Interview with Anne K. Edwards [annekedwards] on Whohub

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What did you first read? How did you begin to write? Who were the first to read what you wrote?

I started writing at age 9 or so. My mother and teachers encouraged me to keep writing even though the stuff I wrote was--well--childish... My early reading was a varied sort of thing. I spent a lot of time in the library as a child reading adventure books and history. I stayed away from things like the Bobsey twins because of the repetitious type of tales and for some reason I rarely read books the teachers recommended.

What is your favorite genre? Can you provide a link to a site where we can read some of your work or learn something about it?

I love mysteries and history. You can visit my publisher http://www.twilighttimesbooks.com and read an excerpt of my books--Death on Delivery, Jeremy and the Dragon, The Last to Fall and The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing which I am co-author with Mayra Calvani. My website http://www.Mysteryfiction.net is used as promotion for other online authors whose work I enjoy.

What is your creative process like? What happens before sitting down to write?

I don't have a writing routine since I have animals that require attention and like children they demand to be first in my day. But when I do sit down to write I open my mind by focusing on what I'm writing and it sort of flows from there. I don't outline or do research much or consciously plan what I'm going to say, the characters or subject take over. I can't describe the process except to say that it seems to come from a subconscious level rather than my actively thinking about what I want to say.

What type of reading inspires you to write?

A really good mystery, articles in the newspaper.

What do you think are the basic ingredients of a story?

A balanced plot with characters you find interesting and want to know more about--the reader must be able to get to know them. The writing must have a certain sparkle or bounce. The writer must know the background of the story so the reader can 'see' it, yet not bog the story down with too much details. Good grammar and a knowledge of the writing craft are also very important. However, the writer of any story must speak to the reader in such a way that they forget they are reading a tale and become part of it, as if they are one of the characters. Lastly, the story must stir a reader's emotions for it become an experience instead of just words on the page.

What voice do you find most to your liking: first person or third person?

Third person as it lets the writer see all events to describe them. The author lets the characters speak to the reader and may present more than one character's point of view.

What well known writers do you admire most?

Probably those I'd call my favorite authors. Anne McCaffrey, John Hillerman, Agatha Christie, Anne Perry, Jack Higgins--all for ease of reading.

What is required for a character to be believable? How do you create yours?

A depth of personality or what you might call being lifelike with the same emotions and thinking processes that motivate people we know or meet in everyday life.
When I'm creating a character, I try to become that person--to step into their shoes and see how I'd act if I were them. This means being able to understand how a killer or victim or detective or ordinary person feels about some thing or person. In Death on Delivery, I met a character named Freda who was emotionally repressed. She fixated on a neighbor man and reached the point she thought he could actually love her. Her life was an empty round of verbal abuse from an aunt and a cousin she grew to hate because they treated her like a slave.
So to develop a character, I must understand their history and present circumstances and how they react to those around them. It's an outgrowth one might say of being a child playing dress-up or let's pretend.

Are you equally good at telling stories orally?

I like to think so, but rarely do this. I did as a child however and I think that helped me become interested in writing.

Deep down inside, who do you write for?

Myself and the characters who want their stories told.

Is writing a form of personal therapy? Are internal conflicts a creative force?

This is a toughie. Writing can be used to vent emotions or express feelings about a subject one wouldn't say aloud. If someone I care about really annoys or hurts me, I may write them a long letter expressing whatever feelings I have and then NOT mail it or email it. That way I've said what I wanted on a subject, but not returned the hurt or irritation. But it gets rid of the need to have the last word in an argument or the resentment I might feel.
Internal conflicts can drive one to write about a subject. Understanding emotions or thought processes gives the writer entry into a character's mind and it is the characters who, after all, drive the story. A writer simply uses these emotions or thoughts by exaggerating them to give a character credibility. For instance, if you feel strongly about thievery and someone close to you has stolen from you, while you may not be able to prove what you are sure of, and this is an internal conflict because you can't accuse them without proof and not make yourself look a fool, you may write a story about this same subject so turn your feelings into something positive and creative.

Does reader feed-back help you?

Absolutely. It's one of the best things about joining a critique group. Seeing your work through others' eyes can help improve your writing providing the criticism is not done out of some form of spite or meanness.

Do you participate in competitions? Have you received any awards?

I don't write for competitions as time is one large factor here. However, one book I'm a coauthor on, The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing, has been a Finalist in two competitions.

Do you share rough drafts of your writings with someone whose opinion you trust?

Yes. This is the same as being a member of a critique group. Others can spot a weakness or flaw in your writing that you can. This is faster than letting a manuscript lay for some months until your objectivity about it can kick in.

Do you believe you have already found "your voice" or is that something one is always searching for?

I think a writer's voice is constantly changing as they write. Each tale I write is a little different from the one before it. It's a natural part of a writer's development.

What discipline do you impose on yourself regarding schedules, goals, etc.?

I have very little discipline because something is always coming up to distract me. So I developed the habit of writing where and when I can or have the time.

What do you surround yourself with in your work area in order to help your concentrate?

I have a window I like to stare out when I first start writing. It helps me focus. Beyond that, I don't keep anything specific nearby unless I run off a copy of what I've already written so I can refer to it as I reach the end. It serves as a form of self editing as I write.

Do you write on a computer? Do you print frequently? Do you correct on paper? What is your process?

I use a computer to write. I do not print anything until I'm nearing the end. The printed copy then serves to catch loose ends, typos and a way to read through an item away from the computer. I do correct on that copy and then correct on computer copy. This is the process I use on all writing.

What sites do you frequent on-line to share experiences or information?

No sites but I do exchange ideas and experiences or information with other authors via email. I am a member of several Yahoo groups also and at times post to them when I have something relevant to say.

What has been your experience with publishers?

This one depends on which publishers you mean. If you mean the large houses, I haven't bothered with them for about 20 years. They want agented work only, the agents want writers who are already established, so I don't waste mine or their time in keeping trying to get them to notice me.
The online and small presses are another matter entirely. They have proven to be writer friendly in all things--that is most of these presses. There are a few who are simply not author friendly so it pays to check with fellow authors before signing.
My first experience with online publisher was an ebook press that simply posted the work after they provided a cover. They did not even advertise themselves beyond advertising to writers to submit to them. Unfortunately, they had several really good authors in their group. A split between owners and staff disrupted their business so they no longer are in business.
My second experience was with a nice publisher who shortly sold out so I took my book back as I didn't know the new owners. I believe an owner should tell the author if the business is for sale.
Then I sent a manuscript to a printer doing business as a publisher. It did not prove to be a good choice.
I finally lucked out and found my present publisher Twilight Times Books, a company that has grown from ebook publisher to trade paperback publisher. This company has a reputation for quality and growth continues. I can't say how pleased I am to be one of their authors.
Basically, I should have checked out the first publishers, but being inexperienced and like most first time authors, I desperately wanted to see my book in ebook or paperback format. I consider it all part of the learning process now, but it wasn't painless.

What are you working on now?

I have two books in process. Both are second books in a series. Jeremy and the Dragon is being followed by a second adventure for the boy and dragon. The other is a mystery series of which Death on Delivery was first, with a second tale nearly finished. I also have a zillion other things I want to write...smile

What do you recommend I do with all those things I wrote years ago but have never been able to bring myself to show anyone?

This is an easy one. Most authors, new or much published, have a file of things they wrote as unpublished authors. Some of the material is good and some is not.
The good thing about having kept it is, you may reach a point where you can open up to someone other than family or friend and let them read a bit of it. Their feedback often helps you decide to keep trying or not. By this I mean, whether you write to get published or write to satisfy yourself and don't care if you are ever published.
Since most of us want to be published, no matter how shy we are, or even if someone close to us had laughed at our efforts, the best thing to do is join a writers group, and be prepared to learn what you need to do to get published. A writer needs to develop a tough hide at this phase or you'll never survive the effort.
So, before you toss something you've written, or offer it to a publisher, read it over objectively. Decide if it merits salvaging or tossing and proceed from there. You can reduce your pile to a manageable few manuscripts for improvement, rewriting or critiquing. The truth is that not everything we write is worth saving and somethings are too good not to finish.
If you are afraid to go face-to-face with someone on reading your work, join an online critique group for your genre. It will help. If you want to join a critique group with 'real' people then you can check with your library as they might know of a group to join.
Lastly, I strongly recommend taking at least one creative writing course and read, read, read. Writing is a craft and like building a house or cooking a meal, we need to learn the basics before we can be called an author or published author.

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