Interview

Hi Anara and welcome. I am so glad you could join us here at RomanceJunkies. To start, will you please tell us a little bit about your current projects?

 

Hi Brooke! Thanks so much for having me.

 

I currently have two books on the go. One is a light paranormal/vampire story that I’m frantically editing. It’s almost ready to send into my editor. The other is a fun little makeover story I can hardly wait to get back to writing.

When was the moment you knew you had to be a writer?  Knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently on your path to publication?

 

You know, I honestly can’t pinpoint the exact moment. It was a gradual process. I’d say the desire grew as my writing improved. On second thought, maybe it was when I finaled and then won Lori Foster’s Brava Novella Contest. At that time I started getting reader feedback, and it was so wonderful to hear from people who had read portions of my work and enjoyed it so much that they took the time to write me because they wanted to read the rest of the story. That was probably when I realized I wanted to be published. As for the actual path to publication, I don’t think I would change anything except that I would have started sooner.

Every unpublished writer dreams of getting the call.  How did yours come about?  What did you do to celebrate?

 

Since I’m epublished, The Call was actually The Email and to be honest, when I got The Email I couldn’t really believe it, so I kept reading it over and over again to be sure I wasn’t imagining things. The clincher was the attached contract. I figured they didn’t send those unless they were serious. LOL   Once I got over the shock, I celebrated by having a slice of my favorite cake – Cappuccino Crunch.

A new writer comes to you with her first rejection letter.  She is devastated.  What do you say to her to put it in a better light?

 

This is so difficult to answer. What I would say depends on the person I’m talking to. I would always try to take their personality and needs into consideration, but overall, after commiserating with her (because let’s face it, sometimes we just want to wallow for a bit), I’d remind her that every writer gets rejection letters. And, to help put it in perspective, I’d cite the many well-known examples of big name authors whose books were rejected many times before they became big hits. Then I’d congratulate her on officially being a writer. It takes courage to put your stuff out there. It’s also the first step to publication because you can’t be published unless you send your work out in the first place.

 

Really, I consider a rejection letter a badge of honor. Every writer is going to get rejected before and even after they’re published. I think the real key is our attitude towards those rejections. It makes all the difference. The truth is that rejection isn’t really a sign of failure, it’s a sign of success – that you overcame your fears and uncertainties and sent your work to an agent or editor anyway. And that’s something to be proud of. Anyone who does it is someone I’d definitely call a winner, no matter the outcome.

What does your writing space look like?  Is there a view?  If you could change one thing about it, what would it be?

 

OMG! Right now my writing space is a MESS! I have books and notes absolutely everywhere. As soon as I get this book in to my editor I’m going to tidy up my office so I can move around in here again. Aside from the mess, I actually love my office. I have three bookcases filled to the brim with books and of course, there’s a desk with my computer etc on it. My computer faces the window and I have a lovely view of the trees in my front yard. I frequently get birds landing on the window ledge and singing in the trees. I totally love it. The one thing I’d change would be to clean up the clutter. I simply have too much stuff piled up, probably because I’m in here all the time so everything seems to migrate over here, which of course, leads us back to the mess. LOL

Assuming you can snag a bit here and there, what do you like to do in your spare time?  Do you have any special hobbies or collections?  What is the one thing you'd love to try, and will...someday?

 

There are a lot of things I like to do like crocheting, knitting, needlework and, of course, reading. I have collected things over the years, like plates and tins, and I still periodically add to those collections but I try to be really picky about what I get because I already have too many. LOL In my spare time (when I have some) I love to watch movies.

 

There are actually two things I’d love to try. My mother was a painter and that’s something I’ve always wanted to do as well.   I just haven’t gotten around to it so far. I’ve also always wanted to work with stained glass making things like lamps or window panels, that kind of thing.

What is your favorite movie?  How about CD?  What is it about them that draws you?

 

Picking a favorite movie is almost impossible. I love, love, LOVE movies and at the end of the day I love to watch one to relax when I can. My tastes are pretty eclectic. About the only thing I won’t watch is horror - they just make me feel ill. Depending on my mood I’ll watch anything from action, drama, comedy, thrillers (as long as the gore factor isn’t too high), and historicals (I love period pieces – Jane Austen anyone?), but my absolute favorites are the ones with some kind of romance in them. In fact, I guess those would qualify as my favorites. Even in a move like The Terminator, it’s the romantic element that I enjoy the most. In the last few weeks I’ve watched The Holiday, In Her Shoes, Music & Lyrics, Sahara, Cellular, and Stranger Than Fiction.

I don’t really listen to CD’s per se. I tend to just pick out individual songs that I’m in the mood to listen to. My taste is pretty eclectic here, too. Hmm, seems to be a trend there. LOL   Different things can draw me to a song and again, it all depends on my mood - sometimes it’s the beat, sometimes it’s the tune itself and sometimes it’s the words to the song. I just watched In Her Shoes last night so today I’ve been listening to Stupid Girl by Garbage. The other day I was listening to the instrumental theme from The Mask of Zorro. Having said all that, the truth is I don’t actually listen to music that often because I need peace and quiet when I write.

 

What is the one thing you'd love to try, but probably won't ever have enough guts to?  How about the one thing that you did try... and are amazed that you actually did it!?

 

Sky-diving. I think that would be so exciting. Unfortunately, I don’t have anywhere near the guts required to actually do it. LOL   Probably the most daring thing I’ve ever done was to enter my writing into contests. That was the first time I’d shown my writing to strangers and it was truly frightening putting a piece of myself out there like that. It was a huge step for me.

How did you and your husband meet?  Was it love at first sight, or did he have to work a bit at gaining your attention?  Where did he take you on your first "official" date?

 

The first time I saw my hubby was when I was visiting a friend of mine. I was saying to her that there were no available guys around and she pointed to this guy next door and said, ‘there’s one for you’. All I could see were his feet sticking out from under his car because he was working on it at the time. Cut to a couple of months later and we finally met at a gathering. It wasn’t love at first sight, but we were definitely attracted to each other. It wasn’t until months later that I realized he was the guy under the car. What are the odds? LOL On our first official date, we went to a movie. I couldn’t tell you which movie it was. I only remember it was really stupid. Good thing the guy turned out way better than the movie did. LOL

What is this romance writer's idea of the "perfect romantic evening"?

 

Hmm. I enjoy going out to dinner. I mean, is there anything more romantic than not having to cook or clean up after? LOL Except maybe having a gorgeous guy, shirtless, wearing low slung jeans, working around the house, doing the cooking and cleaning. Serving me hand and foot. Muscles rippling, abs taut, body glistening with sweat as he leans over…. I’m sorry, what was the question?

How do you describe Anara Bella?  How does Anara Bella's husband describe her?

 

Hmmm. Anara Bella is practical, and a realist, and she also loves to laugh as much as possible. I asked hubby how he would describe me and his exact words were – “p retty, caring, youthful, and honest, but has a tendency towards clutter”. Funny how it keeps coming back to the mess in my office. LOL

MORE FUN...

The holidays are drawing closer by the day!  EEEKKK!!!  Are you one of those people who's ready in November, or one who is happily shopping Christmas Eve?  What is your favorite holiday tradition?

 

I’m one of those annoying people who are ready early. LOL   I hate being in the stores when they’re packed and busy so I avoid it at all costs. My favorite tradition is simply getting together and spending time with the family. That’s truly what I enjoy the most about the holidays.

What is your favorite breakfast food?

 

Hands down, I’d have to say homemade crepes stuffed with a slightly sweetened ricotta cheese and dill filling. It’s my mom’s recipe and I just love it. In fact, I’ve even had it for supper on occasion. LOL

What is your favorite pair of shoes?  What is the one pair that should have stayed at the shoe store?

 

You know, I’m not sure I have a favorite pair. As long as they’re comfortable and look good, I’m happy. In line with that, any shoe that’s uncomfortable is a shoe I wish had stayed at the store. LOL

Name the one food you hated as a child but love now?  Which one will you never love no matter how old you get?

 

If you can believe it, I hated stuffing when I was a child. I have no idea why, because I absolutely love it now. LOL   I’m totally blanking on what I don’t like. I’m sure there’s something, but I actually do like most foods, which if you know me, explains a lot. LOL
 
And lastly, no interview of a writer would be complete without this question:  what is your favorite comfort food?

 

That would have to be Puff Pastry Napoleons topped with powdered sugar rather than melted sugar. It’s the perfect combo of flaky pastry with creamy custard and whipped cream filling. YUMMY!! Oh man, now I want one. LOL

 

Thanks for the fun questions, Brooke!! I really enjoyed answering them. =)

 

It’s been our pleasure!   Best of luck with your writing career!

By Brooke Wills

Romance Junkies Publishing Editor

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