About Annette Drake:
Annette Drake is a multi-genre author whose work is character-driven and celebrates the law of unintended consequences.
Her novella, A Beautiful Day in Alaska, premiered Feb. 1st. A Year with Geno, her contemporary romance set in Eagle River, Alaska, was released on summer solstice, June 21st.
Other titles include Bone Girl and Celebration House.
Now, Annette turns her attention to penning her first cozy mystery – Death Comes to the Ogallala County Fair.
Annette makes her home in Washington state. A member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the Inland Northwest Writers Guild and Spokane Authors & Self Publishers, she loves libraries, basset hounds and bakeries. She does not camp. If she can help it.
What inspires you to write?
My characters! They tell me their stories, and I’m compelled to write them down and share them with anyone who will read them.
On my laptop, I have a folder titled, “The book I don’t want to write.” It’s historical fiction filled with such sadness, but the characters started talking. And I listen.
Tell us about your writing process.
I always know how the book starts and ends. It’s that darn middle part!
I think I’m somewhere in between a plotter and a pantser. I don’t write down every detail before I start drafting. For me, it’s writing one scene at a time. One word at a time. I read that authors write the first draft for themselves and revise for their readers. I think that’s probably true. Pleasing readers is always a part of my process.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Yes. To both. I talk with them. I cry with them. I’ve had moments of self-doubt when I thought, I’ll never finish writing this book. But if I don’t finish the book, then the characters who live on their pages wane and die. I can’t have that! So, I keep writing.
What advice would you give other writers?
Don’t quit. Don’t stop writing. As long as you show up everyday, even if it’s only to sit and stare at a blank screen, you are a writer. Embrace the title.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
When I finished writing and revising my middle-grade novel, Bone Girl, I couldn’t find a publisher for it. I decided to publish it myself. I quickly learned that although it’s a lot of work, for me, the rewards are worth it. I love the control. I love the decision making. It’s the best option for me.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
With e-readers and print-on-demand companies, writers have the ability to connect directly with our readers. What an exciting time to be an author!
What do you use?: Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers, Professional Editor
What genres do you write?: Romance, children’s, mystery
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Annette Drake Home Page Link
Link To Annette Drake Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on Smashwords