on the bridge and he scared the hell out of me! That bridge is very LONG!!! lol But yea, that's my most memorable travel experience!

    Now onto the interview and giveaway.... amazing!! As always! ;)

    Thank you so much for this Jean and Amber!!

    GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!

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  9. Looks amazing, Jean! Thanks!
    Amber

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  10. When I went to France as an Au Pair for a year. I minded 4 small girls and it was quite the experience.

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  11. Umm.....it has to be when I went to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 2005. I'm a Formula 1 fanatic and it was amazing. I even bumped into one of the drivers and followed Michael Schumachers limo to the local McDonalds haha!

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  12. First, thanks for this contest!! I recently read Witch Song about a month ago, and LOVED it! I would love a signed copy. I was excited to find out a few days ago that she is working on a second book (I thought it was a stand alone novel).

    Most memorable trip experience would probably be a tie between a trip to California and New York. I'm from the South, so both were far from home for me. I absolutely loved both of them though.

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  13. My most memorable was probably Hawaii on my own. I've been to a lot of cool places, but not a lot by myself. It was amazing!

    Great giveaway!

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  14. When I went to Cancun! It had the clearest water ive ever seen! Plus i got to snorkel with tropical fishs! XD

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  15. Moving across the country from Utah to Southern Alabama was a pretty big trip. But, now I am close to the gulf of Mexico with its crystal blue water, and white sandy beaches. Those are very fun to visit.

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  16. Hi Disincentive, Winners are announced through Rafflecopter here in my blog followed by a personal email from me. If you entered to any of my giveaways, it will be announced there.

    Thanks,
    Jean

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  17. My trip for USA.. It´s first travel of my life and the parks in Orlando are so nice!!! The experience was awesome....

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  18. My most memorable travel experience was my trip to Italy, the year I was a nanny! I was 18, and the family I worked for took me on their vacation, all expenses paid. I got to see & do things I'll probably never have a chance to experience again! Thanks for the giveaway--this book sounds fabulous!

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  19. Mine would be going to Queensland (Australia) when I was 12. Had a blast at Movie World, and met some new friends. I'd LOVE to go back up there one day with my little family. :)

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  20. My most memorable travel was driving from Texas to Utah in the middle of the night with a tiny baby and having a tire blow out in the middle of no where.

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  21. My most memorable traveling experience is when me and my friends went to Europe. It was so pretty I would love to go back there again!

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  22. Never left Jamaica but I remember going to Calabash. It was a fantastic event for lovers of literature.

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  23. When I went to USA, my aunt and uncle spoiled me so much! It was fantastic! I went to Malibu, San Diego, Las Vegas, San Francisco!! :D The best 2 months of my life! (ileana on RF)

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  24. Monkeys jumping on my dads car at Six Flags NJ Jean BookNerd

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  25. when i went to sliver dollar city with my family

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  26. England for my college graduation present!

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  27. Two years ago when I went to Cuba and went horse back riding on the beach! <3
    Thank you for another rockin giveaway!!

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  28. Thank you for taking the time to do this giveaway :) My most memorable travel memory is learning how to drive, on the wrong side of the road, in Dublin, Ireland. Definitely an interesting experience :)

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  29. My most memorable travel experience had to be when we had traveled and live in Salt Lake City, Utah for awhile. That place was seriously beautiful and enchanting! That was actually the city that I first starting writing in :) Oh and we went to a theme park there one day and I rode my first roller coaster! haha

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  30. I went to Kansas to see my nephew who had just been born. :) It was beautiful. I had a great time and I loved seeing my sister

    Shaina
    shaina333@comcast.net

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  31. My most memorable travel experience was my honeymoon in Maui!

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  32. I went to Italy on my 18th birthday. It was an amazing doze of hot guys, yummy food, great fashion and art art art everywhere. :)

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  33. My most memorable travel experience was last summer. My boyfriend and I went to Oregon, it was only my second time on a plane. Also, it is so beautiful in Oregon. Thanks for the contest.

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  34. My most memorable would probably be when we went to Maine as a family :) It was so much fun .

    Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  35. My most memorable would be the very first time I went to Salem Mass. It was suppose to be our honeymoon but we could not afford it, so we went 2 years later, with our little guy in tow, we had such a great time, it was just such a intriguing place, I can't wait to go again!

    Thanks for this amazing giveaway!

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  36. My most memorable moment would have been when I went to Kentucky for the hubbys graduation from bootcamp. It was a wonderful time :)

    Thanks Jean!

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  37. Thank you for this wonderful giveaway! My most memorable travel experience was me and my hubby flying for the first time in a passenger plane when we went away for a week on our honeymoon. It was exciting and unforgettable!! :D

    Angie Edwards

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  38. Reading on my private deck on a cruise with my family!:D

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  39. When I went on a Holiday to Australia I had the time of my life :)

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  40. My honeymoon which was spent driving through various national parks in Idaho and Wyoming. As non-extravagant as it was, I absolutely loved it!

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  41. Thanks for the giveaway! :).
    Now, most memorable travel experience, personally my favourite place to go is Greece.
    I went to Kos with two friends for my 18th birthday, a nice chilled out holiday, I loved it.
    I've also been to Cyprus five times and love it there, though its been years since I was last there..

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  42. We don't travel too much but every other year we go to Hilton Head and one year we snuck down to Savannah to go on the ghost walk, which was fun

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