ReVamped Blog Tour: Interview with Ada Adams

Thank you to Bewitching Book Tours for letting us be a part of this tour. We are so glad to have Ada Adams, author of ReVamped, on our blog today! 

How long have you been writing?
Even though “ReVamped” is my debut novel, I have had a passion for writing ever since I picked up my first chapter book and began to read. All of a sudden, I was transported into a magical world full of mystery and awe. It was such an empowering feeling and since then, I knew that I wanted to write. I loved creating my own stories, and continued to develop my craft and my passion as I grew older. There is something so magical about being able to create an entire world full of colorful characters simply by putting a pen to paper (or fingers to a keyboard). I love that there are so many different writers and books in the world; everyone has their own take on storytelling!

What inspired you to write ReVamped?
I wanted to create a story about vampires, but I wanted to put a bit of a different spin on the genre. There are already so many wonderful books written about beautiful, strong, brilliant vampire beings, or dark, scary, evil ones, I decided to tell a tale about the misfit ones. I also wanted to take a more of a modern approach the topic, because vampires are part of our pop-culture. We are obsessed with them (and proud of it!), so I wanted to explore the idea of what would happen if they really existed amongst us.

I have a very long post regarding how “ReVamped” was first developed as a TV script, and later turned into a YA novel on the “ReVamped” Blog.

When you first started writing ReVamped, did you plan for it to be a series?
When I first plotted out the story, I didn’t expect for it to continue on into a series. However, once I began writing, I quickly realized that “ReVamped” doesn’t even scratch the surface of Dawn’s tale. After all, the book takes place over only a couple of months, and while Dawn experiences an entire lifetime of changes during that time, she is definitely not done growing. The ending of “ReVamped” has a resolution, but the sequel begins almost immediately after, so while you may not have been left with a cliffhanger (this was deliberate), you will begin “ReAwakened” with a bang!

What can you tell us about the sequel?
I can promise a lot more twists and turns! I think that has slowly become a signature for the “Angel Creek” series. My main goal with the sequel is also to slow down the story a little and focus on character growth and development, as well as the romantic aspect of Dawn’s life. I didn’t want to push the romance too much in the first book, in order to stay true to the characters, but also because the plot was so fast-paced, so I’m very excited to be able to delve deeper into that in the sequel. We will get to learn more about the misfits’ stories, as well as meet some new characters (most of which will be creating a lot of trouble for poor Dawn!). By the end of “ReVamped”, Dawn finds herself at a different point in her life for so many reasons, so I’m excited to explore that and push her to accept and fight for her feelings more.

Which of your characters do you relate to most and why?
I relate to each of the female characters on various levels. At the same time, they are all very different from me as well. Like Dawn, I love action and adventure, but I wouldn’t be able to hold out as long as she had without going on my first assignment! I am very loyal to my family and friends, a trait that Dawn also shares. I love how much she cares about her father, her nanny, and the misfits (even when they drive her crazy). However, I think that I’m a bit better when it comes to talking to boys. Like Sophie, I adore books, although I’m not as shy and conservative. Like Brooke, I was a cheerleader in high school (thankfully not for fifty years!), but unlike Brooke, I was also in the enriched program when it came to academics. Can you guess my favorite subject? :)

What is a secret about Dawn that nobody else knows?
Dawn’s life (especially her past) has been fashioned on the foundation of a few very big secrets. Giving those away would probably ruin the plot a little, as the main shock value for both Dawn and the readers comes from her unraveling those particular secrets. If you read the book,  can promise that those secrets will be explored even further (especially in Book Three). Since I do feel obliged to provide some secrets at least, I suppose it would be good to focus on Dawn’s personality. This is not necessarily a secret of hers, but I think that her personality when it comes to dealing with guys has been hugely shaped by her relationship with her father. While her father has always loved her unconditionally, he has a very hard time showing that love to Dawn. In a way, she has learned to put up a wall around her feelings, so she struggles with breaking down those barriers when it comes to her ability to express her romantic feelings toward Sebastian and Ethan. Now that the characters are more familiar with each other, they will find themselves in some interesting situations, so this will be explored on a much deeper level in the second book,

If your real life as a teenager was a Young Adult book, what would you, the main character, be like?
Wow! What a great question! I think that I would definitely be the type of main character that gets into a lot of trouble! I love action and adventure, and am a very curious girl, so I would probably find myself in a lot of fun and exciting situations! I do have a black belt and am a big proponent of strong girls that can hold their own, so I would most likely be a bit of a tough, butt-kicking kind of gal (if the plot required, of course). I would also DEFINITELY chase around that mysterious paranormal boy, even if he tells me to stay away for my own good. I mean, come on! However, I wouldn’t fall for that insta-love stuff. I would make him work for my affection!

What book have you read too many times to count?
Ever since I was a little girl, my mom and I have always read “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch to each other. As I’m turning into more of a grown-up (yea, right!), I’m really starting to appreciate the strong bond that I have with my family. I’m forever grateful for their unconditional love and support. However, as far as chapter books go, I rarely reread them. I know that sounds really odd, but for some reason, I have an aversion to reading books and watching movies that I’ve already seen (unless a really long time has passed since reading/seeing it for the first time). I do support books that I adore in other ways: buying hardcopies to display on my shelf, reading the sequels or other works by the author, recommending them to friends, or daydreaming about them.

What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?
“Write for yourself.” and it has always stuck with me. In order to truly love what you do, you must write the type of stories that inspire you and truly fill you with happiness and pleasure. Trying to tailor a story with only sales or fame in mind, will not only make you an unhappy writer, but will also not fulfill you as a person. The journey is not an easy one, and sometimes it can be a lonely one. However, as long as you’re truly writing because you love it and you’re happy to be doing so, I believe that you can achieve great things!

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
I think one of the most wonderful and surprising things that I have learned is that my character truly have a voice of their own. When I write certain scenes, I am sometimes surprised by the direction which they take, and even more shocked to realize that that particular course of action was not necessarily due to my plotting, but because of the characters’ personalities and desires.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I am also an actress, so I love to utilize my acting and explore different worlds and characters in a more physical way. I find that writing and acting complement each other very well. Writing helps me becoming a better actor and vice versa. I love being in nature, whether camping in the wilderness or swimming in the lake at the cottage. One of my favorite things to do is to travel! I want to see the entire world. This is proving to be a little difficult, as I’m not a very good flier. I also like photography (only as a hobby), and love to photograph different places. This past summer, I have really enjoyed exploring and photographing abandoned structures. Each one carries a unique and interesting story. I hope to, one day, write about the collection. I love spending time with my family, friends, and cuddling with my puppies (Cara and Oreo).

Are any of the things in your books based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
Unfortunately, I have to admit that everything in “ReVamped” is purely fictional. I do draw from certain elements of pop-culture (“Transylvania Shore” could definitely be a highly-rated TV show about super-pale vampires who love to party, right?), but my real-life experiences are way less exciting than Dawn’s. I also try to incorporate characters who, while being purely fictional, deal with certain real-life issues (the need for family, the desire to be popular, the struggle for independence, etc.). After all, paranormal characters can also have “normal” problems!

Thank you Ada, for joining us today on our stop along the ReVamped Blog Tour!

ReVamped Blog Tour: Book Review of ReVamped by Ada Adams

To learn more about Ada Adams and her books, visit her website. You can also find the author on Facebook and Twitter.