"When I'm not writing" with Ada Adams + giveaway!

Today's guest post is from debut YA author Ada Adams. She's the mind behind the Angel Creek Chronicles and she's a fellow Canuck -- in fact, she's from Toronto, where I grew up, so I'm extra excited to have her on the blog. =) Ada's currently on tour promoting REVAMPED, the first book in her Angel Creek Chronicles series. I hope you all enjoy getting to know her!

And remember to stick around for the giveaway!

 
 

I truly believe that a creative, busy life is a fulfilled life. Even when I’m not writing (or thinking about writing), I strive to keep my creative juices flowing and surround myself with artistic pursuits.

The yin to my writing yang, is acting; they share a symbiotic relationship in my life. Both engage and feed my imagination, though writing is a more intrapersonal endeavor, while acting is quite interpersonal. The most important similarities between the two are that they require a lot of heart. By flexing my acting muscles, I truly believe that I become a better writer and vice versa. Plus, both enable me to live in imaginary worlds and interact with quirky characters, so I’m always having a blast!

My favorite roles are those of kick-butt heroines, where I get to utilize my martial arts background. A couple of years ago, when zombies first started rising, I had a very fun role as a lead in a zombie film. Unfortunately, I was a 100% human and didn’t get to wear any cool zombie make-up or freaky contacts. A year ago, I filmed another lead role—this time in a werewolf project. Once again, I was very much human (shucks!). We filmed most scenes overnight, in the middle of a deep, dark forest of a tiny little town, in the freezing cold, with two “werewolves” running around! It was very eerie, but I got to play with swords and machetes, so I wasn’t too afraid.

 

Modeling is another way that I explore different characters and interesting worlds. For me, creating unique images is all about evoking emotion and telling a story. I’m sure that comes from the writer within me. Even in a basic catalogue shoot, I like to craft a narrative behind the picture. Last year, I teamed up with two partners that I met through the industry to establish a fashion/literary magazine. With lots of hard work and networking, the magazine has grown quickly and now has global audience. Our talented contributors include photographers, designers, writers, and artists from all over the world!

I do most of the brainstorming for my stories while travelling and being in nature. I love to hike, and spend most summers at a secluded little cottage in the woods. Imagine a hundred acres of woods, a private lake, no electricity, no running water, no cell phone service…Just you and the wilderness! Sounds like the perfect recipe for a scary movie, right?

I also enjoy photography, although only as a relaxing hobby. Last year, I spent a lot of time exploring abandoned towns, structures, and ruins around Ontario. I hope that I can one day write about the many stories that I have collected from these places. It all keeps coming back to writing, doesn’t it?!

I have a large extended family, and we’re very, very close. They are my biggest cheerleaders, and my most constrictive critics. I love to spend time with them whenever possible, whether we’re traveling together, playing silly board games, or simply having a—usually very loud and chaotic—family dinner. Of course, this includes my best friends, as well as my puppies, Caramilk and Oreo.

I have always been drawn to working with kids. I utilize my Degrees in Psychology and Education by volunteering in various elementary school classrooms. I’m currently working in a reading recovery program and teaching students to read. It is an extremely rewarding experience to be able to make even a tiniest bit of a difference in a child’s life.

I’m also a big TV and film junkie and love discussing my favorite TV shows. I probably watch every single show currently on air (and love reminiscing about some childhood favorites like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”).

All in all, no matter what I do, I strive to capture and record all of the wonderful experiences and memories that my adventures bring about. After all, they can sometimes inspire great stories! I put in a 110% into any project that I undertake. Aside from being a chocoholic, I’m also definitely a workaholic, but I enjoy what I do with all my heart! As for sleep? Well, that is another story altogether! :)

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Thanks for visiting us as part of your tour, Ada! Your other projects sound like a lot of fun and your dogs (especially Caramilk!) are adorable. =)

For more information about Ada and her book, check out the book website or her personal page. You can also find Ada on Facebook and Twitter.

Click on the banner to learn more about Ada's blog tour.

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Here's the scoop on REVAMPED:

A simple mission turned deadly.

Nineteen-year-old vampire Dawn has led a sheltered life within the confines of her father’s presidential headquarters. Upon being sent on a mission to revamp four goofy misfits into guardians of a peaceful little town of Angel Creek, Dawn believes that all her dreams have finally come true. What starts off as a simple task, turns into something unexpected, changing Dawn’s life forever and leading the action-loving, thrill-seeking vampire teen on a path of mystery, danger and intrigue.

When a human girl is kidnapped by a group of rogue vamps, Dawn discovers that there is more going on in Angel Creek than meets the eye. And it all connects to Ethan, the cute newcomer who seems too perfect to be true, Sebastian, the mysterious vampire with a turbulent past, and even Dawn herself. Dawn must not only succeed in revamping the troubled recruits, but must also prevent the vampire race from being overtaken by a malevolent villain who has a strange and obsessive fascination with her. As threat escalates, romance blooms, and ghosts from her past begin to surface, Dawn is sure of only one thing: her life will never be the same.

Jenn's thoughts

Read an excerpt

Purchase: Amazon

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Ada and Bewitching Blog Tours have provided one (1) Kindle copy of REVAMPED for a lucky reader!

To enter the giveaway, obey the Rafflecopter!

Open internationally
(as long as you can read Kindle files)

Ends Monday, May 7, 2012

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Do you guys have suggestions for who you’d like to see featured on the blog? If so, you can make your suggestions on this page. No guarantees that your favorite authors will be able to participate but we’ll try!

Authors, would you like to visit and share with us? Please email me at jennblogs (at) gmail (dot) com and we’ll set it up!

Posted by jenn at 07:58

 giveaway, Vampire, When I'm not writing  27 People left their mark

Born and raised in the Toronto area, Jenn moved to St. John's, Newfoundland, eight years ago for school. She's still in school (thankfully on another degree!), now trapped in her dissertation. When she's not dissertating, which happens more often than it should, Jenn spends her time reading, watching movies, playing volleyball, travelling, and enjoying the local music scene. Her latest addictions: yoga and Almond Crunch cereal.