Hey there, readers! Kendra Cassidy here—retired Admiral, troublemaker, and your guide to the fascinating minds behind the books you love. Today, I’m sitting down with Mandy O’Dell, a storyteller whose passion for romance, history, and just the right amount of ghostly chills has made her a name to watch in the indie book world.
Mandy’s love for stories started early—she was the kind of kid who stayed up way past bedtime, lost in the pages of a good book. She even carried around a binder filled with handwritten pages of her very own Civil War romance (think Gone with the Wind meets 90s teenage angst). Fast forward a few years, and now it’s a laptop fueling her imagination, but the habit of staying up way too late reading? Yeah, that one stuck.
When she’s not weaving stories filled with mystery, romance, and a little bit of the unexpected, Mandy can be found in Northwest Arkansas with her husband and their ever-growing family of rescue animals. If there’s a stray that needs a home, Mandy’s got a spot for it—though Duke, the resident dog, might argue that his love is all she really needs.
Between writing, working at a pet treat facility (a job her furry crew thoroughly inspects her for every night), and binge-watching British murder mysteries and baking shows, Mandy keeps plenty busy. But today, she’s taking some time to chat with us about her writing process, her favorite tropes, and what’s coming next.
Want to check out Mandy’s books and stay connected? You can find her here:
📚 Amazon: Mandy O’Dell on Amazon
🌍 Website: www.mandyodellbooks.com
📘 Facebook: Mandy O’Dell Books
🐯 Facebook Group: Mandy’s Tiger Den
📷 Instagram: @mandyodellbooks
✉️ Email: mandyodellbooks@gmail.com
Now, let’s dive into this interview and see what makes Mandy’s stories—and her writing journey—so special!
Firefly – gone too soon or overrated? Gone way too soon
A book that pleasantly surprised you? Trapped by Clocks and Hearts By SL Breaker - A delightful read and a great spin on Alice and Wonderland.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? Yooooung! I learned the alphabet early helping my parents with their home business and was so enamored with stories. Started telling them as soon as I could. Only a few got me in trouble haha
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? My all time favorite is Howl’s Moving Castle, the book, not the movie. I love it so much that in homage, every story I write has a character named Sophie in it somewhere.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books? Not to be cliche, but a lot of times I get dreams. I had one of a tiger walking down the canals of Venice and he was the only thing moving. My Tigers of Caprica came from that one image I dreamt. I love to drive and listen to music and I spark a lot of ideas that way. Music is integral for me. Showers are a good place for ideas too.
Is there a trope you find yourself going back to in multiple works? Or one you avoid? I love a good enemies to lovers, but I don’t like love triangles. I always pick the wrong guy and get my heart broken.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? I have learned so much about myself in writing my books. I have worked through some hard times and trauma on the page, it’s been so therapeutic for me. I love my therapist, but a tiny, mouthy unicorn always has the best answers to life’s problems.
Do you have any suggestions to help someone become a better writer? If so, what are they? Someone told me this early on when I decided to start writing and I pass it on every chance I get. Read! As much as you can, as often as you can and as widely as you can. Different genres and styles. Soak it up like a sponge.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say? I adore my readers. I have a pretty active facebook group - Mandy’s Tiger Den and to find people that not only enjoy the worlds I’ve created, but are so fun to be around and interact with has been amazing. I count each one as a friend. And I get almost all of my book recs from them. Oh and for anyone of them reading…Pecan Pie for the win! (total inside joke)
What do you think makes a good story? The dedication of the author. I’ve always heard - no tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. I think that is so true. If the writer can really connect with their characters and their story, it makes for a better story, in my humble little opinion.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? Believe it or not, a boring old history professor. I adore history and I wanted to share that.
What is the first book that made you cry? I’m gonna say the Bridge to Terabithia. Ugh, still gets me.
Does writing energize or exhaust you? Both…when I’m slogging through the middle, or my characters aren’t talking to me, it’s exhausting. But there is no better feeling than when the story, the scene, whatever it is, clicks in my head and it’s all laid out beautifully in front of me. It’s electric.
What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer? I am close with Kimberly Loth (we co-wrote The Curse of Jenny Greene together), Cat Collins and others. Like sharpens like, right? We bounce ideas off each other. We read for each other and we can vent to each other. It’s important to have people who understand why we put ourselves through some of the things we do. Even though we write in different genres, we are a village and believe me, it takes one.
Who shot first, Han or Greedo? Greedo, Han would never hahaha adorable little scoundrel that he is.
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer? Good editors, I have some amazing talent helping me edit and I’d be lost without them. And a good PA. Mine is a rockstar and I would get nothing accomplished without her. Like for real, she even reminds me to do my taxes. I love you, Phi!!!!
Are you traditionally or self published? Or both? Do you feel there are advantages to one over the other? I’m indie published. For me, it was the better route. I did a lot of querying and tried to become trad pubbed initially, then I saw friends though who did go the traditional route and it wasn’t everything they’d dreamed of. Trad is amazing, just not for me. With the indie route, I have total control…for better or worse, the buck stops with me.
What do you owe the real people upon whom you base your characters, if anything? An honest portrayal, if I ever do that. Not saying I do, haha
What is the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything? I’m pretty sure it’s books, but M&M’s are a close second.
What does literary success look like to you? Having readers. Making other people feel something with my story. There is nothing better than that. I may never make a million dollars, but if I made someone happy, I’m all good.
What do you have coming next? I finished my second trilogy (Witch Stone) back in August 24. I’ve been brewing something new in my little brain since. I’ve been very hush hush about it. But I can say it will have talking animals and someone named Sophie.