Amanda Meuwissen is a bisexual and happily married 35-year-old geek. Primarily an M/M romance author with a focus on urban fantasy, she has a Bachelor of Arts in a personally designed Creative Writing major from St. Olaf College and is an avid consumer of fiction through film, prose, and video games. Amanda lives in Minneapolis, MN, with her husband, John, and their cat, Helga.
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What is the biggest influence/interest that brought you to this genre?
Fanfiction. When I was much younger, and I had already been bitten by the writing bug, discovering fanfiction was what enabled me to be able to first finish stories and explore more how other people did. I first dipped my toes in video game fanfiction for both Final Fantasy VII and VIII, and it was there, as well as from a few anime I watched at the time, Weiss Kreuz and Saiyuki, that I started to find slash/yaoi in fandoms and explore it. At the time, I didn’t realize how much my enjoyment of it reflected my own sexual discovery and gender identity, but more and more I found myself comfortable writing male characters over female ones. And what can I say, while romance is never the sole focus of my fiction – it’s more about saving the world, saving the city, stopping the bad guy, solving the mystery, overcoming SOMETHING ELSE, and the romance is merely part of that – I cannot get enough of falling in love stories. Fanfiction brought me to that, and from there I’ve embraced it in original fiction too and found a very comfortable and fulfilling home.
When writing a book, what is your favorite part of the creative process (outline, plot, character names, editing, etc)?
Editing. But I mean the FINAL editing process. I always go back and reread chapters as I’m writing and do little edits throughout, but when the first full draft is complete and I get to start all over from the beginning reading it in its entirety, that’s my favorite part. I get to experience it all again, remember things I might have forgotten that I can tweak or add/remove, and really find the ideal version of the story I want to tell. It’s fun to read my own work, enjoy all over again the parts I loved, and find ways to make it better. I think that explains why I love editing for others so much. It’ll always be my favorite part of the writing process.
When reading a book, what genre do you find most interesting/intriguing?
I like smaller, self-contained stories. Ongoing series with huge casts really turn me off. But my favorite genre to read regardless is also my favorite to write – urban fantasy. Taking something of our own real world and making it magical. My favorite books show that too, like Good Omens and the first few novels in the Night Watch series. It’s rare that I’m interested in contemporary fiction without something fantastical to it, because I get enough of ‘normal’ in real life. I want escape. I want to lose myself in a different world where anything is possible, from wizards to superheroes to modern-day vampires.
If you could co-author with any author, past or present, who would you choose?
Honestly, I think it would be fascinating if H.P. Lovecraft was around today, and by being born today, would hopefully be a better kind of person, not mired in the unfortunate things I’ve heard of him, but someone more open-minded, because being able to take all those crazy ideas of his and make something more suited for today, maybe even making it M/M romance or tackling more of today’s issues, could be incredible. And on that note… stay tuned for a new novel coming out from K.L. Hiers this August, Acsquidentally In Love. It basically is just that and makes me squee uncontrollably.
Have you always wanted to write or did it come to you "later in life"?
Yep, for as long as I can remember. When I was really young and first learning to read, being the youngest in my family by several years, I spent a lot of time playing alone, using my imagination to come up with stories. As soon as I could write, I did. It wasn’t until I reached my teens, however, that I was able to turn my love of storytelling into something concrete, because until then, I could never finish an idea. I just kept having them, but I never finished a story. That again was where fanfiction saved me. It let me ‘practice’, if you will, on established characters with shorter premises, until I was ready to really tackle longer, epic tales. By college I was writing thousands upon thousands of words a year for various stories – and finishing them. I always think of the great quote from Sister Act 2:
“I went to my mother, who gave me this book called Letters to a Young Poet. Rainer Maria Rilke. He's a fabulous writer. A fellow used to write to him and say: ‘I want to be a writer. Please read my stuff.’ And Rilke says to this guy: ‘Don't ask me about being a writer. If when you wake up in the morning, you can think of nothing but writing… then you're a writer."
I guess I’m a writer. ^_^
Fanfiction. When I was much younger, and I had already been bitten by the writing bug, discovering fanfiction was what enabled me to be able to first finish stories and explore more how other people did. I first dipped my toes in video game fanfiction for both Final Fantasy VII and VIII, and it was there, as well as from a few anime I watched at the time, Weiss Kreuz and Saiyuki, that I started to find slash/yaoi in fandoms and explore it. At the time, I didn’t realize how much my enjoyment of it reflected my own sexual discovery and gender identity, but more and more I found myself comfortable writing male characters over female ones. And what can I say, while romance is never the sole focus of my fiction – it’s more about saving the world, saving the city, stopping the bad guy, solving the mystery, overcoming SOMETHING ELSE, and the romance is merely part of that – I cannot get enough of falling in love stories. Fanfiction brought me to that, and from there I’ve embraced it in original fiction too and found a very comfortable and fulfilling home.
When writing a book, what is your favorite part of the creative process (outline, plot, character names, editing, etc)?
Editing. But I mean the FINAL editing process. I always go back and reread chapters as I’m writing and do little edits throughout, but when the first full draft is complete and I get to start all over from the beginning reading it in its entirety, that’s my favorite part. I get to experience it all again, remember things I might have forgotten that I can tweak or add/remove, and really find the ideal version of the story I want to tell. It’s fun to read my own work, enjoy all over again the parts I loved, and find ways to make it better. I think that explains why I love editing for others so much. It’ll always be my favorite part of the writing process.
When reading a book, what genre do you find most interesting/intriguing?
I like smaller, self-contained stories. Ongoing series with huge casts really turn me off. But my favorite genre to read regardless is also my favorite to write – urban fantasy. Taking something of our own real world and making it magical. My favorite books show that too, like Good Omens and the first few novels in the Night Watch series. It’s rare that I’m interested in contemporary fiction without something fantastical to it, because I get enough of ‘normal’ in real life. I want escape. I want to lose myself in a different world where anything is possible, from wizards to superheroes to modern-day vampires.
If you could co-author with any author, past or present, who would you choose?
Honestly, I think it would be fascinating if H.P. Lovecraft was around today, and by being born today, would hopefully be a better kind of person, not mired in the unfortunate things I’ve heard of him, but someone more open-minded, because being able to take all those crazy ideas of his and make something more suited for today, maybe even making it M/M romance or tackling more of today’s issues, could be incredible. And on that note… stay tuned for a new novel coming out from K.L. Hiers this August, Acsquidentally In Love. It basically is just that and makes me squee uncontrollably.
Have you always wanted to write or did it come to you "later in life"?
Yep, for as long as I can remember. When I was really young and first learning to read, being the youngest in my family by several years, I spent a lot of time playing alone, using my imagination to come up with stories. As soon as I could write, I did. It wasn’t until I reached my teens, however, that I was able to turn my love of storytelling into something concrete, because until then, I could never finish an idea. I just kept having them, but I never finished a story. That again was where fanfiction saved me. It let me ‘practice’, if you will, on established characters with shorter premises, until I was ready to really tackle longer, epic tales. By college I was writing thousands upon thousands of words a year for various stories – and finishing them. I always think of the great quote from Sister Act 2:
“I went to my mother, who gave me this book called Letters to a Young Poet. Rainer Maria Rilke. He's a fabulous writer. A fellow used to write to him and say: ‘I want to be a writer. Please read my stuff.’ And Rilke says to this guy: ‘Don't ask me about being a writer. If when you wake up in the morning, you can think of nothing but writing… then you're a writer."
I guess I’m a writer. ^_^
Summary:
It’s not easy being someone’s fairy tale.
Leigh Hurley is making a name for himself among thieves and criminals, even if it isn’t the life he would’ve chosen. He shouldn’t have screwed over the Moretti brothers, though. It landed him in the river with weights on his feet. But somehow he’s escaped certain death. The last thing he remembers before waking on the riverbank is a beautiful face and a soft kiss.
Then, Tolomeo turns up naked at Leigh’s apartment.
Tolly comes from a race of killers—merfolk who drown humans for fun. But Tolly is different, and when he sees a human in trouble, he offers a kiss, granting the man the ability to breathe underwater… and himself the ability to walk on land, at least until the next full moon. The ancient laws state that if he is given a vow of love by the one he kissed, he will be able to keep his legs. If not, he will be put to death when he returns to the water.
But love is not something Leigh offers easily… and Tolly has a secret of his own.
A Model Escort
Summary:
What’s the value of love?
Shy data scientist Owen Quinn is brilliant at predictive models but clueless at romance. Fortunately, a new career allows him to start over hundreds of miles from the ex he would rather forget. But the opportunity might go to waste since this isn’t the kind of problem he knows how to solve. The truth is, he’s terrible at making the first move and wishes a connection didn’t have to revolve around sex.
Cal Mercer works for the Nick of Time Escort Service. He’s picky about his clients and has never accepted a regular who is looking for companionship over sex—but can the right client change his mind? And can real feelings develop while money is changing hands? Owen and Cal might get to the root of their true feelings... if their pasts don’t interfere.
Interpretive Hearts
Summary:
Love is easy once you learn the steps.
In the competitive world of dance, Teddy was a flawless performer and hardass choreographer who students feared and admired in equal measure. But hip surgery ended the glamour and drama, and now Teddy is recovering at his beach house, lost and listless.
Until he meets Finn, his neighbor, who is too perfect, gorgeous, and kind to exist—but very ill timed. In a seaside town as small as theirs, they can’t avoid each other, especially since Finn is also Teddy’s new physical therapist. But Teddy isn’t the man he used to be, and though Finn flirts shamelessly with him, Teddy can’t believe a has-been dancer is worthy of someone so young and full of life.
Finn’s sunny smile is also hiding heartache. Pursuing Teddy challenges both his professionalism and his self-preservation, but if he can convince Teddy to trust him, maybe they both can heal.
After Vertigo
Summary:
Heroes aren’t born, they’re made – sometimes reluctantly.
In a flash, the world changed. A solar flare—later dubbed Vertigo—activated the DNA of more than half the world’s people, granting them special abilities. Brilliant scientist Benjamin Krane might be Powerless, but his inventions are the only thing giving the police a fighting chance against super-powered evil. Ben doesn’t have much of a life beyond work, and when he gets wind of a robbery one evening, he decides to test his newest invention personally….
A thief, rogue, and shameless flirt, Grey Miller—aka the Streak—likes shiny things, but he doesn’t hurt people. When Ben catches him—and proposes they team up against the real bad guys—Grey doesn’t know whether it’s the offer or the man he can’t resist. But one thing’s for sure—they’re an ideal match in more ways than one.
With a psychotic supervillain’s catastrophic plan moving forward and everyone he cares about in danger, now might not be the best time for Ben to give in to Grey’s seduction, no matter how tempting. Grey is a man of secrets, and if Ben wants a future with him, he’ll have to learn to trust Grey—and himself.
Lovesick Gods
Summary:
Lovesick #1
Heroes aren’t meant to act like their villains—or fall in love with them.
The elements touch everyone on Earth—Fire, Water, even Light—but every so often someone becomes more attuned to their elemental leaning and develops true power. When an evil Elemental known as Thanatos arrived in Olympus City, it saw the rise of its first hero—Zeus. But the death toll caused by defeating Thanatos changed Zeus, who by day is young detective Danny Grant.
It’s been six months since Thanatos terrorized the city at the start of Lovesick Gods. Danny should be used to his duty behind the mask, but the recent past haunts him. His girlfriend left him, he snaps at the barest provocation, his life feels empty—he needs an outlet, any outlet to pull him out of his depression.
Enter notorious thief Malcolm Cho, the Ice Elemental Prometheus. There was a time when Danny welcomed a fight with Cho, filled with colorful banter and casual flirtations that were a relief compared to Thanatos. Even as a criminal, Cho had recognized the threat Thanatos posed and promised to help Danny stop him, but the day Danny needed Cho, he never showed. Cho was the reason so many people died that day—including Danny’s mother.
Danny decides to teach the man a lesson and fan the fire of their attraction into something more. At worst, he’ll get some no-strings-attached sex out of the deal and finally blow off steam; at best, he’ll get Cho to fall in love with him and then break his heart to spite him.
Danny doesn’t expect to fall for Cho in the process, and he certainly can’t predict the much darker threat on the horizon.
Coming Up for Air
A Model Escort
Interpretive Hearts
AMAZON US / AMAZON UK / B&N
KOBO / iTUNES / GOOGLE PLAY
DREAMSPINNER / GOODREADS TBR
After Vertigo
AMAZON US / AMAZON UK / B&N
KOBO / iTUNES / GOOGLE PLAY
DREAMSPINNER / GOODREADS TBR
Lovesick Gods
AMAZON US / AMAZON UK
B&N / KOBO / GOOGLE PLAY
iTUNES / GOODREADS TBR
KOBO / iTUNES / GOOGLE PLAY
DREAMSPINNER / GOODREADS TBR
After Vertigo
AMAZON US / AMAZON UK / B&N
KOBO / iTUNES / GOOGLE PLAY
DREAMSPINNER / GOODREADS TBR
Lovesick Gods
AMAZON US / AMAZON UK
B&N / KOBO / GOOGLE PLAY
iTUNES / GOODREADS TBR
