See more of Anna's work on WriteWords here

Anna, I don't know when you did this interview, but I just came across it in my disorganised wanderings. Felt very happy about all that enthusiasm. I know I have started this lark twenty/thirty years on from where you did, but I feel the same tail-wagging energy that comes off your interview. I am desperate to do this full time now, but know I have first to create the publicity for the book that is there, by writing for mags and competitions, while pushing on with the second novel. Anyway thanks for all the advice and excitement.

Top marks for enthusiasm and courage and fantastic luck and application in what you want to do, and are good at. Both teaching and writing. Thanks for everything.

Anna,

Knowing now the extent of your experience, I thank you doubly for your recent comment on my intro to the Beginnners Group.

I have made one first, probably clumsy, attempt at a short story. Is there any way I could get someone to have a look at it, with a view to plugging the holes perhaps?

Many thanks.
John P.

Anna, lovely energy in what you say and really nice to put a face to your thoughts. A great interview, this.

Terrific interview, Anna - bursting with encouragement and enthusiasm! And I'm thrilled and amazed that you found time in your busy schedule to read and comment on my first WW piece! :-))))

Anna,

Thanks for your comments about my piece 'Can You Cry?'
I am a published writer and theatre director, currently looking for an agent. I have written several short pieces for theatre but don't really know where to send them.
Daniel

Anna,
I was so thrilled about your comments on my first story submitted to this group that in my enthusiasm I deleted it. I spent the morning berating myself.
I do thank you very much for taking the time to read it. And then much to my surprise you commented on my Thanksgiving Day conflict.Thanks again!
Although, I am older, I have always written. Having 5 children and a small catering business kept me busy for years and now I am a widow. the children are adults {most of the time} and I have time to write away.
I woud like to write a memoir. Do you think I could -using these stories and many more I have written and have in my head?
I read your interview and enjoyed it. I love the part of how you wanted to tell complete strangers when you sold your first play. It is exactly what I would have done.
My son is an actor and between acts of
one of his first plays, I had gone to the ladies room. I was in one of the stalls with the door closed when two women came in and started talking about the play and how wonderful the young man who played David was. Of course, it was my son Andy and even though I'm sure I tried to suppress it I heard the words
wafting over the door----"He's my son"!
I also want to remember the part you wrote that writers should have thick skin. Sometimes I think I get very thin skinned because I am older and don't have as much time but then again I now have the time to write almost full time.
June

Oh wow! Well, I have to say I wondered what happened to you (does that sound bad?) I knew that I recognised the name. Don't worry I am not some crazed wierdo that you used to go out with or whatever. All I did was read your novel Insanity (1996?) and for years later I kept trying to buy another one by you but never did. Then I simply forgot (sorry. Will a bus ticket make it better?). So, please write another. Gonna go and search on you now to see what else you've done (see, that does sound freaky, but honestly nice person. Married, with two cats. See I must be nice!)

Please do something else. You and Rebbecca Ray need to.

james (anthony)

What an inspiring interview. There's so much here that I can relate to, particularly the inpiration for stories, or the joy of seeing other people do things with your work, or the wish to tell complete strangers of your first success.

Your enthusiasm leaps out of the page, and it definitely spurs me on to achieve the dreams that are still out there waiting. Thank you.

Hi Anna:

I greatly appreciate your comments about my Las Vegas short story entitled "Happy Endings." You might be interested in my method of producing that piece. I first wrote a complete outline of the story in paragraphs separated by a blank line. It was there or four pages long, single spaced. Then I cut up each paragraph, each plot point or character trait in the outline and threw them all in a hat.

I picked out one paragraph after another an wrote about that. What was immmediate intriquing about this 'cut up' method was if forced me to start the story three quarters of the way through it, as I had chronologicaly constructed it in the outline. Gave me a whole new perspective on the piece. And you're right, most of the paragraphs never got looked at, because 7,000 words showed up pretty quick.

I've just published my fourth novel, a historical fiction entitled "The Martyrs," and have written a collection of 21 short stories, a non fiction book and two screenplays so far. You can view my work on http://www.piscesbooks.com.

Thanks again for your kind reading of the story. I'm pleased you found it worth your while. I look forward to finding out more about your stuff.

Tono Rondone

Hi Anna - thanks for your kind comments on my top ten women and great to read your enthusiastic interview. Also pleased to hear you have been using the famous macmillan dictionary of women's biographies. I added Madonna in 1998 and at that time we never thought we would be asked to do a further edition, especially when you can get so much information on the internet (often much more up to date as well - I almost had to leave paula radcliffe crying on the track in Athens last year) I am now, in preparation for a possible 5th edition, compiling a file of updates, deathdates etc. to make the job easier - so any information gratefully received.
I am currently working on a biographical dictionary of fictional women,so much more fun than working on the real ones, trying to find an agent who deals in biographical reference, and trying to develop tenacity and an even thicker skin with your encouragement.
Thanks again
Maggy

Very inspiring interview... l recognised myself in much of what you say. Congratulations on your success and hope you go from strength to strength! We are so fortunate to be writers...

Bloody hell Anna! You've been there, done it, got the t-shirt, sold that and got a bigger one! It was really good to read this interview and despite my constant frustrations with myself over things not working and ideas not errupting, it was nice to know that even the pros have problems. Sad but true.