Meet author and military spouse Alexandra Ivy!
Learn all about what she does for fun, her writing process and where she stands on a very important debat.
So read on for some behind the scenes info exclusive to Military Spouse!
- Describe your novel in five words.
Tense. Unexpected. Sexy. Spine-chilling. Vengeance.
- Do you ever base your characters off of the people in your life?
In some ways. I take small bits and pieces of people I know to create my characters. Like my absent-minded theater professor who was always losing his glasses and dressed in crazy clothes that never matched. Or the spooky man who lived up the street from me and only came out at night. And sometimes I use other characters to create characters. My tiny gargoyle in my Guardian of Eternity series is a cross between Cary Grant and Pepe Le Pew.
- What is the one book you could read over and over?
Pride and Prejudice. It’s a Christmas time tradition. I read it every, single year since I was fourteen years old.
- How long does it take you to write your books?
It depends on the book. My suspense books take at least six months because of the enormous amount of research, plus I tend to have to rewrite the book several times to layer in the clues, the suspects, and the emotional journey for the hero and heroine. My Guardians tend to go faster, because I’m so familiar with the world I’ve created, and the characters are truly like members of my family now!
- What is your favorite part of the writing process?
The dialogue. In fact, I write the entire book in play format to ensure that my characters are in charge of the story and not being overwhelmed by background information.
- What advice would you give to your younger self about writing?
Be patient. It took me ten years to finally sell a manuscript to a publishing house. At the time it felt like torture and I wanted to quit more than once. But looking back I realize that each story I created was polishing my writing skills. It also taught me self-discipline and keeping focused on my goals. That meant when I finally did sell, I was prepared to be a professional writer. I understood deadlines and editing and not getting distracted by some shiny new story idea!
- What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?
I love, love, love to travel and anytime I can get away I jump at the opportunity.
- What is the one book you cannot part with?
I have a copy of GONE WITH THE WIND that isn’t a first edition, but it was published just a year later. It’s in pristine condition, but it smells of age. I love it.
- Where do you fall on the bookmark vs dog-ear debate?
BOOKMARKS!! If I loan out a book and someone bends a page, they never get another book from me lol!
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