Author Bio:
Anne is a freelance artist, author and teacher based in Cheshire, United Kingdom. She works in textiles and mixed media. Felt-making, dyeing and stitching are the big cornerstones in her work.
Anne is also a member of the International Feltmakers’ Association and has written for publications worldwide including ‘Flair’, a magazine for machine embroidery enthusiasts and ‘Craft It Now!’, a multi-craft book by F & W Media Inc.
What inspires you to write?
I write in the art and craft genre. The things I make and the images associated with those objects inspire me to write. So words and art go hand-in-hand for me.
For ‘Feeling Felty’ (listed on this site) it all began as an idea in a Blog post that gradually turned into a fully, illustrated guide to the wonderful art of felt-making. I wanted a platform to shares my ideas to help people who want to make things, do something new and inject more creativity into their lives. If just one person will feel my book is going to make a difference to them, then that’s all the inspiration I need!
Tell us about your writing process.
I think any publication for craft has to be primarily visual. So my starting point is having lots of images on my monitor. From that I will write a synopsis and chapter-by-chapter plan – I often do this on a roll of paper and stick it to the wall – I can doodle on it when I need a short break!! My overall plan is flexible though, just in case a sudden flash of inspiration hits me and I want to change direction.
I write in short bursts…and try to remember that the secret of good writing is the editing. So I put my finished manuscript on one side, come back to it a few days or weeks later and my mistakes will show up more clearly.
What advice would you give other writers?
Get on and write your book or tutorial – don’t put it off! The hardest part is starting, but once you’ve got those first few pages under your belt, the rest will follow. Try to write in short bursts…and remember the secret of good writing is the editing.
It’s a good idea to have a clear vision of who you are writing for. I would always advise doing market research and look at other books on the market. How would your book differ from those already out there? Be different – stand out from the crowd!
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I decided to go down the self-publishing route. I felt I would have more control over content and layout this way. ‘Feeling Felty’ is available through the Blurb Bookstore. I liked the fact that people could purchase it in a range of different formats: Hardcover/Softcover/e-Book for i-Pad. One thing to bear in mind is that I had to be the writer/proofreader/desk-top publisher/photographer/indexer for this project. So self-publishing is very hands-on. However, I learned a great deal and I certainly think those skills will stand me in good stead for the future.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think electronic publishing is the future. Not sure if it will completely replace traditional books, but a revolution is definitely happening. One thing is certain though, people will always want to read whatever the format or device!
What genres do you write?
Art & Craft, Educational, Costume History
What formats are your books in?
eBook, Print
Website(s)
Anne Glynis Davies Home Page Link
Link to Author Page on other site
Your Social Media Links
http://www.twitter.com/AnneArty
http://www.pinterest.com/u2cancraft/
