1. Introduce yourself; who are you and what types of books do you write?
My name is Mandy Tremelling. I live in a quickly growing area of northern Utah with my loving husband and daughter, yellow lab and two cats. The first degree I received was in criminal justice and my second in social work as I prepared for my dream job in child welfare, which I am now enjoying very much. I love music and I write YA fiction! My previous projects have all been dystopian novels. My current project is my first step into fantasy. I have worked in the YA age group for so long and would like to start branching into NA.
2. What are your books about?
My published novel MY WORLD OF GLASS is about an orphaned teenager named Dessa who was put into the workforce and subsequently failed by the system, which was supposed to replace the foster system. When she kills her abusive mistress, Dessa goes on the run to escape the legal consequences of her actions. At the same time, Demetri is on the other side of town believing the orphaned girl in the news is more than she appears. It’s up to him and his loved ones to help Dessa understand what is happening to her before her world turns upside down permanently.
3. What was the inspiration behind writing your first book?
I wish I had more to tell you, but I remember brushing my teeth one night and having a young man named Demetri walk into my mind and introduce himself, then introduce his friends to me (that scene actually appears in the book!). The whole story was given to me by the characters and just flowed very easily. The one time I tried to plan out a plot twist Demetri took it, laughed in my face, ripped it up, and changed the plan completely. MY WORLD OF GLASS wasn’t my story, it was theirs, and I was just their microphone.
4. What did you learn while writing your second book?
I wanted to challenge myself for my next full-length novel. I changed genres and became a “plotter” instead of a “pantser” and planned out my story. I learned lots of tricks to planning a book and have met so many people on this journey. I’m learning how to utilize networking and marketing. And I’m learning to advocate for my book. So much more goes into writing a book than just putting the words to paper - in fact, that is the simplest part. It’s been a lot to learn over the last several years but I am so grateful for this journey.
5. What is the most rewarding part of being an author?
My favorite part of being an author has honestly been hearing my mom tell me she didn’t know I had so many stories in my head, and her amazement at how easy it is for me to write these stories. And along those same lines, hearing my readers tell me over and over how my book was a one-sitting read. I know how it feels to not be able to put books down and to hear other people have the same opinion of my work is absolutely amazing.
6. What elements do you think make for a good story?
My biggest element I look for is complex characters. I feel like it is so much more enjoyable than characters who are only “two-dimensional”. Having multiple goals or stakes is super helpful for that. I like having characters who surprise me or leave me longing for more.
7. What is the hardest part of being an author for you?
The networking, honestly. I can say I hate the editing process (it’s really not my cup of tea but I get through it), but the networking process is the hardest part for me.
8. What is your current writing project?
I am currently working on a YA fantasy, like I previously mentioned. It is a retelling of the Merlin/King Arthur/Knights of the round table story. When Megara murders Merlin she must pursue her purpose as a fated protector, before vengeful King Arthur destroys all of the magic and kills the ones she loves.
9. What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
You are the first reader. You know how it ends; you know all of the twists and turns. It’s going to feel boring and predictable, because it is to you. That is okay. Get your story down and look for improvement later. Forget about the backspace. In your first draft don’t delete anything. Just move forward. And if you get to a point that’s hard to get past or you get writer’s block, put what happens in that scene in brackets and move on. Come back to it later when you move past the block or even in the next draft.
10. Where can readers discover more about you and your books?
I have a Facebook page (Rose Winters - Mandy Tremelling - Author) and X. Follow me there and learn when I get my website back up and running!
You can find MY WORLD OF GLASS (by Mandy Tremelling) on Amazon, B&N, audible, or wherever you buy your books.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mandyTremmy/