Hi all! Today I have the pleasure of joining in with Kristy Brown’s Just Sam blog tour 🙂

Many thanks to Kelly @ Love Books Group Tours for the opportunity to take part.

Interview with Kristy Brown…..

For those who don’t know already, could you tell us about yourself and your book(s) please?

Hi. I’m Kristy from the UK. I write mostly teen and YA books. My first series, ‘Kiera’s Quest,’ is published by Muse It Up Publishing. It’s a teen fantasy series and very different from my new book, ‘Just Sam,’ which is a YA Contemporary Romance. Sam is loosely based in the world of tennis, but you don’t have to like the sport to enjoy the book. It’s mainly about a girl who suffers a great loss and her way back to believing in herself again and trusting in life and love.

Where did/do you get your ideas from?

Just Sam was inspired by my childhood, me and my mum watching tennis and how exciting that was. Sometimes I dream characters, my new paranormal book is totally based on a dream I had about the male lead character and the rest followed from him.

Are any of your characters based (however loosely) on anyone you know?

Yes. The two male love interests in Just Sam are very similar to the two crushes I had at school. I think you have to fancy your leads a little for the reader to like them too. Sam has lots of me in her, fiery, ambitious, yet self-doubting.

How do you pick your characters names?

For Kiera’s Quest I must admit I picked names of family and friends. I tend to stay away from that now, I see a character in my head and usually just know what they should be called.

Can you share your writing process with us, in a nutshell?

Yes. I must have complete silence, so my kids must be at school. I write a chapter by hand, messy and quickly, and then I type and edit that until it reads to my liking.

Who are your top 5 favourite authors?

Tricky, I like so many… Rick Yancey, J.K Rowling, John Green, Kiera Cass and Jennifer Armentrout. I could go on…

If you could meet any author, who would it be and what would you ask them?

Hmmm, J.K Rowling because of her struggle to get where she is today. She inspires me, and I think she could give a pretty good pep talk.

Were you a big reader as a child?

Yes. I loved reading and writing. I read a lot of Roald Dahl and in my teenage years I loved the Sweet Valley High books.

When did you start to write?

I wrote poetry and short stories when I was younger. I stopped when I became interested in acting. I moved to a big city and trained in that, but I lost my passion for it. I found my love for writing when my first son was born. He’d sleep in the day and I started writing a short story. That became longer and longer and was my first book, ‘Kiera’s Quest.’

If you could re-write the ending to any book what would it be and what would you change?

Sorry to any fans of the Divergent series, but the last book. I loved this series, but I threw Allegiant across the room when I finished it. I hate it when an author kills a love interest/main character off. I understand why she did it, but when your heavily invested in these characters it feels like a betrayal!

Is there a book you wish you had written?

“The Fifth Wave,” by Rick Yancey. Maybe ‘Hush Hush,’ ‘Fallen’ by Lauren Kate…. Lots!

If you wrote an autobiography, what would your title be?

I’ve never thought about it… maybe that will come.

If you could invite any fictional character for coffee who would it be and where would you take them?

Can I say Thor? (Obvious reasons!) Maybe Louisa from ‘Me Before You,’ she’s so vivacious and fun.

What are you working on right now?

Right now, I’m working on my paranormal series, ‘Summer’s End,’ which is coming out soon with Muse It Up Publishing. I’m also editing a retelling of Cinderella. When I get any spare time, I’m writing and podcasting for my joint YouTube channel, ‘Two Wordy.’

Tell us about your last release?

Just Sam is my last release.

Do you have a new release due?

Summer’s End… any time now.

What do you generally do to celebrate on publication day?

I have a drink with my husband and friends.

How can readers keep in touch with you?

I have an author page on Facebook. I’m very active on Twitter @KBrownauthor and you can find all my books on Goodreads.

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

No, just a big thank you for having me!! I love chatting so come tweet me! 😊

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, Kristy 🙂