by Lorie Ham

Here at the Café today we have mystery author Anne Carter whose latest book, POINT SURRENDER, was released by Echelon Press in May of 2007. So grab mug of a favorite of hers and mine, a Caramel Macchiato, and enjoy. After the interview, let’s head on over to her favorite coffee spot, the Town Grind in Newhall, California!

Café:
Tell us a little about your latest book?

Anne:
POINT SURRENDER's last keeper has been dead for more than 25 years. Will the journal he kept reveal why he died in the mysterious old lighthouse, and what became of his missing family? Amy Winslow is bound and determined to find out; there are those who would just as soon she didn't.

Café:
How long have you been writing?

Anne:
I've been writing since middle school, and was first published in 1997 (short fiction) and 2001 (full length novel).

Café:
When did your first novel come out? Tell us a little about it.

Anne:
September, 2001. STARCROSSED HEARTS. This is a big Hollywood romance about two heroes vying for the love of one young starlet. They grudgingly become friends when thrown together to save her life from a former husband who's lost it. Some adventure, world travel, romance and heartache. The Sequel, A HERO'S PROMISE, followed in 2003.

Café:
Have you always written mysteries?

Anne:
POINT SURRENDER is my first official mystery. All of my previous works are romance-driven. While there is an element of mystery in each book, they are not considered mysteries. Oh, I have also written young adult mysteries under the name Pam Ripling.

Café:
What brought you to choose the setting and characters in your latest book? Tell us a little about the setting and main character.

Anne:
Lighthouses have always held a special fascination for me. I collect models, books and other paraphernalia. I visit as many as I can. One day it occurred to me that setting one of my books in a lighthouse was a no-brainer. I wanted it to be a mystery, and then the paranormal element sort of popped up. Many lighthouses are said to be haunted. The characters just sort of developed as I wrote. Amy is a heroine running from a bad relationship, Case, a hero with a troubled past; and a cast of supporting characters from a small coastal town.

Café:
Fun. What is the main reason that you write?

Anne:
I have always enjoyed writing immensely. It's fulfilling, entertaining, and feeds the ego when others like it. I have so many stories in my head, I could write 24/7.

Café:
If only there were enough time to tell all our stories. Do you write to entertain or is there something more you want the readers to take away from your work?

Anne:
Purely for entertainment at this point in time. I have ideas for some non-fiction works that will (hopefully) be enriching.

Café:
Do you have a schedule for your writing or just write whenever you can?

Anne:
I write whenever I can snatch bits of time. These days, the clock is my enemy. I wish I could be disciplined enough to schedule writing time, but it's never worked for me. When I was writing POINT SURRENDER, I had the opportunity to stay in a real lighthouse for a few days. Now THAT was inspiring!

Café:
Do you outline? If not, do you have some other interesting way that you keep track of what's going on, or what needs to happen in your book when you are writing it?

Anne:
I have used outlines and not used them. As I learn to be a better writer, I find that outlining is very helpful. At the very least, writing out a long, complete synopsis helps me to keep on track. I have also used character profiles, timelines, and individual chapter summaries to keep me organized.

Café:
If you had your ideal, what time of day would you prefer to write?

Anne:
Actually, anytime. But I think I do my best work at night.

Café:
Finally a night person! Yay. Needless to say I am a night person. Day job?

Anne:
Which one? #1: Mom to 3 (2 are already grown) #2: Business owner — we do bookkeeping #3: PTA Treasurer #4: Photo editing and enhancements.

Café:
Sounds like you are a busy person. Did you find it difficult to get published in the beginning?

Anne:
Absolutely. I have leap-frogged my way up to my current publisher, and it hasn't been all that much fun!

Café:
Do you have a great rejection/critique or acceptance story you'd like to share?

Anne:
Not really. Nothing unusual or particularly entertaining. One really exciting thing that did happen — I had a movie producer request my book for a possible movie-of-the-week project for the Hallmark Channel. They are still considering it.

Café:
How awesome! What kind of promotion do you find most effective?

Anne:
Wish I knew! Word of mouth is invaluable. MySpace has gained me a few readers, too.

Café:
Most interesting book signing story — in a bookstore or other venue?

Anne:
At Printers Row in Chicago this year, visitors to my publisher's booth seemed shocked that we were actually authors. I realized later that most of the vendors were booksellers, not writers. It actually helped sales. At a booksigning I had last weekend, a gentleman inspected my book and demanded (in a friendly way) to know who printed it for me; how much it cost; how I chose them, etc. It took me awhile to realize he thought I was self-pubbed. He was floored when I explained I was traditionally published.

Café:
Future writing goals?

Anne:
Ack! To finish all the books I have in the works!

Café:
Heroes?

Anne:
Mine? Oh gosh. My dad was a big hero of mine. He was a storyteller, and I like to think that's where I got my (ahem) talent. He was also a great thinker and philosopher. My movie star hero is Paul Newman. Any actor who looks that good and stays married that long has got to be some kind of hero. My husband is my current-day hero!

Café:
Person you would most like to meet dead or alive?

Anne:
My grandmothers. All I have are old photos and stories — both gone before I was born. My paternal grandmother was a Cherokee Indian.

Café:
That would be interesting. What do you read?

Anne:
Romantic suspense; mysteries; non-fiction.

Café:
What are your hobbies?

Anne:
Photo editing, doll collecting.

Café:
Don’t think we’ve had that hobby here before. Favorite TV or movies?

Anne:
Big epic movies: GWTW, Pearl Harbor, LOTR; Romantic comedies: Father of the Bride; Sci-Fi: almost any. On TV, I watch very little, but am admittedly hooked on both LOST and Gray's Anatomy. I also watch all those food programs!

Café:
Pets?

Anne:
Golden Retriever and psycho tortoiseshell cat.

Café:
I think every mystery writer should have a psycho cat. Family?

Anne:
Two incredible grown sons and one delightful middle-school daughter. Don't forget the hero-husband!

Café:
What part of the country/world do you live in?

Anne:
Sunny (scortching, now) So. California.

Café:
Any advice for aspiring or beginning writers?

Anne:
Only the usual — read, read, read, and write, write, write. Perservere. Submit your work! You can't win if you don't enter the contest.

Café:
Anything you would like to add?

Anne:
Yes! Look for Cape Seduction, another paranormal lighthouse mystery, in late 2009; and stay tuned for my internet radio show, Beacon Street Talk, coming in July!

Café:
How fun. You will have to keep us posted on the radio show. Website?

Anne:
www.BeaconStreetBooks.com.

Café:
Where can people purchase your books?

Anne:
Amazon, BN.com, lots of online bookstores, and all brick & mortar booksellers. eBook versions of all my books are available at www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/annecarterebooks.htm

Café:
Thanks so much for being here with us today. Happy Reading and Good Coffee!

©2008 Lorie Ham. All rights reserved.