What first got you interested in
writing and what has kept you doing it?
I’ve been writing all my life. In
high school it was poetry. In college it was papers—lots of them because I
spent years in college. Out in the work force it was grants, projects, reports,
etc. I’ve always loved fiction and have always read a lot. I also spend as much
time as I can in the backcountry with a pack on my back. Most of that time is
“alone” time. Stories always ran around in my head while on backcountry trips.
About four years ago, I decided to do something about that and came home, sat
down at the keyboard and started writing. I haven’t stopped!
Do you have the support of your
family and friends?
Absolutely. The support hasn’t
changed a bit from before I was published to now.
What would you say is your most
interesting writing quirk? Strangest habit? Is there anything you have to do before you start writing?
Well, when I’m in the midst of
something, all the characters run around in my mind telling me what they plan
to do next. We have fascinating conversations where I tell them, “It’s not in
the plot.” And they tell me their ideas are far better than mine! Oftentimes, they’re
correct. There’s nothing particular I have to do before I start writing, but I
do much better when I’m fresh. I can edit when I’m exhausted, but I can’t write
very well then.
What advice would you give to a new
writer?
Develop a thick skin. I’ve learned
more from brutal critiques of my work than from anything else. Psyche’s Prophecy began as a Book In A
Week writing project for my online writer’s group. Of course I didn’t finish it
in a week; but I did get the first 50,000 words together—well, sort of. It was
totally shredded by two group members. After I stopped crying, I realized
they’d made excellent points, so I started rewriting.
Find people who will be honest with
you to read your stuff. Plan on lots of rewrites. Spend way more time editing
than you do writing. And try not to personalize the rejections. Because you’ll
get them. Lots of them. It’s all part of the process.
What has been the biggest challenge
of your career so far?
When my first novel—not Psyche’s Prophecy—got rejected over and over
again, I had very good friends who urged
me to keep writing. Since it’s not my “first career” (psychology is) I was
ready to decide writing had been an experiment that hadn’t worked out very
well. One special friend in Europe suggested I try my hand at short stories.
Three months after turning out my first short story, I had my first
publication. They’ve come around regularly since then. But I still get my share
of rejections, too. Just because I’ve published a fair amount, I am far from
immune to getting that email that says, “Sorry, this one’s not for us.”
Has a reader ever complimented you
on your writing? What was the best thing you ever heard, and who told it to
you?
Oh, that’s easy. Kim McDougall from
Blazing Trailers creates the trailers for my books. Unbeknownst to me, she read
both Prophecy and Search. Then she sent me an email
begging me to finish the third book. And she put a five star review on Amazon.
Because she’s a multi-published author herself, her compliments really made me
feel good.
How people can find out more about Ann Gimple
Seems like you have a great approach to challenges. Thank you for the encouragement.
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