Ask the Author: Anna Vaught

“Ask me a question.” Anna Vaught

Answered Questions (6)

Sort By:

An error occurred while sorting questions for author Anna Vaught.

Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

Anna Vaught Honestly? What happened to me. The book began life as a memoir because I wanted to write about a little girl's tight construction of imaginary worlds and coterie of imaginary friends. And that little girl was a bit scared and a bit confused. She grew up - and carried the imaginaries with her through difficult experience and through mental illness; made herself a character in a black comedy; grew expansive characters for her imaginary friends. Told no-one until, as an adult, she could go no further. That was me. So the book is described as fiction, but it draws very much on my own experiences: maybe you'll think they were stranger than fiction!

flag

like
Comment

How do you get inspired to write?

Anna Vaught A myriad things in every sphere of life. But the important things are these: write even when you are not inspired because it's a discipline and training for you and, also, discover that sometimes you find an inspiration once you have started writing and not before. Joan Didion wrote that she didn't know what she thought until she wrote about it. That was a useful maxim, too.

flag

like
Comment

What are you currently working on?

Anna Vaught I am writing the next book, the working title of which is A Life of Almost, contributing articles to blogs, blogzines and sites, doing interviews, making a short film about managing anxiety and I am entering a few writing competitions. I have also (although this is wildly optimistic, but I was encouraged by getting poetry publication this year) started preparing a selection of poems to send to Faber and Faber. As you may know, submissions for bigger presses (and some smaller ones) are done through an agent, but Faber and Faber will still accept submissions (poetry only) from the author. Wish me luck. Other work: the day job, campaigns and three kids....

flag

like
Comment

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Anna Vaught Start writing. See where it takes you and don't be self-conscious as you begin. Write because you love it. And write your first draft in a big splurge then edit - which is actually the hardest part, I've found.

flag