Amanda's books are a welcome gift for young adult readers. While her topics are considered "edgy", they are critical to the readers who want to believe that they are "normal". Young Adult books often reach young people who have or cannot talk to anyone about the difficulties in their lives. Many books, such as Amanda's are so necessary for this exceptional age group. Her character's are fully developed and really speak to the reader.
Her books cover topics such as homosexuality, suicide, drug abuse and depression. Please read her books for the compelling plots,exceptional characterization and as exceptional examples of what good writing looks like.
"Damage", Harper Collins Publisher, 2001. ISBN: 0-06-029100-1
"Out of Order", Harper Collins Publisher, 2003. ISBN: 0-06-623968-0
"Breaking Boxes", Delacorte Press, 1997. ISBN: 0-385-32513-4
Amanda was born and raised in Texas and currently lives in Benbrook with her sons and their many pets.
SR: 1. Amanda, you write for the YA crowd. Your books are called "compelling", "edgy" and "controversial". What draws you as a writer to this particular genre?
AM: I don't really write to any particular audience; I write about characters that interest me, that I can spend days, months, weeks, years with, and yet still look forward to being with them and peeling them apart every day. I like to be free to explore any aspect of these characters, and I like to write as tightly as possible, in a straight line without many digressions. Luckily for me, all this also fits into a niche called "YA".
SR: 2. Your so great at developing "real" characters, like Charlie Calmont in "Breaking Boxes", Colt Trammel, "Out of Order" and Austin Reid from your novel,"Damage". How is it you are so skilled at creating male protagonists?
AM: I don't know that I'm skilled. I try to be honest and nonjudgmental. I grew up among friends who were boys, and spent time tagging along after my boy cousins, so that may have something to do with feeling comfortable with their conversations. I think it's hard for adults, mothers and teachers especially, to be nonjudgmental about boys' thoughts and feelings, as well as the way they sometimes express
