From Ada Brownell: I was one of the first to read and review Masquerade Marriage by Anne Greene shortly after it was released. Of course I gave it five stars, because it's a great book. I hope my interview with Anne here reveals some of why she's a great writer. I certainly enjoyed the answers to my questions. Thanks, Anne, for being my guest and sharing how all of those wonderful things flow from your mind to the page for us to enjoy.
1. When Anne
Greene sits down to create a new novel, what does she do? She has a
fresh idea with an interesting setting, sits down and starts typing. She is a
total seat-of-the-pants writer. As she dives deeper into the story, she discovers
her heroine and hero and hopefully the theme. But sometimes the theme doesn’t
emerge until the first draft is finished.
2. How do
your previous novels affect the process? I learn so much from each
previous novel, not only through research, but through continuing to study the
writing craft. I want to write the best possible books I can for my Savior. I
love the very deep point of view that is now popular with writers and readers.
I love the details in each book that help make the book authentic. I love the
entire process of writing. I think each book seasons me more as a writer.
3. How
long did it take to do the research on warriors in your book, Masquerade
Marriage? The warrior part came easily. I live with a warrior, my
Special Forces Colonel husband. When I visited the site of the last great
Scottish battle, the Battle of Culloden, and gazed over the battlefield, I was inspired
to write Masquerade Marriage. When I discovered that one decisive battle
contributed greatly to the destruction of the Highland Clan way of life, I knew
I had to write that story. I hope the readers’ discovering that everything
changed in the Highlands after that battle makes it impossible for them to
resist reading Masquerade Marriage,
and when the sequel, Marriage By Arrangement,
releases soon, that they will desire to read that as well.
4. Did
it take a certain mindset to enter or create such a society? I have
Scottish heritage and have delved deeply into the Scottish history. I visited
all over Scotland and loved every minute. Scotland is a beautiful land, and its
people are welcoming and friendly. I even enjoy Haggis. So, I found it quite
natural to enter into the pages of Scotland’s history and make that time come
alive for the reader. My process of writing is much like watching a movie and
translating that into the written page for readers. So, for me to go back in
time is quite an easy project.
5. You
created such in-depth characters, who they are makes them real. Did you work on
character traits by themselves, or did they grow out of the story? Thank
you for the great compliment. Once I get my subject and my setting in place,
somehow my characters spring to life by themselves. Of course, as I get to know
them better, as they talk to me, and show me what makes them tick, I refine
them. But I’ve never completed a character interview sheet until much later,
perhaps during the second draft of a book. I don’t really know where these
characters come from, but they are so rewarding to get to know. I think they
are formed from the history of the event. For instance, surviving a battle
would call for a warrior. Rebelling against a father’s dictates would
necessitate a spunky heroine. Becoming the woman your father expects of you
calls for an obedient, loyal, loving person. And so the characters emerge,
mostly whole, including their descriptions.
6 . Does
genuine love eventually blossom in this latest book? Yes, Marriage By Arrangement calls for a
totally different kind of love. Because of the circumstances of their lives,
each of my heroines and each hero must make the greatest sacrifice for the
loved one before they can live happily ever after. And I believe a person can
only truly love if they know the author of love, so each must come to a loving
relationship with God’s Son, Jesus.
7. What
do you enjoy most about writing a book, besides having it completed and
published? I love the whole process. However, while writing the first
draft there is always the shadow of doubt that maybe I’ll write myself into a
corner with the difficulties my protagonists suffer, and they won’t emerge with
that happy ending. During the second draft, I have no such problem. So, I
really love the rewrite. All the rewrites. I love working with words until they
sing and drawing pictures until the book is visual and deepening the
characters. I just love the whole process. I’m always a little sad when the
book is finished. It’s like saying goodbye to old friends and to places I love
to visit.
8. Do
your characters have spiritual lessons to share? Yes, my characters are
human, so they are flawed. They have lessons to learn along life’s journey.
They share what they’ve discovered. Sometimes they gain a new life in Christ.
Sometimes they return to the Lord after a time of bitterness. Sometimes their
spiritual life deepens as they watch another character struggle with his
spiritual issues. I don’t plan the spiritual message. It comes from whatever
issues a character faces. And like the theme, sometimes the spiritual message
only rises to the surface during the final draft.
ANNE GREENE delights in writing about wounded heroes
and gutsy heroines. Her second novel, a Scottish historical, Masquerade
Marriage, won the New England Reader Choice award, the Laurel Wreath
Award, and the Heart of Excellence Award. The sequel Marriage By Arrangement releases soon. A Texas Christmas Mystery
also won several awards. In 2014, her
World War II novel, Angel With Steel Wings, about WASPs, women test pilots will
release. She makes her home in McKinney, Texas. In 1990, Anne graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree
in Literary Studies from the University of Texas. Tim
LaHaye led her to the Lord when she was twenty-one and Chuck Swindoll is her
Pastor. View Anne’s other books, her blog, travel pictures, and art work at http://www.AnneGreeneAuthor.com.
Anne loves to speak to book clubs, libraries, and conferences. Her love of sailing, horseback riding, history,
and art, as well as her Citizens Plano Policy Academy training, and military
life sometime figure in her books. She judges the Rita, Golden Heart, Book of
the Year, and many other contests. A Critique and Writing Craft group meets at
her home on Monday nights.
Her highest hope is that her stories transport the
reader to an awesome new world and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual
relationship with the Lord Jesus. Buy Anne’s books at http://www.PelicanBookGroup.com.
Or at http://www.Amazon.com.
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