Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
Open for Submissions
Exclusive Interview with
Annette Bower
When did you start writing?
I've written for a long time. I believed I was a writer in the early 2000s.
What makes writing your passion?
If I was a painter, I'd have lots of canvases stacked up around my home. If I was a knitter, I'd have many blankets and hats to give away. If I was a potter, I'd make cups and bowls. As a writer, I have backed up files in the cloud, and of course lots of paper I can't get rid of. I like to explore relationships and writing allows me to do that.
How long have you been writing?
I have been many things, a student, both as a child, teenager and adult. I trained to be a nurse and used that knowledge in many areas of my life. I trained to be an administrator, and used those skills as well. I am a mother and grandmother, and all that goes with coming from a large family. However, my first book was published about 2010 and I've had about 100 short stories published too. My fifth novel will release shortly.
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
Amazement. But more so, the acceptance and a contract from a publisher. Then working through the edits to polish the story. The challenge of suggesting what the story is about for a cover designer. I enjoy all of the stages.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
I usually find a heroine and then want to learn where she is in her life and what she needs to share with the world. Then I find a hero who is going in a similar direction toward love.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
The need to learn so very much about marketing and then actually do the things I've learned.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
Write 100 words a day. Think about the story, but your goal should be at least 100 words a day.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
Join a supportive group of writers. They do no have to be in your genre but they do have to understand all the ups and downs. Don't use that group as a critique group. Have a separate one for critiques if you need one.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Keep having adventures and taking chances. You'll be okay.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
Yes, I read reviews when I remember to. In this day and age of review algorithms, it is necessary to have reviews. Depending on my mood, I will consider what the reviewer said. Perhaps they have a point I should consider.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
I feel humbled and thankful a reader took the time to share their thoughts and feelings about my story.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Yes, it is difficult not to include real life situations. I may have been a participant but more than likely I was an observer.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
In my own stories. None. No, I do not base my characters on me. There are much more interesting opportunities out in the wide world to draw from and meld together into a fictional character.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
Yes, the cover tells the story in an image. A talented book cover designer can work miracles to entice a reader to open the pages and explore the book.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I love having chats with readers, especially after a reading.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
Amazing. Honored. Shy. I remind myself to accept the compliment with grace.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
I read too widely to chose one author. They each bring me something for comfort and joy.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
As big as I become.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
I have re-edited one book. My novel, Moving On was published by a small publisher who went out of business. My present publisher agreed to publish it. I had a new editor and she made a few suggestions. As a wise author once told me, previous stories reflect who we were when we wrote them.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
We each have our own path.
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
Nothing. If I want to amuse myself, I check the other items they reviewed.
What would you say to your readers?
Thank you for joining me on my characters journey toward love.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I live in Regina, the capital city of the province of Saskatchewan, in the country of Canada. I live in a downtown condo but I can see the farmland on the horizon and the international airport bringing people home and taking them away, too. I am married and have two adult sons. They have married lovely women who have shared their children with us. These lovely girls call us grandpa and granny.
What is your day job if you have one?
My day job is a writer, a wife, a grandmother, a daughter, sister, cousin, and friend.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I love to travel, walk and bicycle ride in my community. I want to see how people live. How they communicate with one another. My hobby is to be the best person I can be.
Did you have a happy childhood?
Yes in hindsight. No while I was going through it. When I saw the small scar on my finger I was sure I had been adopted. When I sang and scrubbed my grandmother's stoop, I was disappointed that Walt Disney did not discover me and make me a star.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
A wish to write the books I loved to read.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
No. I'm not that fast a writer. I write a novel and hope it will be contracted. When it is I start another.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
Oh man, I worked in a school for a while as a teacher's assistant. These are professionals that need a lot of support. I wouldn't dream of giving them advice.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
As one of my favorite lines in Miss Congeniality with Sandra Bullock said, "and World Peace."
What is your favorite music?
Country music for the stories it tells.
Share a secret with us 🙂
If I shared it, it would no longer be a secret. I try not to keep secrets, they have a way of grinding holes in your dreams.