SPOTLIGHT ON… Momentum Books: Adina West

Adina West

Describe yourself in one word:
Not sure if I can manage this, because wow, I’m both a talker and a writer, and condensing anything down to one word requires a level of haiku magnificence I really haven’t mastered yet. Or maybe the one word I should choose is…Impossible? 😉

What is your background with regard to writing?
Since I was a child, I’ve enjoyed creative writing and been a big reader. In high school, I always chose to study subjects with writing-based assessment; History, English… As an adult I’ve worked in journalism, copywriting, and been a newsletter editor. So I’ve always written, in a variety of forms. It’s not something I could ever imagine myself not doing. Fiction is my main love at the moment, though. I’m constantly thinking of topics for journalistic articles and not writing them, so I think that tells its own story!

When did you first begin writing with a view of embarking on a career as a published author?
I first got ‘serious’ about writing in 2008. But it was more a change of mindset than anything else, as I’d been writing for years. Up until then I called it a hobby, but after that point I proceeded in a different way. I read everything I could find on the internet about the process of getting published. I stopped dabbling, and I actually finished a whole novel. Then edited it. Then submitted to agents. All of those were firsts for me, up until that point! That book was Dark Child by the way (though it had a different title back then). And the rest is history. J

Tell us about the first book you wrote
It was a historical romance, set partly in Barbados and partly in England, and parts of it were truly cringeworthy. There were hidden identities and misunderstandings, and lots of angst…I learned a lot while writing it though. One day I may even go back and fix all the mistakes and give it new life. J

What is your writing routine?
I have three child-free days a week and try to get as much as possible done then – but I also work at night. That often seems to be when inspiration strikes!

Favourite snack whilst writing?
I’ve been known to line up sultanas, and reward myself with one for every hundred words I write, but that’s more of a distraction than anything else. I usually don’t eat while writing, as mealtimes are when I stop and take a break. But I like to have a hot drink on hand when I’m working. Chai or rooibos usually.

If you weren’t writing, what would you be doing?
That’s a hard one, as I’ve never not been writing, since I was a kid. But probably something else creative. I also love music, art…

One thing you’d like readers to know about the romance genre…
I write contemporary paranormal fantasy with romantic elements. So I suppose I’m always keen to remind readers who’ve never tried romance how broad the romance genre is, and how many blends there are between romance and other genres. Fantasy romance, paranormal romance, historical romance, romantic suspense…There really is something for everyone!

Number one thing to do on your bucket list?
One day I’d like to go sky-diving. Not sure if I’ll ever do it though!

Biggest accomplishment to date:
My two kids top the list. J But writing a book and getting it published is definitely also up there! Hard work, but worth every minute of it. (that applies to both the kids and the writing!)

What’s next for you?
I’m currently working on more in the Dark Child story…and after that, who knows? I have a few other projects on the back burner I’d love to work on.

 

Confessions of an Author:

Is there something we’d be shocked to know about you?
I’m sure there’d be something. Are you easily shocked?

What do you find easiest to write? And, the hardest?
Dialogue scenes are the easiest for me. When they flow, they just flow…and setting, detail – anything that requires research, I find painfully slow by comparison.

Favourite travel experience?
Travelling to the UK and Europe was wonderful, especially driving around Wales and Ireland, exploring some really quiet rural areas. But I also loved being dressed in traditional Japanese kimono and going to visit Himeji Castle with Japanese friends at New Year. Walking in the traditional sandals was certainly…memorable!

Favourite fictional character:
I’m not sure if I have just one absolute favourite. But when I was a teenager, I was very fond of Sorensen Carlisle, the male witch in Margaret Mahy’s The Changeover. I haven’t read the book in years and would love to see if it still lives up to my memories!

Milk or dark chocolate?
Milk – but not if it’s too sweet!

Red, white, bubbly?
Depends what I’m eating and whether I’m celebrating!

Salty or sweet?
Can I have both together? Salted butter caramel anyone?

Beach or mountains?
Mountains.

Give or receive?
Give.

 

Find Adina online:
Website
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