Author Spotlight AC Adams
Tell our readers briefly about yourself.
Hi, I’m AC! I just received my MFA, finally, and am probably going to be teaching at my university next fall. I live in Boston with my fiancée, Leila, and a bossy cat. I write an ongoing serial story on Kindle Vella called Finding Faith, a steamy fantasy romance, and fill the rest of my time as a barista because, well, bills won’t pay themselves!
What books do you have available?
I only have the one so far. Like I said, it’s called Finding Faith. It’s planned to be the first installment of a trilogy: Finding Faith, Testing Faith, and Having Faith, and the whole series is called Kalili’s Temptation.
Can you tell us about your most recent release?
Sure!
Kalili is a demon. That’s not unusual in 10th century Rome, a pit of depravity and sin.
Faith is an angel. That’s also not unusual, as the war for souls is ground zero in Rome.
Both Below and the Head Office are trying to outmaneuver each other, vying for power within the church, and Kalili and Faith both have their jobs to do.
But when they meet – at swordpoint, with Kalili on the wrong end – something strange happens.
Faith can’t kill Kalili.
And Kalili – is she attracted to Faith?
They have to figure out what’s going on, what their futures are, and what their employers will think when they find out.
Do you stay in one genre when you write or do you find yourself veering toward others?
This one is easy to stay in the lines! It’s a total fantasy romance. There have to be accurate historical bits, but I’m having fun playing with the whole demon-angel relationship.
Are you a panster, planner, or someone in between?
I’d say that I’m a plantser, because I know where I’m going, and have a pretty good idea of how I’m getting there, but I don’t have all the details in-between.
What is your writing routine like?
Right now it’s a question of squeezing in time to write whenever I can! Between my own studies (finished now!), and working in the coffeehouse, and my TA job and office hours for the undergrad classes, I don’t have much time to do anything else. But I always scrape together a few minutes a day.
Tell me about your favorite character that you’ve created?
I love Kalili, because she’s the main character and she’s so full of snark and attitude. But then she’s a six thousand year-old demon, so she’s also pretty cynical about how the world of humans works, and her employers Below. Faith coming along awakens her heart and so some of the story is about her coming to life again.
Where do you get your ideas for world building?
Geez, I don’t know. I’ve ready a bit of urban fantasy and supernatural fantasy, but this idea is almost a Romeo & Juliet minus the tragic ending. As for the location, I wanted to start the story in a time and place where it would be easy for readers to believe that there are all sorts of immortals running around.
Do you add romance to your writing?
It’s all about the romance! Though the beginning it’s much more about Kalili fighting against what she’s feeling, because she knows it ought to be impossible.
What was your favorite scene to create?
Right now? Kalili and Faith are walking in a tunnel under the palace – trust me, there’s a palace – because Kalili has to throw bloody clothes and sheets into the furnace, and they’re arguing. They’re both dancing around the attraction they feel, and the verbal sparring continues the whole walk until Faith finally has had enough and decides to prove the attraction is real by kissing Kalili. When immortals touch, they can see each other’s emotions (not so much thoughts, not without effort), and so this is the “yes we do/no we don’t” moment that really sets the next section going.
Where do you get character inspiration?
All over the place. I’m like a freakin sponge!
What genre do you prefer to read?
Okay, it’s kinda embarrassing, but I love an old-fashioned rom-com, with banter and snark and sparks.
What does your editing process look like?
Long and painful! No, it’s not that bad. One of the benefits of my MFA is I’ve learned how to edit and edit on the fly, so when I get to The End it’s not as bad as a typical first draft.
Do you have a preferred drink or snack that you eat/drink while writing?
Gimme my coffee!
When is your favorite time of day to write and why?
I’d love to write in the morning, and I can sometimes sneak in pieces here and there, but I’m usually too busy to get to it then. And why? That first caffeine hit is pure gold for ideas!
Marvel or DC? Do you have a favorite character?
Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman are both badass women and I am totally in love with them both!
What is something your readers don’t know about you or something unique about yourself?
I’m totally a Boston girl. Born here, went to school here, plan to stay here. But I can’t stand the Bruins or the Celtics (don’t tell anyone!)
What defines success for you as an author?
Having people love my stories and ask me what happens next for them!
What is your work space like?
Usually filled with cat. Or fiancée. Or both.
Do you have a selfcare routine that you follow?
At least once a week, totally disconnect from work, all work, and spend time with Leila. We don’t have to do anything together, but we definitely have to be present, you know?
What advice would you share with new or aspiring authors?
Listen to your gut. If you’re a reader, you know what makes for good writing. If what you write resonates with you, it’s going to resonate with other readers, so don’t stray from that! Editors and writing programs are great, but they don’t have your instincts.
Where can our readers find you?
I’m on Facebook and Twitter, just look for AC Adams Author, and I also have my own website where people can read snippets of the episodes and sign up to get a reminder when the new episode lands!
Book link: https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09VNRZLFZ
Website: www.kaliliandfaith.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ACAdamsAuth
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ACAdamsAuthor