Amber Leigh
Williams is a romance writer who lives on the US Gulf Coast. She lives for
beach days, the smell of real books and spending time with her husband and
their two young children. When she’s not keeping up with rambunctious little
ones (and two large dogs), she can usually be found reading a good book or
indulging her inner foodie. Amber is represented by the D4EO Literary Agency.
Amber’s latest
book is the contemporary romance, Navy SEAL’S Match.
WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK
About the Book:
He believes he can’t be saved—she’ll prove him
wrong!
Former SEAL Gavin Savitt always knew who he was—until his last deployment ended tragically. Now he’s home, his mind hijacked by trauma and the shadow of his once-perfect sight. Yet in this new hazy, unclear world, one person stands out—Mavis Bracken.
There are a million reasons why Gavin shouldn’t be with Mavis, including that she’s his best friend’s little sister. Yet he longs for her touch, her freckles and her special way with wild, skittish beasts like him. He just needs the courage to take his life back. And Mavis won’t let him give up without a fight.
Former SEAL Gavin Savitt always knew who he was—until his last deployment ended tragically. Now he’s home, his mind hijacked by trauma and the shadow of his once-perfect sight. Yet in this new hazy, unclear world, one person stands out—Mavis Bracken.
There are a million reasons why Gavin shouldn’t be with Mavis, including that she’s his best friend’s little sister. Yet he longs for her touch, her freckles and her special way with wild, skittish beasts like him. He just needs the courage to take his life back. And Mavis won’t let him give up without a fight.
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What’s inside the mind of a romance author?
Chaos? No, it’s probably just me. There are all sorts of
conversations happening inside my head at any given time; they’re all either
heated or extremely sarcastic and most of them are between other people.
Needless to say, having the outlet of writing to get the dialogue out of my
head has been instrumental in keeping me sane.
What is so great about being an author?
Sharing my stories with other people. Writing’s a lonely art
so seeing it go from concept to an open book in someone else’s hands is
something magical.
When do you hate it?
The process of getting a story onto paper has many ups and
downs. A lot of times, there are more down times than ups and they’re difficult
to charter. It doesn’t get easier, the more books that you write, but you do
learn the ways that work to manage the self-doubt.
What is a regular writing day like for you?
I’m a homeschooling parent so I do have a full-time job
outside of writing. My littlest one still naps regularly so that’s when I try
to get the business of publishing done—normally while my oldest builds LEGOs
across the table. After their bedtime, I work towards my writing goals—or try
to. Caffeine and chocolate are my friends.
How do you handle negative reviews?
If I read them, it’s once. I take whatever constructive
criticism there is to gain from them. If there’s none, then it’s best just to
forget about it and move on. A writing voice doesn’t thrive with negative
chatter plodding along for the journey.
How do you handle positive reviews?
I love positive feedback as much as any other writer, but
like negative reviews, it’s best to read them once and move on to the next
thing. A good review won’t write the next book; only I can do that and
overestimating my abilities is never not a recipe for disappointment.
What is the usual response when you tell a new acquaintance
that you’re an author?
I’m known mostly as the stay at home mom so whenever I get
into a conversation about writing, people are surprised and curious.
What do you do on those days you don’t feel like writing? Do
you force it or take a break?
When you’re on a deadline, you have to get the words out.
Something is better than nothing. Even if I have to delete the words later,
I’ve found one way the story doesn’t work.
Any writing quirks?
Do hot tea and lip gloss count? I find it necessary to
always have a blanket and a comfy chair on hand as well.
What would you do if people around you didn’t take your
writing seriously or see it as a hobby?
I couldn’t imagine doing what I do without the support of my
spouse and extended family. I hope I would write anyway, but it would be
extraordinarily difficult.
Some authors seem to have a love-hate relationship to
writing. Can you relate?
Absolutely. I love when the concept of a story becomes
something more than an idea. I love the challenge of writing, though I could do
without the lows at times. I learn more from the lows than the high points,
however, so there’s not one without the other. It’s definitely a love-hate
dynamic.
Do you think success as an author must be linked to money?
No, success comes with completion. When you take an idea and
transform it on the page into a 50,000-80,000 novel, there’s no point of
failure in that—even if revision comes inevitably after.
What has writing taught you?
Writing is an intimate process so it’s taught me a great
many things personally, not least of which who I am and what I believe in.
Leave us with some words of wisdom.
Never be afraid to try. The thing I admire most about my
children is that, like my spouse, they’re both do-ers and triers. They’re very
young but they each already have certain things that they’re passionate about.
Watching them develop their interests, seeing their eagerness to learn and grow
in these areas, has been inspirational both personally and professionally. If
everyone, no matter their age, had the wherewithal to express themselves so
freely or had the courage to try whatever they’re most passionate about—I think
happiness would be much more commonplace.
