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?
If you’ve written several books, which is your favorite?About 8 years
What's your favorite genre to read? Write?Under Glass And Stone
How do you get in the mood to 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 your characters come together?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 you get your ideas?I usually feel that people are the sum of their experiences, so I get to know my characters through their backstories.
Who do you admire in the writing world?Anywhere! Especially reading history.
If you're not busy writing, what are you busy doing?Dan Simmons, because he writes masterfully in so many genres.
Have you always been creative?Homeschooling my kiddo and reading books.
Have you ever had writers block? If so, how did you get out of it?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.
When you sit down to write, is it easy or hard? If it's hard, what makes you keep showing up?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.
For a writer starting out what advice would you give them?Hard at first, but it always gets easier. Anything worth doing is hard.
What is your dream writing location?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.
In reference to your books, what question do you get asked the most?A secluded cabin in the mountains with food delivered to my door.
If you could bring one of your characters to life who would it be? Why?How did you come up with this? The answer: I don't know. The subconscious is weird.
What do you think makes a good story?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.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?Tension
Links to A.N.Website I InstagramA Broadway actress and singer
Under Glass And Stone (Byrne House, Book 1)
By Willis, A.N.
Doors Of Gold And Rust (Byrne House, Book 2)
By Willis, A.N.
Thank you for letting me interview you and Good Luck with everything A.N.!
— Colleen
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
