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Anita Dawes

Anita is unusual in that she writes in longhand instead of using a computer.  Below you’ll find out why!

1.  Whereabouts in the world do you live?

I live in England, near the south coast, one of the better parts of the country in my opinion.

2.  How long have you been writing novels?

It must be 25 years now, off and on. Life tries hard to get in the way sometimes, but I always manage to get back to my writing.

3.  Why do you prefer to write with pen and paper rather than on a computer?

When I started to write, not many people even had a computer. I instinctively didn’t like them. I did try, of course, but nothing seems real when I type the words.

4.  Have you ever enrolled on a basic computer course?

Personally, I would rather stick pins in my eyes. I have an ongoing love/hate relationship with computers.

5.  What do you find is the main problem of using a computer?

Emotions just don’t seem real enough when I type them. It’s as if the machine doesn’t care and this shows on the screen.

6.  Do you submit handwritten novels to agents, or do you get somebody to type them up?

Fortunately, my sister is better with computers. She has always transcribed my work, and together we make a formidable team.

7.  Will you continue to send manuscripts to agents, or do you now prefer to self- publish?

I never say ‘no’ to any opportunity, but time is against me, I think. Besides, you can have so much fun doing it yourself.

8.  Do you object to the phrase ‘Silver Surfers’ for internet users over 65?

No, I think it describes us perfectly. It suggests that we have merit and are actually worth something.

9.  What are you working on at the moment?

I am trying to finish a supernatural mystery that is set in Cornwall, but something radically different is trying to emerge too.

10.  You say that mainstream publishers find it hard to slot your books into a category. What are your books about?

Like most authors, my books tend to defy being labelled. I like so many different categories, and this shows in my work. Sometimes I find myself in dark, horrible places and sometimes a touch of the supernatural/fantasy appears. So my books are a mix of horror, fantasy and whatever my characters want to do.

11.  Which is your most popular book? Please give a brief synopsis.

Scarlet ribbons

When a dirty blue car mows her down outside her local supermarket, Maggie becomes trapped in the nightmare world of a coma patient.

Coming from a happy and contented marriage, Maggie is unprepared for the traumatic and violent lives she encounters in her travels.

In this very different world, Maggie rescues an abused and neglected child. When it begins to look as though she might finally wake up, she cannot bear the thought of leaving the child behind.

But is this other world real, or was she dreaming? And if it is real, can she help this child?

An unbelievable journey into a mysterious dream world, or is it?

12.   What did James Herbert advise you to do when you wrote to him?

James Herbert was very sweet, and explained that he made it a rule never to look at other writers work. He did arrange for me to meet his agent though.

13.  What do you think of audio books? Have you ever looked into making one?

Not really thought about audio books, probably because they remind me of listening to the radio, not something that appeals to me.

14.  Who is your favourite author?

It would be impossible for me to choose one, as I enjoy reading so many writers work. Again, this is probably due to my dislike of labels.

15.  If you had the choice, where in the world would you like to live?

I have always wanted to live in Cornwall. The rugged shores of Tintagel, where my soul is buried… I will get there one of these days…

16.  Do you have a Kindle, or do you prefer to read paperbacks?

I do have a kindle, but paperbacks are my favourite reading matter. I love to hold a book, touch and smell it. You cannot do that with a kindle.

17.  I am friends with a person who has seen an angel. Do you believe in angels?

I would love to believe, but I find it impossible. I think it is a man made concept, born out of desperation

18.  What is your theory as to why we’ve been put upon this earth?

Literally, to have fun and enjoy being here.

19.  What is the one thing that you cannot do without?

My family is very important to me, as is my notebook and pen, but my imagination and curiosity are the things I would hate to lose.

20.  Do you tend to take rejection letters to heart, or do you not put much store in other people’s opinions of your books?

I have had enough rejection letters to paper a small room, and accept that they are a painful part of being a writer. Negative reviews can be upsetting too, but as an outspoken person myself, I understand that everyone is entitled to their opinion.

One good review more than compensates.

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Thanks to Anita for answering my questions.  She can be found on the following links:

WordPress:  http://jenanita01.wordpress.com

Amazon.com: http://amazon.com/author/anitadawes

Amazon.co.uk:  http://amazon.co.uk/author/anitadawes

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/anita.dawes.37

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/jaydawes2/media

If anybody else would like an interview, please contact me on my website http://www.stevie-turner-author.co.uk like Anita did, and I will think up 20 questions for you.