Fabulous Author Friday ~ Anna Christie

Please help me welcome author Anna Christie today!

Without further ado.....

Tell us a little about yourself. 

I’m your average every day kind of gal! I am a fulltime working mom and wife with many, many pets! I love to try new things all the time and I like to take risks. I figure if you’re not trying something at least once, then you’re not living life. I love my two daughters immensely and try to stay involved in everything they do. I think sometimes I’m funny. LOL I am a musician and a graphic/fine artist. Did I mention I tend to spread myself to thin?

Did you always want to be an author?  

I actually had never considered it before. That was completely a self-confidence thing because I had never really tried to set out to do it before. But everyone has to take risks in life or try new things. Otherwise you aren’t really living life to the fullest.

What is your favorite part of being a writer/author? 

Honestly it’s seeing my readers’ reactions or takes on the stories I write. If I can make one of my readers cry (or any emotion really), then I know I’ve touched them and that means everything to me. That means my characters are “real” to them and I accomplished what I set out to do.

Absolutely!  I agree!

Tell us a little about your book. 

I would call it a very sultry romance story.  But from start to finish it’s an emotional roller coaster. It revolves around three lifelong friends who were raised together on a remote cliff, Lanie Rhodes, Grant Bennett and Dane Voight, who as children, made a pact to always remain like family forever. But the boys made a pact too, to never vie for Lanie’s love. Now all grown up, Lanie and Grant, who have always had feelings for each other, finally give in and let love blossom. Dane, however, realizes he wants Lanie for his own and proceeds to do anything to break them apart. And he is pretty evil sometimes. I can tell you, you’ll be shocked at everything that happens. One little thing I need to let you know. Every single chapter in The Cliff ends in a cliffhanger. So you won’t be able to put this book down!

Fabulous! 

When did you start writing and when did you finish your first book? 

I’ve always dabbled in writing, mostly advertising copy. But I started writing The Cliff, which is my first book, in January of 2011 and finished it in July.

Where do you get your inspiration? 

This particular story kept knocking on my brain telling me that it wanted to be told. It just kept popping into my head over and over again. So if you consider that inspiration, then that would be it. Of course my children are an inspiration to me everyday. I watch them have such enthusiasm for life because everything is so new to them, and I guess they were the reason I took on chance writing this story in the first place.

Do you plot and outline or do you just write?  Plotter or Pantser? 

Oh no, I just sit down and write. My stories like to tell me what happens and how they’re going to end.

Can you tell us a little about the process of getting your first book published? 

It was quite an experience. I think I was really lost at first. I wasn’t even sure where to start. But after researching the different types of publishers and publishing venues out there, I finally figured out whom to send my manuscript out to. Then revising my manuscript over and over to fit the requirements of each publisher, writing my synopsis and query letters, it was all so daunting and frightening actually. Getting my first rejection was pretty upsetting, but I think by the time I got my ninth, I was used to it. LOL When you finally get that acceptance letter, you’re just on cloud nine. And then it’s a whole new ball of worms. But I happened to luck out and Ruby Lioness Press offered me my first contract. This publisher is amazing and really supports and teaches you everything you need to know. They also have a great author/editor support group they call “The Pride”. It’s more like being part of a family. Great, great people, all of them.

What book have you most recently released? 

I have my very first published story in an anthology called Love Down Under. My story, The Adventure of a Lifetime, gets to sit on the pages of this book with three other great authors, so I am totally stoked and very honored to be published with them.

What was your favorite part of the book? 

Oh I love the whole book, but I think my favorite part is when my main characters finally get together. There’s nothing like that sexual tension and then the first kiss, first time you make-love. I guess when I write the scenes I get to relive them in a way. But don’t let me forget Chapter 14, which is known as the Nutella Chapter.

OMG!  A Nutella chapter.  My critique partner April London will just have a fit.  She loves Nutella.

Rate your story in terms steaminess? 

Oh my, The Cliff is very sexy steamy, but all my love scenes are pretty tender because of the connection between the main characters. But still very hot! I get all hot and bothered writing sometimes, but my husband appreciates that and research! HAHA

Do you have another book in the works? 

Yes, I have another book coming out in March 2013, called The Purple Heart. This story is my baby and I am so excited about it. But we’ll talk more in March (wink wink)! I am also working on my third book and hope to have it ready for submission for publishing soon.

What advice would you give new authors?  What have you learned about the business? 

Give it a try and don’t give up. I almost gave up several times and if it weren’t for another author, who told me to keep trying, I wouldn’t have. You wouldn’t believe the support group with my publisher, editors and other authors. It’s like a family and they are holding my hand through this all. Don’t be afraid to ask questions from people in the industry. It’s not an easy place to get your foot in the door. But once you do, it doesn’t seem as hard.

Boxers or Briefs? 

Depends on who’s in them! ;)

Very True! Very True!

Pizza or hamburger? 

Oh a nice juicy, still-mooing hamburger!

Beer, Wine, or mixed drink? 

I like fruity drinks on the beach!

Fabulous!

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Would you write or read there, or do something else? 

Hawaii or Italy! And no, that vacation would just be for my relaxation so I could reboot my brain. But it doesn’t mean I wouldn’t do a little research… Hubs can come with me right? LOL And I like to experience everything so, I’m up for doing whatever adventurous thing I can find when I am not lounging on the beach.

(Character Questions)

What were your first impressions of each other? Well, we’ve known each other our entire lives (since birth), so we have never known life without the other. And we hope never to have to know what that’s like.

What’s your favorite characteristic of each other?

Grant: Lanie is just everything any man could want in a woman. She’s free-spirited, funny and loving. But most of all, she’s the most loyal person I know.

Lanie: Grant has always been there to rescue me no matter how big or small the situation I’m dealing with is. So knowing he’s always by my side, never giving up on me, is the greatest thing about him. It doesn’t hurt that he’s hot as hell.

What are your plans for the near future? 

Grant: To finally be together in any and every way possible. We’ve spent so much time hiding our feelings for each other that I think just getting that chance to freely love each other is all we want.

Lanie: Big wedding, lots of kids. I want it all with him until forever.

Excerpt from THE CLIFF

“Lanie, do I have to spell this out for you?”

“Yes please. Spelling, definition and then use it in a sentence.”

And then he just kissed me It was a soft gentle kiss that sent a shock wave from my lips right to my girliest of girl parts. When he pulled away, not very far away, he just stared into my eyes with something that was not looking at me like a sister. What was he searching for?

"Could you please spell that again?" I murmured. He relaxed, laughed softly and kissed me again, this time allowing his tongue to brush across my bottom lip. I was melting.

It took everything not to pounce on him and do all the naughty things that were suddenly running through my head right there on my porch.

"Use it in a sentence, please." I whispered with my eyes still closed, my head still tilted.

"Of course." And he crushed his lips to mine, pulling my body against his. I was lost in him. His tongue began swirling with mine and my head began swirling too. We remained in this sentence, which was slowly approaching a paragraph. I didn't care, I would have been happy kissing a novella with him.

Thank you so much for being here today Anna.  It was so great to get to know you and find out about your book.

Readers, be sure to leave a comment with your email to enter to win a copy of Anna's first publication in an anthology called LOVE DOWN UNDER.

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Twitter: @AnnaChristie333

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