December 26, 2014

Author Interview with Taylor Anne

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Today I have Taylor Anne, author of Heat Flash and A Christmas Santa, telling us about an anthology she contributed to with a book that is the first in a three book series.


Please tell us about your current release, Taylor Anne.

The Beginning of Time is a short story published in Journeys – Bayou Writers Group Anthology Vol 1. This story is the prologue to a three book series about a diverse group of people from all walks of life. Three women meet early in life and form a lifelong bond. It touches on the struggles and trials and loves of everyday life. This is the beginning of their stories.


BOOK LINKS:

1. What inspired you to write this book?

I was wanting to let women and men know that everybody struggles with day to day life and the trials that are thrown at them. Abuse, infidelity, cancer, infertility, loneliness, anger….Those are just some of the struggles life gives us. The key is in your attitude and how you handle each situation. Always – Always keep a positive attitude and take life one day at a time. 

2. A positive attitude is a must. Is The Beginning of Time part of a series?

Yes, The Beginning of Time, is the first book of three. Time, Devotion, Perseverance. Release date on those books will be announced at a later date.

3. Did you do special research for The Beginning of Time?

All the time! Research – OMG. Everything I do is research. This story really drew on my personal experiences, as well as those of my family friends. The retreat house in the book really inspired some of the people’s emotions and stories. When you get together for four days with a group of women (and a little wine) you really open up to each other and realize we all deal with the same basic issues in life. I am thankful for the retreat house and the hostess there for all she has done for us.  

4. Are any of your characters based on real people?

Loosely based on real people. I’ve basically taken people’s emotions, physical characteristics, personality traits and combined them into unique characters. I want people to pick up this book and say, “Wow, she wrote my story.” There’s a little bit of you (the reader) in every story.

Taylor Anne having fun!

5. If you could give your book to anyone in the world to read (dead or alive) who would it be and why?

I plead the fifth….I cannot answer that question on the grounds that it may incriminate me… uh—my characters. <wink wink>

6. I'll let that one pass. What is the silliest thing you ever did while writing a story?

Let me tell you a short story. Me, Brandy, and our DH’s were at a concert one night. The sexy guitar player was removing his guitar strap and well, I kinda lost it. Just yelled out above the crowd, “Take it off. Take it all off!” Brandy died laughing, and DH just looked at me, shook his head, and smiled. (He gets a kick out of watching me have a good time.) Later on we see the band members at the bar. Sexy guy is leaning against the bar and Brandy pushes me forward. “Go take a picture with him.” So, I do. Standing there seeing our reflection in the mirror, it hit me. That would be the perfect scene in a book I am currently working on. Silly, yes…but that what happens when Brandy and I get together and drink free wine.                    

7. That's hilarious! Free wine can certainly do that to you. Have you ever experienced something unusual that influenced a story?

A character influence instead of a story influence. Picture this: Brandy and I are in an Adult “Novelty” Store looking for a birthday present for a friend. She is intently checking out the blow-up midget doll when the door bell chimes and heels clack on the wooden floor. We turn to see this androgynous person wearing red stiletto’s sashaying through the aisles, working it like I wish I could. Brandy’s mouth is wide open, the midget completely forgotten. He stops in front of the women’s lingerie, whips a teddy off the rack, and says to his friends, “Does this match my heels for the party tonight?” Brandy and I look at each other and exclaim, “Morgan.” And that is how his character came about.

8. Character influence can come from the most unlikeliest of places. Tell us about your writing process.

If I am writing in the morning, I like to have a hot cup of coffee next to me and quiet eighties music playing in the background. Later in the day, the scene changes. Ever hear the saying “write drunk, edit sober?” <winks> Okay, that’s not exactly how I do it, but sometimes that glass of wine helps set the frame of mind.

Turn up the music, fill my glass with wine (or coffee), and write.  Music and wine – the answer to (almost) everything.


BIO:

Taylor Anne lives in Southwest Louisiana with her husband. God and family come first. After that, it’s all about having fun and enjoying life. Add music, wine, food, cats, laughter, and a positive attitude – enjoy life!  Taylor holds a full time job and writes Romantic Suspense in her spare time. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and Bayou Writers' Group. 

AUTHOR LINKS:
Goodreads /Twitter @tayloranne1234


Thank you for spending the day after Christmas with me, Taylor Anne, and for being my last author interview for the year.


Please leave a comment for Taylor! And have a beautiful Friday!


44 comments:

  1. haha oh what free wine can do. Everyone struggles at times indeed

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    1. Everyone sure does! Thanks for stopping by, Pat!

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    2. Hi Pat! Keep those struggles to a minimum. Thanks for stopping by.

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  2. What? Where do you get free wine? Ha! I love your story about finding characters in real life and the guy in the sex shop? He sounds so colorful and a perfect subject. Nice to meet you Taylor Anne and thanks for sharing your writing process. I am with you on the coffee and wine (much later in the day). I'll have to try the 80's music though. Thanks for another great interview Chrys!

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    1. Free wine for everyone! ;) Thanks for leaving Taylor a comment, Lisa! I hope you had a beautiful Christmas!!

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    2. Hi Lisa! About that free wine - the casino. And no, I am not a gambler. I don't see the joy in that. But I'll go for a good concert and good food! Characters and stories are everywhere - just look around. Nice to meet you!

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    3. Right! Off I go to the casino. There are stories there, too. Thanks, Taylor Anne and Chrys. :)

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  3. You're just up the road, Taylor. Good luck with your short story. Loved about the guitar player. I used to sing C&W and adored being flirted with.

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    1. Hey CottonSr. It's all about the music! Thanks for stopping by today.

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  4. I always enjoy your interviews gives one an insight of the author,
    Loved the photo of Taylor "Having Fun" I enjoy going down slides in a childs park..

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    1. I agree, Chrys does an awesome job on her interviews. I thank her for having me today. And thank you, Nashvillecats, for stopping by.

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    2. Thank you, Yvonne and Taylor! :)

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  5. I'd like to siphon some of your positive attitude and add it to our water supply. I like to have fun and everyone rolls their eyes and attributes it to me being a crazy writer. I don't care. That's what happens when you do what you love.

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    1. They just think I am crazy in general... but it doesn't stop me from being positive. Thanks for saying Hi!, Sandra. Stay positive! lol

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  6. Great insight into finding character ideas from every day life. If shopping in an adult store is everyday life. LOL. Great interview.

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    1. Okay so the adult store is not everyday.... Really.... Thanks for the good words, Susan. Nice to meet you!

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  7. Taylor, I love how you came up with this series. In dealing with everyday struggles, you help readers gravitate toward your characters. And I love the titles of your books. May have to check this series out!
    Thanks for sharing, Chrys. I hope you both had a wonderful Christmas!!

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    1. Hi Gina! Nice of you to stop by. Keep checking my facebook for updates on the series. Hard at work on it. Thanks, I had a great Christmas and I hope you did as well!

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    2. Thanks for visiting today, Gina! I want to check out Taylor's series, too. :)

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    1. Awwww.... thanks Jess! Hope your Christmas was wonderful! Thanks for dropping in...

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  9. As the day after Christmas winds down and we all prepare for the New Year, I just want to say thanks to everyone that took time out of their schedules and stopped by. Hop on over to my fb page and give me a like. I'll do the same for you as well. And a big, huge thanks to Chrys Fey! It's people like you that help make being an author so much fun. Nice meeting you all..... I'll be hanging around a little longer. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!

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    1. You're welcome, Taylor! I'm glad I could bring with interview to my readers. I'd love to have you back anytime. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! :D

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  10. A lot of the best pieces of work seem to have a ton of research behind them.

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    1. They do, indeed. Thanks for visiting, Michael!

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    2. Lots of research! Nice to meet you, Michael.

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    3. Going to the beach... Research... Going shopping with your bff.... Research....Texting back and forth on the phone... Brainstorming...I don't think our hubbys always believe us but We really do work on projects during our "adventures"

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    4. Yes, DaisyDoo - It's all for the projects! lol

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  11. Firstly, the cover of the anthology is very interesting.Taylor, your answer to question one is stellar. So true - it's not the situations in our lives that mold us but how we handle then. Bravo!

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    1. Credit for the cover goes to a fellow author, Tara Elizabeth. She does awesome work! Thank you so much! I am a big promoter of being positive no matter what comes your way. It is the best way to deal with some situations. Negativity breeds negativity; positivity breeds positivity! So nice to meet you, SA Larsen.

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  12. Congrats on your release! Sounds like you have a great approach to life. Hope you have a successful 2015.

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    1. Thanks for leaving Taylor a comment, Nick!

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    2. Thanks Nick! Happy New Year to you! Stay positive!

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  13. Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2015.

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    1. I hope your Christmas was beautiful, Patsy, and 2015 holds much happiness for you!

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  14. congrats Taylor! and I have to say I am a huge fan girl. I love concerts and I tend to scream ridiculous things at the hot band members. No shame!

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    1. Nothing wrong with being a fan girl. ;)

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    2. HaHa.... Love it! Fan girls make it happen! Happy New Year!

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  15. Great interview, Fey, as always. And, Tyler Anne, I love riding those carts in the parking lots, too.
    Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com

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