The Calm After the Storm – TouchPoint Press
Bio-
Mya O’Malley was born and raised in the suburbs of New York City, where she currently lives with her husband, daughter and three step-daughters. The family also consists of a boxer, Destiny, and a ragdoll cat named Colby. Mya earned an undergraduate degree in special education and a graduate degree in reading and literacy. She works as a special education teacher and enjoys making a difference in the lives of her students. Mya’s passion is writing; she has been creating stories and poetry since she was a child. Mya spends her free time reading just about anything she can get her hands on. She is a romantic at heart and loves to create stories with unforgettable characters. Mya likes to travel; she has visited several Caribbean Islands, Mexico and Costa Rica. Mya is currently working on her ninth novel.
Interview with Author Mya O’Malley:
1.) How old were you when you realized that writing was what you wanted to do with your life?
-I have enjoyed writing since I was a small child. I can remember writing stories and poetry for my grandmother. I was amazed to find out years later, as an adult, that she kept all of my stories. As a child, I knew that somehow writing would always be an important part of my life.
2.) Who has inspired you the most along your journey as a writer?
-It would be so difficult to choose just one person who inspired me in my journey as a writer. My parents and grandmother have always inspired me to write because of their support and interest in my stories. My daughter has also inspired me, she is always asking what I’m writing about; I want to show my daughter that if you have a dream, you should never give up.
3.) How did you come up with the idea for The Calm After the Storm?
-The idea for my novel, The Calm After the Storm,came to me after experiencing Hurricane Sandy. I noticed out of state utility trucks in my area, there to help restore power. An idea came to me – what if one of the workers from down south fell in love with a local woman from NY? The story developed and many different factors came into play such as family drama and long distance relationships. Ultimately, I wished to create something positive and uplifting that resulted from such a devastating event. I thought that Emma and Jake shared a love that could withstand any storm, as long as they could put their pride aside and endure many obstacles
4.) How did you come up with the title?
-I felt that my characters, Emma and Jake, had finally reached calmness and peace in their lives after going through a difficult time. The fact that the storm tied into the storyline seemed perfect.
5.) What advice would you give to others who are interested in/or currently working towards becoming a published author.
-I would advise beginning authors to keep writing and never give up on their dream of becoming a published author. An author always writes, so if your first story hasn’t been published, write another one and perfect your craft as you continue on your journey.
6.) What books/authors have influenced your writing?
-I love Nicholas Sparks. He has a gift for creating inspiring love stories that evoke emotion. His characters stay with you long after you have finished reading his stories. I also enjoy reading Liane Moriarty. Her books are fresh and give a humorous spin on reality.
7.) Do you ever experience writer’s block?
-I would have to say that thinking about the idea for my next book is always the most challenging aspect of writing for me at this time. I often have bits and pieces for my next idea and find outlining the plot ahead of time to be helpful. Changes can always be made after the first draft is complete.
8.) Do you write an outline before every book you write?
-As stated above, I generally create an outline of ideas and then take notes to get my thoughts out while I’m writing. Sometimes I know how the plot will develop before finishing my story and other times I find that I’m changing the elements of my story as I write.
9.) What is your favorite time of the day to write and your favorite place to write?
-Any time of day is my favorite time to write. I get caught up in my story and lose track of time when I’m writing. I enjoy working from home, I can relax and grab a cup of coffee and write for hours at a time.
10.) What does your hero love most about your heroine? What does your heroine love most about your hero?
-My hero, Jake, loves everything about Emma. He loves her independence, her kindness towards his young daughter and her big heart. My heroine, Emma loves the way that Jake makes her feel. She adores how much he loves his little girl, Shelley, and how he would give up his own happiness to do the right thing for others. She loves his strong values and morals.
11.) If you had to cast actors to play your main characters, which actors/actresses would you choose?
-For Jake, I would choose Gerard Butler or Grant Show. For Emma, I would choose Rachel McAdams.
Where to get The Calm After the Storm:
~Author links:~
Facebook: Facebook.com/myaomalley
Twitter: @MyaOMalley
Amazon: amazon.com/author/myaomalley
Website: www.myaomalley.com
Instagram: myaomalley
Blog: myaomalley.blogspot.com
TouchPoint Press 
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