Amarinda Jones - Interview

Today I am joined by author, Amarinda Jones. Welcome, it's great to have you here.

1) Perhaps to start you could tell us a little bit more about yourself and your writing in general.

Well, I'm your average Aussie. I'm, direct and to the point and constantly in trouble for it. My writing? It's like me. I enjoy taking risks, telling it like it is and shocking people. Life is short. Live it scandalously. I also refuse to write perfect heroines. I write about real, flawed women who fall in love with men they're amazed they can attract. I believe, as women, we're too damn hard on ourselves and that we deserve the hero we think we can't get. 

2) Dark at Heart is a very dark thriller. Where did you find your inspiration for the story?

I believe we all have darkness lurking within us and every so often it's good to look at what we think we know and believe. Dark at Heart is a story about re-evaluating who you trust and really looking at those people foremost in your life. It's also about falling in love and accepting your past as just that. The setting was inspired by the rain forests surrounding Cairns, Queensland, Australia and a beautiful, secret area that only the locals know about called Crystal Cascades, about five minutes from where I live. Sssh...tell no one. 

3) Which other writers influence you the most in your writing? Where any of them sources of inspiration for Dark at Heart?

I don't let other writers influence me because in the end a writer can only write from their life experience and what's in their heart. Imitation is just that. But friends and complete strangers inspire me. I like to watch people and their actions.

4) What do you think makes a successful horror/thriller story?
The element of surprise and the WTF moment when the heroine/hero realizes not all is as it seems and what are they going to do to save their arses? Blood and guts is fine but I like the psychological aspect of it.  

5) How do you create your characters? Do they come to you fully formed, or do you ever base them on people in your life?

I always base my characters on people I meet. I like to watch people for their reactions. If you recognize yourself in an Amarinda book it could be because I've been watching you.

6) What else have you been working on lately and what other releases can we expect to see from you in the coming months?

Lots of erotic romance and another dark story coming out through Wicked Nights Publishing called 'Mine Forever'. I'm also working on my own publishing site called Scarlet Harlot Publishing™.  It's in the very, every early stages due to life interruptions and commitments to writing series books. It's going to be a site with few rules. I'm not big on rules.

7) Where can readers grab a copy of Dark at Heart and find out more about you and your writing?

Readers can go direct to Wicked Night Publishing and grab a copy. To see what I'm all about, go to www.amarindajones.com or wander onto Facebook and read my ramblings.