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Weird Wednesday Dec. 6th: LOL Weekend Wrap-up Dec 9: Price change

Free Book Friday Dec 9: In Conversation Revisited – Anne Mortenson

I started interviewing authors two years ago and I thought it was time to contact them and invite them to revisit the post. Here is the third in the series.

Anne Mortensen started her working career with a BA in Communications from Emerson College, Boston. Among other work experiences she worked PR and journalism. H Later, she earned a Masters in Photography from Central Saint Martins and worked as a photographer. Throughout, she did what she loves most: creative writing. Originally from El Paso, Texas, she now lives in London.

In Conversation With Revisited: Anne Mortensen

Leon: Well, it’s been over a year since we last sat down to chat. How have you been?
Anne: Enjoying life. I published The Arcadian Match, book 2 of my series and now I’m taking it easy and filling up the well.
Leon: Shall we see what was happening back in 2022?
Anne: Let’s do it.

Today I have the pleasure of sitting down with author, Anne Mortensen. Thanks for entertaining us with a visit. Can I offer you anything to drink?

Very kind of you! Straight-up water is great. Thanks.

Congratulations, you win the “Least Demanding Author” award, and no there is no medal, trophy, or monetary prize, although everyone should get a participation ribbon.

[Leon: Here’s your ribbon. Sorry it took so long.]
[Anne: Good things come to those who wait, haha. I love it, thank you!]

You say you have been a writer for most of your life. What was the very first book (published or non-published) that you wrote?

Oh gosh. Many moons ago, I started writing articles for a local paper in my teen years. Having built my writing muscle, I began a novel called Being Human that I thought was the best thing ever. Got up at 5am every morning, pantsed my way through, chapter by chapter, before I had to leave for my paying job. I discovered so much about the process of writing and my preferences during that time. Such as, first thing in the morning is the perfect time of day to write—the city is quiet. By the time I’d leave for work, I felt fulfilled. Took months to get to Act III. And then, when I arrived at the climax, eager to wrap it up and declare myself a winner, the magic dried up.

I couldn’t figure out how to end it. Morning after morning, I struggled. In the end, I never finished it, and it haunted me for many months. Looking back at it now, I can understand why I never finished it. It was atrocious!

[Leon: Is that one still collecting dust?]
[Anne: It will never see the light of day.]

But if it wasn ’t for that book, maybe the others wouldn ’t have happened, right?

I probably would have written anyway, but I tell you, it taught me some good lessons. Like, maybe it’s a good idea to outline before I write something that involved, lol!

What were some of your earliest influences?

Spy-thriller writer Robert Ludlum. Adventure writers like Gerald Durrell’s, My Family and Other Animals. Loads of fun! The voice of the character inspired me to say, “I can do that!” I started paying attention to character voice more. Naturally, Catcher in the Rye was up next. Further along the adventure line, but more intense and serious, was Lord of the Flies. This book is the one that engaged my curiosity of social power structures and groups vs the individual.

Catcher in the Rye is one of my favorite books. I think it is brilliant. Do you have a favorite book?

So many favorites, it’s hard to choose just one. For page-turning, glue quality: Simon Kernick’s Relentless. When it came out, I bought one hard copy and took it with me on a trip. One afternoon, while I went to go do something, my husband picked it up. When I returned, he refused to hand it back. The book was in a tug of war. Neither of us wanted to stop reading it and neither of us wanted to wait for the other to finish it. There was only one solution: we read it at the same time, each taking turns to hold open the book.

For buttery, rich prose: Lolita.
For swank and attitude: Anything by Raymond Chandler

[Leon: I looked for that book, “Anything”, until I realized you actually meant anything…]
[Anne: HAHA! But it does give me a great idea for a book tribute to Raymond Chandler called Anything. Hmmm.]

You have several books about current events and issues. Why write these?

I used to be a journalist, covering press issues for The Independent in the UK.

Do you miss it?

I miss keeping on top of the deeper issues regarding the press. Press issues is an unglamorous area of journalism, but it’s a bellwether on the state of a society.

The book description for The Truth Effect comes across as 1984-y. Was there some influence here?

George Orwell is a king of sorts for me. I adore his writing style: clean, simple, simmering sentences that encompass complex concepts. His concepts were unique for his time. He used to be a journalist too (at a time when journalism had more public trust).

[Leon: How is the book doing?]
[Anne: Solid. I’m happy with The Truth Effect’s progress. It’s slow but steady and growing. There’s a lot more reviews on Amazon now than in the first year of release. I’m really proud of that book.]
[Leon: I see that you wrote a sequel. Was it planned? I ask because my trilogy started out as a stand-alone novella. I didn’t think I was going to continue the story.]
[Anne: Yeah, I get what you’re saying. Stories evolve as you write. You think you have a standalone, and you get to the end and realize, it’s the first in a series of ten! It keeps it fun and exciting, doesn’t it? My process is similar to yours, but with a dash of planning. Nail-biting for me!]

Ah-Ha! I knew it. Let me take a moment to pat myself on the back. What do you do when you are not writing?

Usually something physical like cooking. Helps get me out of my head and gives my other senses exercise and delight.

What is your signature dish?

Chile Colorado. I’m still working on getting the chili to garlic to spices ratio just right, but every time I make it, it always turns out pretty good.

[Leon: Have you figured out that golden ratio yet?]
[Anne: Sadly, not!]

What are three main differences between El Paso (where you grew up) and London (where you live now)? Wait! Let me guess: The food, the climate, and the accent? Right?

Haha!! Right! Oh yes, very different places. El Paso is earthy, bright, and hot. The Mexican food is way better in El Paso than it will ever be in London. But London has tons going for it, lol! It’s super diverse, updates itself all the time, and it’s a city that loves mixing the old and the new. If I personified El Paso, I’d describe it as reliable, whereas London is stressed.

[Leon: Are you still residing in London?]
[Anne: I appreciate the city more these days. Mainly because I discovered loads of drop-in writing groups. I’ve joined a couple and I love them. Not sure how I didn’t know about them before. I’ve also been taking my camera out a bit more and recognize how blessed I am to live in a place that offers so much to photograph.]

But El Paso doesn ’t have a “Curry Row”.

True! You can’t beat the curries here.

[Leon: After trying to be lured into several establishments with the promises of “the best curry in town, free drinks, 20% off, free appetizers” we finally went into the place who claimed they had the worst.]
[Anne: And?]
[Leon: It wasn’t the best, but a good time was had by all.]

I try to work the subject of music into conversations. Do you have any favorite genres?

At the moment, I’m into synthwave for energy. I love most genres, but my go to is instrumental jazz. For writing, I prefer silence.

[Leon: Any new favorite artists you would like to give a shout-out to?]
[Anne: I’m going to have to say Mozart’s Requiem remixed for Sensation White. I wrote the Dark night of the Soul scene in The Arcadian Match to it. It was so fitting.]

I’m with you on that. I can’t have music on when I’m writing. Are you ready for the lightning round?
Ready, player one.

[Leon: Did you read “Ready, Player Two”?]
[Anne:* Not yet, but it’s on my shelf.]
[Leon: I’ll save you the trouble and tell you to leave it there…]
[Leon: I’ll give you the same questions and see if you give the same answers?]
[Anne: Ok]
[Leon: No cheating.]

[Anne: Oh gosh…]

Nice.
Favorite city?
Paris
Most fascinating wall?
Wailing (or Western) Wall
Weirdest food you have eaten?
Monkey brains
How many countries start with the letter Z?
2 – Zaire and Zimbabwe
Fog. Creepy or magical?
Magical
Tallest structure you have ever been in?
Eiffel Tower

[Leon: Last time your weirdest food was dried crickets, but I’ll give you the point for the upgrade. You missed Zambia again, so I’ll have to take that point back please. I also added that last question to see if you were paying attention.]

Well, it looks like we are out of our allotted time. This has been a pleasure. Thanks for chatting.

Thank you for this delightful interview!

[silence]

Leon: Oh, I guess that was it. Did you have fun?
Anne: Absolutely. Glad to be back. Thanks again!
Leon: Any new links you want to share?
Anne: The place my books will always be on is my website www.annemortensenwriter.com.

Plus, I’m building a Substack containing my art and culture writings. I’ll be reinterpreting historical and contemporary visual art using a discovery-based approach on annemortensen.substack.com.

The story behind Free Book Friday:

I’ve met many authors and readers during my time marketing, cross-promoting, and blogging. I think writers have a responsibility to inform readers about all the indie authors out there in the very crowded world of book publishing. You can’t do it alone, and why would you when you have a supportive group available?

Readers don’t just read one author – they stick with their favorite genres. Therein lies the power in cross-promotion. If one of my readers buys a book from an author I promote, then chances are there will be a reciprocal effect, or so is the hope. Do I want to boost sales? Of course I do. Do I want to boost other’s sales? Why not. It’s called karma.

Some free book offers require a newsletter sign-up, which is a small non-monetary price to pay to try out a new indie author.

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Review copies: Like reviewing books? Try my two poetry collections: Lines by Leon and A Wonder of Words

Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.

My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/