Author Interview with Taylor Anne

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Today I have Taylor Anne, author of Heat Flash and A Christmas Santa, telling us about an anthology she contributed to with a book that is the first in a three book series.

Please tell us about your current release, Taylor Anne.

The Beginning of Time is a short story published in Journeys – Bayou Writers Group Anthology Vol 1. This story is the prologue to a three book series about a diverse group of people from all walks of life. Three women meet early in life and form a lifelong bond. It touches on the struggles and trials and loves of everyday life. This is the beginning of their stories.

BOOK LINKS:

Amazon Print / Amazon eBook

Barnes & Noble

1. What inspired you to write this book?

I was wanting to let women and men know that everybody struggles with day to day life and the trials that are thrown at them. Abuse, infidelity, cancer, infertility, loneliness, anger….Those are just some of the struggles life gives us. The key is in your attitude and how you handle each situation. Always – Always keep a positive attitude and take life one day at a time. 

2. A positive attitude is a must. Is The Beginning of Time part of a series?

Yes, The Beginning of Time, is the first book of three. Time, Devotion, Perseverance. Release date on those books will be announced at a later date.

3. Did you do special research for The Beginning of Time?

All the time! Research – OMG. Everything I do is research. This story really drew on my personal experiences, as well as those of my family friends. The retreat house in the book really inspired some of the people’s emotions and stories. When you get together for four days with a group of women (and a little wine) you really open up to each other and realize we all deal with the same basic issues in life. I am thankful for the retreat house and the hostess there for all she has done for us.  

4. Are any of your characters based on real people?

Loosely based on real people. I’ve basically taken people’s emotions, physical characteristics, personality traits and combined them into unique characters. I want people to pick up this book and say, “Wow, she wrote my story.” There’s a little bit of you (the reader) in every story.

Taylor Anne having fun!

5. If you could give your book to anyone in the world to read (dead or alive) who would it be and why?

I plead the fifth….I cannot answer that question on the grounds that it may incriminate me… uh—my characters. <wink wink>

6. I'll let that one pass. What is the silliest thing you ever did while writing a story?

Let me tell you a short story. Me, Brandy, and our DH’s were at a concert one night. The sexy guitar player was removing his guitar strap and well, I kinda lost it. Just yelled out above the crowd, “Take it off. Take it all off!” Brandy died laughing, and DH just looked at me, shook his head, and smiled. (He gets a kick out of watching me have a good time.) Later on we see the band members at the bar. Sexy guy is leaning against the bar and Brandy pushes me forward. “Go take a picture with him.” So, I do. Standing there seeing our reflection in the mirror, it hit me. That would be the perfect scene in a book I am currently working on. Silly, yes…but that what happens when Brandy and I get together and drink free wine.                    

7. That's hilarious! Free wine can certainly do that to you. Have you ever experienced something unusual that influenced a story?

A character influence instead of a story influence. Picture this: Brandy and I are in an Adult “Novelty” Store looking for a birthday present for a friend. She is intently checking out the blow-up midget doll when the door bell chimes and heels clack on the wooden floor. We turn to see this androgynous person wearing red stiletto’s sashaying through the aisles, working it like I wish I could. Brandy’s mouth is wide open, the midget completely forgotten. He stops in front of the women’s lingerie, whips a teddy off the rack, and says to his friends, “Does this match my heels for the party tonight?” Brandy and I look at each other and exclaim, “Morgan.” And that is how his character came about.

8. Character influence can come from the most unlikeliest of places. Tell us about your writing process.

If I am writing in the morning, I like to have a hot cup of coffee next to me and quiet eighties music playing in the background. Later in the day, the scene changes. Ever hear the saying “write drunk, edit sober?” <winks> Okay, that’s not exactly how I do it, but sometimes that glass of wine helps set the frame of mind.

Turn up the music, fill my glass with wine (or coffee), and write.  Music and wine – the answer to (almost) everything.

BIO:

Taylor Anne lives in Southwest Louisiana with her husband. God and family come first. After that, it’s all about having fun and enjoying life. Add music, wine, food, cats, laughter, and a positive attitude – enjoy life!  Taylor holds a full time job and writes Romantic Suspense in her spare time. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and Bayou Writers' Group. 

AUTHOR LINKS:

Facebook / Amazon Author Page / Website

Goodreads /Twitter @tayloranne1234

Thank you for spending the day after Christmas with me, Taylor Anne, and for being my last author interview for the year.

Please leave a comment for Taylor! And have a beautiful Friday!