Meet Angela Kay Austin

Bestselling author Angela Kay Austin has expressed herself through words for as long as she can remember.  Poems became songs performed with her cousin at every family gathering.  But, eventually, short stories filled her favorite pink diary.  An infatuation with music and theater led to years playing various instruments and small extra roles in TV shows before giving way to a degree and career in radio and TV production.  After completing another degree in marketing, Angela found herself combining her love for all things creative and worked for many many years in promotions and advertising.  But once again, she found herself writing, which led to her first published work which stayed on her publisher’s bestseller list for ten weeks.  Her second release hit the bestseller list at All Romance eBooks. She’s spoken on author panels, and served on boards for various author groups.  When she’s not writing, you can find her reading her favorite authors, or researching her next story idea.  Angela shares her downtime with her mixed-bred rescue terrier—Midnight, in the beautiful southern state of Tennessee.

Thanks for joining me in the Potpourri Parlor today, Angela. 

What three words do you think describe you as a human being?

Wow.  I don’t think I’ve ever tried to sum up myself in three words J  Compassionate.  Determined.  Hopeful.

How do you think others would describe you?

I don’t know.  But, I hope they see me as I see myself.  It would be horrible to have a weird idealistic view of myself verses seeing myself in the way that others see me.  I don’t know what would be more disappointing a false image of self, or that the person I want to be, I’m not.

What do you do to unwind and relax?

I like to have all of my senses satisfied.  I’ll light one of my favorite candles.  Pour a glass of wine.  Cook one of my favorite meals, preferably something with lamb.  And curl up with a great book or movie.  Giving myself permission to do or think of nothing that would pull me out of that moment.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers? If so, what are they?

I feel like I answer this question the same way every time, but the only answer I really think I can give is…write.  If you never take the leap and try it, you’ll never know just how good of a writer you can become.  The more you write, the more you erase the basic mistakes, and shape your voice.  The stronger your voice becomes, I think, the better your story.

Do you have a milestone birthday coming up? If so, how are you approaching it?

I’ve celebrated forty three times J 

What would we find under your bed?

Nothing.  I’m a bit of a neat freak.  I like to be able to see every corner of a room when I walk in.  Or, maybe I had too many nightmares as a kid, and like to know nothing’s under my bed when I close my eyes at night.

Tell us about your favorite restaurant.

There’s a restaurant in Memphis, TN – Flight – it’s a tapas style restaurant, and they have some great items on the menu, including: elk, quail, fantastic lobster bisque!  And it’s located in historic downtown Memphis.

Morning Person? Or Night Person? How do you know?

Night person, 100%. How do I know…I love the sun, but I can totally stay up ‘til four in the morning, and then sleep ‘til noon.  And I won’t feel like I’ve missed a thing.  When I’m awake early in the morning, I feel like an alien sightseeing.

Can you describe a typical writing day for you?

My writing day has changed, recently.  I write much more frequently, now.  Every day, I write something.  It helps me tremendously with the continuity of my stories.  I don’t forget the little details.  Eye color.  Hair styles.  You know the little things that pull the story together.  Instead of cleaning those things up with edits, I catch it as I’m writing, or eliminate it all together.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An actress.  When I entered undergrad, I was in the College of Fine Arts studying theatre until I switched to the School of Communications.  I had the dream of one day being a great character actress.  After a few auditions, and a little extra work, I decided acting wasn’t quite my thing.  But, I still love it.  I can get lost in a great movie any day of the week.  

Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?

Sometimes.  If I can’t get into the emotion of the scene I’m trying to write, I’ll use music to pull me out of myself, and into the scene.  So, the music changes with what I’m writing. 

What actors would you cast in your latest novel if it was being made into a made-for-TV-movie?

I use Pinterest to help me organize pics of inspiration for my characters.  For my latest manuscript, I based the characters on Eric Dane and Gabrielle Union.  I love Gabrielle’s spunk, and I think she’s really kind of classically pretty.  And Eric Dane, well, I think he’s what I call “grown man sexy.”  He has just a touch of grey, in great shape, and has a great smile.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned while writing your books?

How much it taught me to pay attention to the way people interact with each other.  I find myself watching people all the time.  In restaurants.  At malls.  Anywhere and everywhere.  I eavesdrop on conversations whenever possible to catch bits and pieces of dialogue.  And I jot it all down.  It’s my way of writing more authentic experiences.

What inspired you to write?

The poetry of Langston Hughes and the writings of Maya Angelou and Tony Morrison.  Their work entertained, informed, challenged.

What do you want people to say about your books 50 years from now?

I’d hope people feel they’ve taken an emotional journey.  A journey they’re sad to see end, but they enjoyed.

Contact Angela:

Website: http://www.angelakayaustin.com/

Blog: www.angelakayaustin.blogspot.com

FaceBook: www.FaceBook.com/AngelaKayAustin

Twitter: @AngelaKayAustin

YouTube: www.YouTube.com/AngelaKayAustin