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    Q&A with Rich Amooi the author of Kissing Frogs

    6/30/2015

    Q&A with Rich Amooi

    Today on the blog we have Rich Amooi author of Kissing Frogs – Rich and I have a lot in common, including some favourite books.
    Kissing Frogs - Rich Amooi - Cover
    1. What was the inspiration for your novel?

    I received emails from readers (and some mentioned it in their reviews online) that they loved the crazy scenes in my debut novel, Five Minutes Late, where Ellie went on dates with losers she met online. Those scenes were so much fun to write that I decided to write another book (Kissing Frogs) where I could incorporate more dates with losers!

    2. When did you take up writing?

    Although I have written over a thousand radio commercials, my journey into fiction and becoming an author started in 2010 when my wife encouraged me to take a creative writing class at Stanford. I ended up taking four classes between 2010 and 2012 and I enjoyed them tremendously. My first two novels are based on short stories that I wrote in those classes.

    3. How important is setting/place in your writing?

    The two most important things for me in my books are my character’s quirks and the dialogue. I can pretty much put them anywhere in the world to do that. However, I have been having fun setting my stories in real small cities close to where I live in Silicon Valley. I even use real restaurants for the date scenes.

    4. Do you have a favourite character (s) in your current novel?

    This is a very difficult question but I think I will have to go with the dog, Kili. It’s amazing how much fun a scene can be when you throw a two hundred pound St. Bernard into the mix.

    5. What’s the best piece of writing advice you were ever given?

    Writers write. Sit your butt down in the chair and write! It is so easy to get distracted or make excuses for not writing. No excuses! Do it!

    6. Do you have a schedule for writing?

    I don’t have any set hours, but I try to write five days a week—sometimes more when I am approaching a deadline. It can vary. Some days I write for an hour or two and other days up to eight hours. Keep in mind that some of that time is dedicated to staring at the monitor with a blank look on my face and pulling my hair out. Although I write at home most of the time, occasionally I will get together with a group of writers at a local coffee shop to write for a few hours.

    7. Are you a plotter or someone who tends to wing it?

    In the past, I did a very loose plot—just one sentence for each scene. Here is an example from my second book, Dog Day Wedding.

    Scene 1: Giovanni gets jilted at the altar

    Scene 2: Giovanni tries to set his ex fiancée’s clothes on fire.

    Scene 3: Natalie stops Giovanni from setting the clothes on fire and they have a connection.

    For my current work-in-progress, I am going deeper with the plotting in hopes of being able to write the book faster.

    8. Can you name three of your favourite books?

    The Best Man by Kristan Higgins

    Stop The Wedding! By Stephanie Bond

    Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

    9. Can you tell me a little bit about what you are working on now?

    Mr. Crotchety is the story of a bitter man who lost his wife and gave up on love. Then he meets the most positive woman in the world and sparks fly! One thing is certain, he’s either going to kill her or he’s going to marry her.

    10. What advice would you give to a fledgling writer to assist them on
    their journey?

    I would give the same advice that I received. Writers write. Sit down and write. No excuses.

    Rich AmooiRich Amooi’s Bio

    Rich Amooi is a former Silicon Valley radio personality and wedding DJ who now writes romantic comedies full-time. He is happily married to a kiss monster and has a hairy golden retriever/lab mix that likes to eat carrots, tuna, and Manchego cheese imported from Spain.

    He believes (Rich, not the dog) in public displays of affection, silliness, infinite possibilities, donuts, gratitude, laughter, and happily ever after.

     

     

    Links to Kissing Frogs on Amazon

    Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010FGX4A6?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

    Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B010FGX4A6?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

    Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B010FGX4A6?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

    Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B010FGX4A6?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

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    Comment

    Rich Amooi
    7/2/2015 11:19:09 am

    Thanks so much for having me, Monique! That was fun. 🙂