I want to first thank Anna Kristell for taking the time for this interview!
Bio:
International bestselling author, Anna Kristell, is a small-town gal from southern Indiana with a passion for romance. She has lived in Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and now resides in Florida with her husband, where she enjoys sunshine and beaches.
An avid romance reader since her teen years, it has always been her dream to create love stories of her own. Anna also spicy romance as Isabella Kole and non-fiction and children's books as Marla Williams-VanHoy.
When and how did you know you wanted to be a
writer?
I started writing as early as second grade, way back in the sixties. I was an avid reader, always ahead of my grade level. I was always making up stories in my head.
Did you have any influencing writers growing up?
Oh, gosh, I read everything, but as I got older, my favorite was romance.
I devoured Harlequins and read a lot of Danielle Steele and many of the other authors of the time.
Are any of your characters based on people in real life?
My very first book, Crossroad to Love, was about a group of lifelong friends.
It was based loosely on that group but none of the characters were real.
Where do you draw your book inspirations from?
Everywhere!
A song, my life, lives of those around me, a place, my overimaginative mind.
Relationships intrigue me.
Do you use have a basic outline when starting
a new story or do you let the characters lead the way?
I start out with a basic outline, but as we all know, characters usually have a mind of their own.
When you are picturing the characters in your book, do you have a cheater photo for inspiration?
Not really. I choose the characteristics of each one and go from there.
Many people read as a form of escape and relaxation. What is your favorite way to sit back and relax?
I enjoy reading, walking on the beach, dinner out, and an occasional spin at the slot machines. I also love to travel.
Who are your favorite current authors to read?
Since I read for a living now, it's harder to find time for recreational reading.
Jill Shannon is a favorite, as are Sheri Lynn, Anne Welch, and several others.
What are your favorite books by others?
Kat Carrington's A Strong Man's Hand series is a favorite.
Do the locations in the stories have any meaning to you?
Definitely
Do you write in single or multiple POV?
Usually one, but occasionally I will delve into one of the other POVs for a chapter or two.
What do you find to be your best research tool?
Experience and the internet.
Do you write under a pen name? Also, do you write under more than one name?
I write sweet romance as Anna Kristell, spicy romance as Isabella Kole, and my non-fiction and children's books are written as Marla Williams-VanHoy.
What genre do you write and why is this your preference?
I write romance in many sub-genres. It's always been my favorite.
I also write non-ficton and children's books.
Tell me something about yourself outside of writing. Jobs, accomplishments, family, quirky traits....what led to you being you?
I worked in medical offices and various other jobs for many years.
Since retirement, I am doing a job I love, editing and working for a publisher, helping with several duties. I always say it's the perfect retirement job for me.
I am the mother of a son, daughter, and bonus daughter and Nana to six.
My friends and family call me The Diva because I am just a bit OCD.
I am a girly-girl who loves to shop. Shoes and purses are my weaknesses.
If you are a duo writing team, how do you share the writing process?
I have co-written a book with Anne Welch and a series with Sheri Lynn.
We each chose a character and traded chapters back and forth.
What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?
Don't give up!
Go over that manuscript over and over again until it's the best it can possibly be, then start submitting it.
Don’t let rejections get you down. Remember that Harry Potter was rejected 13 times before being contracted.
Dust yourself off and try again.
I hope that you enjoy it as much as I have!
Make sure to give Anna a shout-out and FOLLOW her on all her social media!
Connect w/ Anna:
Email: annakristell6@gmail.com
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