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An Interview With Annette GisbyTell us a bit about yourself. What would you like us to know about you? I grew up in a very small town in Northern Ireland. We had a small library but no bookshops. When I'd managed to read through all the books I wanted to in the library I started writing the stories and plotlines I wanted to read so that I would always have something to read later. What are you doing now? (Career? Married? Single? Children? Pets?) I'm married to a wonderful man called John who supports my writing and is patiently waiting for the day when he can retire on my royalties. I think that's a long way off for the moment, but in the meantime I will just keep writing the stories I want to read. Maybe one day I'll make lots of money writing, but that is not what drives me to write. What is your favourite food? It's a choice between my home-made lasagne or meatballs with pasta. I love mint-choc-chip ice-cream as well. What is your favourite colour? I wear a lot of red, but I really love turquoise. There don't seem to be many outfits that colour though :) What is your favourite sound? Waves crashing against rocks or waves lapping gently on the shore. Who is your favourite person? My husband, John. We've been married almost twenty years and we still get asked if we're newly-weds! What is your favourite place? New Zealand, without a dobut. The scenery is jaw-droppingly beautiful, the people are so friendly and it is so peaceful. What is your favourite memory? The John proposed. We were on holiday in Portugal and he'd given me a porcelain bride doll for my birthday. "What's missing?" he asked me. What is your favourite article of clothing? Pyjamas, they're so comfortable for just relaxing around the house. What is your favourite word? Snuggle. What is your favourite writers' quote and why? "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you'll land among stars." - Oscar Wilde. What is your most favourite quality about yourself? I'm loyal and dependable. What is the least favourite quality about yourself? I get distracted easily and end up starting three or four novels before finishing the one I was supposed to be doing :) If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why? Queenstown, New Zealand. Sitting on the lakeshore with a notebook and pen, John by my side and the sun shining down. Bliss. What inspires you to write and why? Usually it's my characters. They pop into my head and don't leave until I get their story down on paper. There are so many ideas in there that if I didn't write them down I'd go mad. What is your favourite book and why? Beauty by Sheri S. Tepper. What is your favourite genre and why? Fantasy, sci-fi and horror. I like those best because they are so imaginiative and different. List your three favourite authors (any genre) and why? Sheri S. Tepper What do you think makes a writer successful? I have no idea! Luck, skill, being in the right place at the right time? A timely book? A good publicist? It could be all of those or neither, I really don't know. Whta is it that makes you successful as a writer? That I never give up even if what I write is not what the "market" dictates. I can't write for a market, that hasn't worked for me. I write what I want to write, what I need to write. What are your goals as a writer? If I'm honest, I would have to say that I would love to make enough money to enable me to support John through my writing, but realistically that is unlikely. What is the best tip you can give to fellow writers? Read, read, read and then read some more! If you don't enjoy reading books, you are not going to enjoy writing them either. My love of writing stems from my love of reading. To me, they both go hand in hand. Why would someone want to write a book if they don't have a passion for reading? What do you hope to provide your readers with through your writing? I want to bring my readers on an entertaining journey with me. List your three favourite online writer-resource sites and why (include URLS). absolutewrite.com/ If you have published a book, tell us about your publishing success (title, publishing date and company, where it is available to purcahse). My publishing adventures could end up as a book itself. I had some ups and downs with various publishers (both traditional and POD) but some good things as well. Currently available are: How long did it take you to write your book(s)? Each book took about 6-8 months but it varies, depending on whether or not the Muse is co-operating :) What would you do differently if you could repeat the same publishing experience? I would have looked into epublishing a lot sooner than I did. I think ebooks are a great idea, we're rapidly running out of room for paper books. I just wish there weren't so many geographical restrictions on trying to buy the ones you want! What have you learned about the publishing world? That there are millions of books available and it might be hard to get yours noticed in such a vast sea. Writing is also quite a lonely profession but I have made many online friends with the Internet. This is your chance to 'Talk Back' to your readers. What would you like to say to them? I would like to thank them all for taking a journey with me and my characters for a while. What's the one thing that you want them to know about your writing? That first and foremost I am a storyteller. I want to tell a good tale. |
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