Fighting Prose Interview with A.N. Willis!
Welcome to my in-depth writers series Fighting Prose. Where I talk to authors in the industry on what their process is like and what it takes for them to keep on creating, through all the odds.
A.N. Willis
is my interview this week!
How long have you been writing?
About 8 years
If you’ve written several books, which is your favorite?
Under Glass And Stone
What's your favorite genre to read? Write?
Thrillers of all types are my favorite to read, though I love all genres. To write, I love having some sort of supernatural or otherworldly element--whether it's ghosts or sci-fi. And I am growing to love historical settings, especially when there's a mystery involved.
How do you get in the mood to write?
Ideally, I write in the morning or at night when everything else is quiet. I like to visualize the scene first before I put down words. But many days, I squeeze in writing time whenever I can, and I just dive in.
How do your characters come together?
I usually feel that people are the sum of their experiences, so I get to know my characters through their backstories.
How do you get your ideas?
Anywhere! Especially reading history.
Who do you admire in the writing world?
Dan Simmons, because he writes masterfully in so many genres.
If you're not busy writing, what are you busy doing?
Homeschooling my kiddo and reading books.
Have you always been creative?
I need creative outlets for my sanity, and I've loved making up stories since I was a kid. But I was only brave enough to write a novel as an adult.
Have you ever had writers block? If so, how did you get out of it?
Yes! Writer's block is the worst. For me, it comes from fear. I explored my creativity in other areas, like poetry and ceramics. It helped me get in touch with why I'm a writer in the first place--I love to create stories.
When you sit down to write, is it easy or hard? If it's hard, what makes you keep showing up?
Hard at first, but it always gets easier. Anything worth doing is hard.
For a writer starting out what advice would you give them?
Write as much as you can, but pick one project and stick with it until it's done. Then write another. Learn as much as you can as you go, and don't be afraid to fail.
What is your dream writing location?
A secluded cabin in the mountains with food delivered to my door.
In reference to your books, what question do you get asked the most?
How did you come up with this? The answer: I don't know. The subconscious is weird.
If you could bring one of your characters to life who would it be? Why?
That would have to be Thomas, a protagonist in a new novel that I just started writing. He's a detective in 1880s Colorado, and he's going to be quite dreamy.
What do you think makes a good story?
Tension
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
A Broadway actress and singer
“Thank you for letting me interview you and Good Luck with everything A.N.! ”
If you happen to know an author that would be great for my Fighting Prose series be sure to send them my way!
Thanks for reading!
XoXo-
Colleen
