Ann Gimple is the Author of Gabrielle's Cauldron
a paranormal romance
Author Interview
What first got you interested in writing? 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? Has that support always been there, or has it changed since being published?
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 can people find out more about you?
Holy cow Ann! I never knew you have so many titles out!! You go girl! =)
ReplyDeleteDitto the "Holy cow" comment. Wow! This looks really interesting and I love the cover. Glad to meet you here. Paulette
ReplyDeleteLook at me all misspelling her name!! Not like its not ON the book cover i was just admiring! She's such a good sport about it too.... =)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you kept submitting your work, and it's comforting, though sad, to know even published writers still get rejections.
ReplyDelete