Indie Romance Feature Friday: Anna P.

Indie romance authors being interviewed about their books? Yes, please!

Welcome to this monthly series. On the last Friday of each month, I’ll introduce you to an indie romance author and give them the microphone for a while so they can talk a little bit about their work.

I’m excited today to chat with Anna P., another indie author friend of mine! She has several amazing books out now, that you should definitely check out. But I’ll let her talk about them! So, without further ado, let’s read a little bit about Anna!

When did you start writing? What inspired you to start?

I've been writing my whole life, but I started writing with the intention to publish in the middle of the pandemic. My job was weighing me down and I was miserable and tired, and romance novels were really helping me get my head on straight. So I figured, okay, let's see if I can do this too. And here I am!

Describe yourself in three words!

Sarcastic, determined, introverted

Describe your book(s) in 3 words!

Food, friendship and fun!

What is your subgenre of romance? Is (are) your book(s) spicy? If so, how spicy?

I think it's just contemporary romance? And yes, my books are spicy. I would put them at 3 or 4 flames/chilies. My characters are very comfortable in their sexuality and I enjoy writing those scenes.

What comes first for you, the plot or the characters? Is this different for each book you write? Why do you think that is?

Oooh, good one. Um, the plot. It's usually something that comes up in a dream. And then I think of characters. Though, with my debut series, I wrote the first one based on things I wanted to see in romance novels and as I was writing the secondary characters, their stories just came to me.

Why do you write?

What a tough question! 😂 I guess I write because I want to tell stories that I don't see in the genre enough. I write because it's liberating to put all these vague thoughts in my head onto paper and watch it blossom into something else.

What is your favorite part of the writing process and why?

The editing post beta/editor eyes for sure. Lots of authors don't like this part, but I do. There's something about reconnecting with these characters after you've written them and shared them with a few people. I can see the story through someone else's eyes and that really gives me depth to my own characters.

Describe your writing space.

I've got this desk that belonged to my grandfather (so it's like 100+ years old) and somehow, sitting there and working just inspires me. I've got books around me, I've got bookish knick-knacks and all the things that I've collected over the years. Plus, big windows that brings in lots of light and I'm surrounded by greenery. So I feel like it's my little slice of heaven!

What is your least favorite part of the writing process and why?

The writing part LOL I will admit that the first draft is always the hardest, because as a perfectionist, I want it to be absolutely spectacular and I know it won't be. Just getting those words down and making sense of it all is really so hard and I struggle sometimes. But it's part of the journey!

Tell us a little about your book(s)! What are they about? What inspired them? When were they/will they be published?

My debut series (Love in Wildes) has three books out right now, with a fourth on the way. They're interconnected standalones that follow a group of friends as they navigate life, mental health, work, love and everything that comes with all those things. They're all available in Kindle Unlimited (for now) and paperbacks are available through Amazon as well.

What is the biggest lesson you've learned from writing and publishing your book(s) so far?

It's a marathon, not a sprint. I need to get this printed and put on my wall, because I need to remind myself that success comes in different ways and to people at different times. Also to definitely ask my imposter syndrome to GTFO because we don't have time for this nonsense in this house.

Which of your main characters would you most like to be friends with in real life and why?

Oh, Frankie Willows (from Almost Forevers) and Lachlan James (from Almost Home) for sure. Frankie's probably my favourite FMC ever, she's got a lot of my personality traits, but she's also the kind of person I would aspire to be. She makes a great friend. Lachlan is just charming and he cooks, so I'd get all the food too? Sure.

Do you eat or drink while you are writing, editing, or doing other writerly things? If so, what's your go-to snack and drink?

I keep it simple—water and tea are my beverages of choice, biscuits and sometimes popcorn are my snack choices. I don't like getting my fingers too messy while typing, it distracts me from what I'm doing.

When you’re writing an emotional or difficult scene, how do you set the mood?

I turn off all my music and focus on myself. I find that less distractions and other sources of emotional adjustment really ruins the mood.

Has writing and publishing a book changed the way you see yourself? If so, how?

I mean...I have generally low self-esteem, so it's not like being an author has made that worse, it's just made it more pronounced? LOL

What does success as an author look like for you? 

Ah, this question is a good one. Success, to me, is when people care enough about your books to pick them up, talk about them and share them with their friends. Success is when someone DM's you and says your book made an impact on their lives. Success is seeing someone tattoo elements from your book onto their bodies.

What advice would you give an aspiring author?

If you have a story to tell, write it down. Don't worry about what'll happen six months from now, think about putting your pen to paper/fingers to keyboard and writing that story out. The world is waiting for your story and you owe it to yourself to write it.

What was your last 5-star read and why did you love it?

Passing Through by Katia Rose. She writes such great queer romances and this one is set in a small town, with family hilariousness and drama and a campground and it was all kinds of wonderful.

Where can we follow you on social media?

https://annawriteshere.com/links (everything can be found there)

Thank you to Anna for answering these questions and allowing me to feature her on my newsletter!

If you are an indie romance author who would like to be featured, or if you know someone who fits the bill and would be interested, you (or they) can fill out the interview form here! Filling out the form is not a guarantee you will be featured. Please read all disclaimers on the form carefully before submitting. Thank you!