We managed to pin Amanda down and get her to share a selection of her top 3 favourites just for you!
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You’re home alone, there’s a fire! Top 3 things you’d grab and save from the fire.
First my birds! I have a budgie with an amazing vocabulary, and a singing canary, so they’d be the first out of the house. Then I’d probably grab my daughter’s favourite stuffed dragon and every book and photo album I could fit in my arms.
Top 3 Favourite authors (dead or alive) and why
Neil Gaiman, Patrick Ness, and Rainer Maria Rilke. For Neil Gaiman and Patrick Ness, I love their work so much. They aren’t afraid to go into the dark places and confront what they might find there. Their books are edgy and unpredictable, and that’s why I love them so much. Rainer Maria Rilke is my favourite poet. His observations on life and love and the eloquent way he describes them resonates with me. Letters to a Young Poet especially speaks to those who want to be writers, and so he was there for me when I was starting out.
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Top 3 Favourite snacks while writing and why
Ooh, this is an easy one! Japanese milk tea, Pritz (pretzel sticks), and cream horns (cream-filled pastries). Each of these brings back strong memories of living in Japan, which in turn helps me write all the descriptions of life in Shizuoka. In fact, I’m hesitant to write if I don’t have a glass of my milk tea!
Top 3 Favourite books that inspired you to write and why
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Growing up, one of my favourite books was Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander. I loved all of the Prydain Chronicles, but this one in particular spoke to me. It was about finding your place in life, and I loved how it treated me, the reader, with respect. It was a kids’ book but it didn’t talk down to me.
The Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness was also a huge inspiration. I’d never read a book that was willing to let anything happen, whose pages couldn’t be trusted to necessarily bring you out of the danger. I had to keep reading, not sure what might happen—anything could! There was such an energy to those books, and such depth to all the characters, and so this series is a huge inspiration to me.
My other favourite book growing up was Mort by Terry Pratchett. I love how Pratchett is hilarious, and yet makes you question life and ponder deep thoughts throughout the book. Mort was especially moving for me, since it dealt with issues like time and mortality.
Sorry, I’m going to cheat and add the Oz books. Ozma of Oz was the first novel I ever read, and I knew then I wanted to be a writer.
Top 3 favourite songs to listen to while writing and why
They have to be instrumentals or I get distracted. I love writing to the soundtracks from Japanese dramas and video games. They really help me set the mood. In particular, I like the Hana Yori Dango soundtrack, Maou, and Final Fantasy songs. Also, BigBang’s Monster sets the mood and I always listen to it right before I work on The Paper Gods.
Top 3 favourite techniques to overcome writers block and why
The best is to step away. I think of my writing power as a well. When it’s full, I write and write. Eventually it drains, and then the well is empty. There’s nothing left. I have to step back and let the well fill up again. I can only see so far into my story’s future. At some point I need to wait until the story chooses to show me what will happen next.
My second strategy is to write through it. Sometimes I’m really just stuck because I’m tired. It’s the middle of the book and I want instead to follow that shiny new idea. The only way out is to keep going, one sentence after another, until I’m out of that tough patch. I can always come back and revise!
My third technique is to try something new. Take the story a different way. My characters often rebel and have their own ideas, and so I’ll follow them. Usually if it’s the wrong direction, I’ll feel that pretty early on and delete the idea, but at least it gets the thought of it out of my head, and then I can try something else.
Top 3 musicians/bands/groups and why
Arashi for life! I love the Japanese band Arashi. Their lyrics are very uplifting and encouraging, and they’ve been there for some tough times in my life. They never fail to cheer me up!
Secondly, Enya. I’ve been a fan since I was very little. Her music is so ethereal and it makes me feel as if I’m in another world.
Third is a tie between BigBang and B2ST. You can never have too much KPop!
Top 3 favourite movies of all time and why
The Neverending Story because luck dragon.
My other favourite movie is an obscure kids’ movie called Mio in the Land of Faraway (based on the book by Astrid Lindgren). I could never get enough of the beautiful rich fantasy world it created.
And my other fav movie is Kimi Ni Shika Kikoenai (Only You Can Hear Me). It always makes me cry. Like, ugly cry.
Top 3 favourite animated movies and why
Beauty and the Beast, because what’s not to love about beast-princes locked in enchanted castles?
I also loved Sleeping Beauty growing up. There’s so much charm in those old fairy tales.
And lastly–this isn’t really a movie, but we’ve established I’m a cheater—Disney’s Gargoyles TV series. That show is awesomesauce. Not only is it drenched in mythology and Shakespearean lore, but monsters living in the city? It was where I fell in love with the Urban Fantasy and Paranormal genres.
Top 3 favourite movie moments and why
The ending of Moulin Rouge. I don’t want to spoil it, but I love the kind of dramatic irony that kicks you in the teeth. Angst and suffering!
And I love the moment at the end of The Truman Show, when the boat reaches…well, again, don’t want to spoil it.
My favourite movie moment of all time is at the end of The Wizard of OZ, when the Tinman says “Now I know I have a heart, because it’s breaking.” Oh man, I ugly cry every time.
Top 3 favourite actors/actresses and why
I watch way more Japanese dramas and movies than I do western ones, and I have to admit, I really don’t know western celebrities very well! But I do really like Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He seems like a really nice guy and I’ve always found his acting really authentic.
I also love Jennifer Lawrence, again because she has a really down-to-earth attitude and seems genuinely nice.
My favourite Japanese actor is Matsumoto Jun. Besides being a talented singer (and being freaking gorgeous), a lot of his performances have moved me to tears, particularly in the drama Smile.
Top 3 favourite gadgets and why
Yeah, I’m one of those people who can’t live without her phone. I just got a smartphone last year and it saves me all the time. I can look up bus routes, tweet, and read books even if I forgot to bring one. It also makes a sweet English-Japanese dictionary and translator when I need a word I don’t know.
I also have a cute little pink mp3 that’s great. How else could I scare my neighbours singing Japanese pop songs at the top of my lungs?
And lastly, I love the GPS, because I enjoy not getting lost all the time. :)
Top 3 favourite dream destinations and why
Well, Japan, even though I’ve been many times. There are so many parts of Japan I still want to visit—Okinawa, Fukuoka, Hokkaido. I hope I’ll have the chance to visit all of these in the future.
I would also love to go to Egypt. I’m an archaeologist by training, so I’d like to go see all the ruins that I studied in school.
And along those lines, I want to go to Pompeii and wander through the streets of the city that the volcano left trapped in time. I think we have a tendency to look back with a feeling that we’ve progressed and changed from the old times, and while we have, I think we have far more in common with the people of the past than we realize. It’s seeing what we have in common—family, friends, struggles, achievements, dreams—that unites us as human.
Want to find out more? Follow Amanda on twitter
Or as an added bonus, we're giving you the chance to win 3 copies of INK! All you need is to fill out the below!
Good luck and happy reading!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Competition closes Sunday 14th July. UK only.
London, I've always dreamed of going there :)
ReplyDeleteI would move to Florida just for the sun and theme parks! :)
ReplyDeleteI totally want to move to Scotland...so many castles!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to move to California or London because I definitely need a change of setting!
ReplyDelete-Jon from Scott Reads It!
either London(so much history, Madam Tussads, London Eye, Leavesden Studios) or Japan (for its rich culture , the anime).... Definitely top on my list.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to go to Shreveport,California,New York or Saint Petersburg.
ReplyDeleteback to cape Town, South Africa as thats were I am from. love the food, sea , sun and beautiful views
ReplyDeleteI would move to Canada or Alaska purely for the wildlife. xD
ReplyDeleteDefinitely New York, France or Rome. There's a lot of great history in Europe and I'd love to learn it. NY is where I want to study, though.
ReplyDeleteNew York. I don't know why, that city just calls me...
ReplyDeleteParis! :)
ReplyDeleteProbably California because it's hot and beautiful
ReplyDeleteIf I had to move anywhere else in the world it would be Scotland, hands down. In the Highlands - absolutely stunning place and I love rain so I wouldn't have a problem with "bad" weather!
ReplyDeleteI would pick Rome. I went there three years ago and it was the most beautiful place ever.
ReplyDeleteThat would be either Prague which is the most interesting city I've ever been to or New York, my dream city
ReplyDeleteZakynthos, Greece. Beautiful and historic!
ReplyDeleteI'd move to South Korea :-)
ReplyDeleteAustralia :)
ReplyDeleteAustralia or South Korea.I am fond of learning about new cultures.
ReplyDeleteFirst choice would be London, I visit a few times a year and love it (South Korea and Japan come a close 2nd and 3rd though!)
ReplyDeleteI would go to the US. My reason is that i have a lot of friends over there in a few different states and i would like to spend more time with them. There are also more opportunities to go to book signings and band gigs over there :)
ReplyDeleteI'd LOVE to live in England somewhere, maybe London!
ReplyDeleteI was born in Florida, raised in Michigan and currently live in Puerto Rico. But given the chance to live anywhere, I think I'd have to choose Italy. It's always been a dream of mine.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to participate.
I had to participate with my email because for some reason, it wasn't allowing me to sign in with FB.
ReplyDeleteIf I could move anywhere in the world it would be to somewhere where it is sunny all day, but not too hot!
ReplyDeleteI love Beauty and the Beast too! :) And Taran Wanderer as well when I was a kid! :) If I could, I'd move to the Gold Coast in Australia. I seriously LOVE it there!
ReplyDeleteuououououo! I participate. I want to read this book now.
ReplyDeleteIs the giveaway open to international readers? Anyway, I think Singapore's not a bad place to live in! Our security is amazing so I can out after midnight and it's still safe. :) I wouldn't mind living in Switzerland or Sweden or Norway or in the French Alps for an extended period of time though. :)
ReplyDeleteOh! Didn't see the UK only. I haven't entered the Raffle yet tho! But yeah I'd love to live in those countries. :)
DeleteThere are so many places i would love to visit, but if i had to move omewhere i would probably chool America or Australia. Possibly florida or California to be more precise. Just love the idea of life out there. And closer to Disneyworld!
ReplyDeletei'd choose devon in uk. I always loved going there as a kid.
ReplyDelete20 years ago I moved from New Zealand to England - best days work I ever did. But given a choice now, I would love to visit somewhere hotter than here but only for a short while. Love the four seasons although four in one day doesn't thrill me!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to go to New York :)
ReplyDeleteMy hubby is from Ecuador and I have visited many times, I have fallen in love with the place!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to live in San Francisco for a while. Spent two days on holiday there a couple of years ago and felt like there was so much more to see.
ReplyDeletei would like to move to London!!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a tough question. Possibly Canada, I think, because it's so beautiful and there are so many facets to the country.
ReplyDeleteThink I'd want to live in Italy there's just so much history and the food is amazing
ReplyDeleteI would love to live I the town of Hay-On Wye .Known in the book world as the town of books. Over 38 bookstores in this little town nestled in the welsh hills. Sigh...some day...
ReplyDeleteEngland :)) they say they have beautiful scenery :))
ReplyDeleteAmerica. I love it there.
ReplyDeleteAhhh! I tweeted and commented :)
ReplyDeleteI've entered under my person account (Jess Giorgio) but I'm commenting under the blog ID
~Jess
I would chose New York because my friend lives there and they have lots of bookish events there.
ReplyDeleteI would also choose Rome because its just beautiful
New Zealand. I'm a LOTR's girl at heart!
ReplyDeleteI would love to live in New Zealand, for a more relaxing way of life. Less crowds, less hustle and bustle,no language problems, more time to enjoy life and the wonders that mother nature has to offer. We visited many years ago and, every weekend, most people seemed to be enjoying the beautiful coast - Auckland is called the City of Sails. There are many wonderful lakes too.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds a very interesting book, would love to read it. I would love to visit New York.
ReplyDeleteI think if I had to move anywhere it would be a toss up between England and Scotland.
ReplyDeleteIf I could move anywhere in the world it would be a toss up of 3 places: Italy, Bora Bora - my cousin just went and OMG the pictures were drool-worthy- or England.
ReplyDeleteArashi is AWESOME! It's the only JPop I really listen to though as I'm more into JRock. ^_^
ReplyDeleteAnd now the important part:
If I could move anywhere? Hm... I would love to visit a lot of places but home is home. I am definitely trying to get out of the frightful cold of New England's winter but... I think I would stay in the states. Probably back to the South where I'm originally from. ^_^
If, and it's a really big if I moved out of country it would probably be to England where I have friends or Honduras where I have family. ^_^
I'd want to live in Cinderella's castle at Disney World if I could move anywhere in the world. I think it would be amazing to stay in the park and see visitor during the day especially children going for the firt time :-)
ReplyDeleteItaly. I want to live in Italy so much! I definitely plan on visiting there!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway!
~Konstanz Silverbow
Id love to travel Europe.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to go to Paris :)
ReplyDeleteI love it right here in Cali but I'm torn between San Francisco and Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
I'd probably move to Wales.
ReplyDeleteOr somewhere in Ireland!
Thanks for the giveaway =)
Id move to Germany. Its clean and beautiful and the people are friendly and educated. I have actually been telling people this for years!
ReplyDeleteIf I had to move, I would probably move to Australia!
ReplyDeleteag_girl76 at yahoo dot com
Well, I've already done the big move once (Bulgaria to the UK), but I'd love to move to Japan if I could! ^_^ Many thanks for the awesome giveaway! ^_^
ReplyDeleteI would like to move to Hawaii
ReplyDeleteI would move to Scotland. The lushness of the Scottish Highlands call out to me.
ReplyDeleteId move to Prestatyn, North Wales. I grew up there as a kid but had to move to England when my dad did and I miss it.
ReplyDeleteI'd either move to Australia or to Devon. I especially love Bideford in Devon.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to move to Ireland. It looks so green and beautiful! thereforyou.melissa@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI'd move to Alaska so I can see the Northern Lights! <3
ReplyDeleteI'd move to Australia as I want to know if the water really does go down the plug hole the other way!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to move back to the UK. I once lived in Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire... I miss it. Living in Florida now just doesn't compare.
ReplyDeleteIf I can't get out of the U.S., I would choose to live in Tucson, Arizona again. Also one of my favorite places in the world.
I would have to say the seaside town of Brighton Not very adventurous I know but I just love it there Being able to turn a corner and see the sea at the end of the road makes me happy
ReplyDeleteBermuda Triangle. A place where you can literally disappear. What better place to visit.
ReplyDeleteI'd move somewhere up north such as Washington, Oregon, or even Canada. Those are some of the most beautiful places on earth.
ReplyDeleteColorado or Oregon
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletei would love to move to paris or mexico :))
ReplyDelete