Did you always want to be an author?
I not so secretly wanted to be an actress for a very long time, because being an author seemed too out of reach, ironically. But a writer of something (screenplays, novels, poetry) was a close second career choice.
How did you start writing?
I started writing short stories as a child, switched to poetry as a teen, and have been writing novel-length fiction as an adult. Publishing happened when a friend of mine told me I could take the writing I’d been doing “for fun” and make a career out of it.
What do you read when you’re reading?
I read a lot of dark romance, but I sprinkle it with lighter romance when I get good recommendations. I’m a genre jumper, and will read anything from urban fantasy to paranormal to sci-fi and contemporary. I’m an equal-opportunity reader if the story is good.
Did you always write romance?
I started writing fantasy, but it always ended up with a romantic twist. Slowly, those twists became the focus of the story, and they got dirtier and kinkier as time went on, but the romance is always the focus of my story.
What are some of your favorite movies?
Poltergeist (80’s version), Signs, Tombstone, Captain America: The Winter Soldier. As with my books, I like a variety of movies.
What are your favorite tropes?
I’m a sucker for enemies to lovers, but I’m also a sucker for friends to lovers. I’ll never turn down a good kidnapping/captive trope and I’m also a fan of books that involve secret societies.
I really want to write a book. Where should I start?
Sit down at a keyboard and start typing. I know that sounds easier than it is, but that’s my best advice. Develop habits, let your brain go where it wants to go, find a plotline or characters you love and let them develop. Your first drafts/stories will have holes, but that’s where good friends and editors can help. Sharing your work can be scary! But it gets easier over time. The important thing is to keep at it and see what happens!
Outside of all the writing stuff, who are you?
A huge dork. No really, I’m a huge dork. I have a penchant for anything nerdy – comics, manga, anime, fantasy, sci-fi. I like everything from Lord of the Rings to Doctor Who and whatever you could name in-between there. I’m also a sucker for good video games, especially ones that can give me a scare or tell a good story. I love animals. I have four of them, three cats and a dog, and I’d get more if my spouse allowed it. I spend a lot of my time daydreaming different stories and how to write them. In addition to my work here, I also write contemporary romance and romantic suspense under the name Anastasia Fenne.