Interview with A. Meredith Walters, Author of Butterfly Dreams

Butterfly Dreams is a romance but it is also a story of personal growth for both of the main characters. Corin is a woman who has been dealt with a bad hand in life. She lost both of her parents at an early age and that has fundamentally shaped the person she has become. She is neurotic. She is a hypochondriac. She is sarcastic and blunt. She has walls a mile high. But underneath all of that she is scared and wanting to connect with someone. Beckett on the other hand is a guy who has had his entire life turned upside down as a result of an unexpected heart attack. His world changes. He has to alter the person he was and he’s trying to keep a positive outlook. Corin and Beckett are two struggling people who come together to find a reason to live again.

Who are your literary heros working today? Why do you admire them?

Some of my biggest heroes are my friends. People I see who are writing extraordinary stories. Sawyer Bennett, Claire Riley, Brittainy C. Cherry, Penny Reid, LH Cosway, Stacey Lynn. These are fantastic women who are passionate about their stories and have some of the biggest hearts I’ve ever encountered.

What’s rocking your world this month?

I’m reading The Cellar by Natasha Preston. I got to hang out with Natasha at a recent book signing and picked up this book. It’s the first story in a long time that has captured my attention.

How did your background as a counselor effect your novels?

My characters and storylines are usually connected to my work as a counselor in someway. I like to write about what I know. About the people I’ve had the honor of interacting with. One example is the character of Ellie in Reclaiming the Sand. Her entire backstory was based on a young boy I worked with for over five years. I changed a few things here and there, of course, but so much of Ellie was this amazing boy. His story ended happily, just like Ellie’s.

What’s in your Netflix queue?

I’m currently binge watching The Fringe.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A writer definitely. But I also wanted to be a counselor and a meteorologist funnily enough.

What’s your favorite quote or scene from Butterfly Dreams?

I think my favorite scene is the brief one at the end from Beckett’s POV. I can’t say much about it without giving away the ending, but there was something about it that I just loved. And this quote has to be a personal favorite. Again it was from Beckett’s POV –
“I looked down at Corin and felt an intense pressure in the center of my chest that had nothing to do with a failing heart. And everything to do with it finally finding a reason to beat.”

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Never give up. That’s the best one and the most important. And don’t let negative people get you down. You have to shake them off and move on.

Connect with A. Meredith
Author Website
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