Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.
Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?
Hi, I’m Amy Orr, 34.
Fiona: Where are you from?
Originally I’m from Britain, but I now live (very happily) in Ontario.
Fiona: A little about your self (ie, your education, family life, etc.).
My education was pretty varied – I did astrophysics, and then finance. Neither stuck! I’m married with two beautiful rescue greyhounds, living in a very random but lovely Canadian town. I spend a lot of my time volunteering, and the rest working or enjoying my silly family.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news.
I became a Canadian citizen in January! Very excited about that! We’ve been here for eight years, but it’s nice to know we have the passport!
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I just always thought it was fun.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
About two years ago, when I realized I actually liked something I’d written!
Fiona: What inspired you to write your book?
I’d been jotting down notes for myself for ages, little things I wish I’d read elsewhere, and eventually realized I could make a short book out of it all. It came about pretty organically.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
The publisher actually came up with the title – I can’t take any credit!
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?
My style is pretty matter-of-fact; I’m working on making my writing more lyrical and expressive, as now I tend towards brevity and simplicity which can sometimes be too stark.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
The whole book is realistic and based on my life! Every aspect of it is specifically written to be applicable to anyone in chronic pain.
Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?
I travel quite a bit to visit family and for fun, but I don’t travel to write. Who has the money?!
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
Roberto Nunez, at Mango Publishing.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Well it’s non-fiction, but I want my readers to know that they can have a good life with chronic pain. It’s not one or the other.
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?
I love Ursula Le Guin, but she’s pretty established at this point! She’s just such a good world-builder. I also love Iain Banks for his imagination, and Daphne Du Maurier for her readability,
Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.
Smashwords.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
Yes, absolutely. I subsidize my personal writing with paid writing gigs.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
No, I’m pretty OK with it!
Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
That I knew more than I thought, and that I don’t give myself enough credit for how far I’ve come since I first started experiencing chronic pain.
Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
Emma Stone.
Fiona: Any advice for other writers?
Keep writing. I truly believe that it’s just about perseverance.
Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
You are stronger than you think.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
Always Coming Home, by Ursula Le Guin.
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
I think it was about wobbly jello…
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
Anything stupid/silly makes me laugh. Cruelty to animals makes me cry (even fictional).
Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?
James Stewart, cos he reminds me of my grandfather.
Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?
I volunteer a lot, and am a TV-holic. Also painting when I get the chance,
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
So many! At the moment I’m bingeing Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Legion.
Fiona: Favorite foods, colors, music?
Radiohead; but otherwise it depends on my mood.
Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?
Probably be a full-time volunteer.
Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?
With my husband and dogs.
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone?
“Alive for a bit.”
Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?
Yes! Citizen-pain.blogspot.com, and www.amyorrbooks.com
Website link: www.amyorrbooks.com
Blog link: https://citizen-pain.blogspot.com/
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Amy-Orr/e/B07S5GG26M
THANK YOU!
authorsinterviews 
I’ve always felt it important to like my own work – to be honest perhaps I’m just overly prideful, but I’ve always liked my work. Sure some of that is completion bias – I wouldn’t finish it if I didn’t like it. That’s not to say my earlier books couldn’t be improved, but I’m still mostly pleased with them. May you always enjoy the process and results of your writing. Best of luck to you.