THE DYNAMIC ANN CHRISTOPHER

by Wayne Jordan

1. Ann, tell us a bit about ROAD TO SEDUCTION and your online story “One Night Only”?

ROAD TO SEDUCTION is Eric Warner’s story.  He’s about to fall in love with his best friend since college, Isabella Stevens, during a rocky road trip to a wedding.  It’s a very poignant book.

"One Night Only" is the story of widowed single mother, Rosa Matthews, who finds unexpected love again with Philip Anderson, her late husband’s best friend and a man who’s always hated her—or so she thinks.  Here’s a link.

2. When you’re not writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Spare time???  What’s that?  When I’m not writing, cooking, running to the grocery store or Target or chauffeuring the kids, you mean?  That three minutes per day?  I like to read—you guessed it—romance novels.

3. What would you say is responsible for your critical success and your popularity with readers?

Thanks for the kind words.  Trying to figure out how anything works in this business is like trying to read tea leaves while blindfolded—it’s a recipe for disaster!  All I can do is try to write the best, most emotionally gripping and sexy story that I can.  After that—pray!

4. What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment (as a writer) to date?

Oh, wow.  I think for a writer, finishing a book is a HUGE step.  There are so many people who say they’d love to write, but then they never sit down and do the work to finish a book.  So I guess I’m pleased to have finished books that satisfied ME.  I think you have to write for yourself first.  After that, so much of the process is out of your hands. 

5. If you were introducing a new reader to your work, which one would you choose and why?

Hmmm … I tend to fall in love with each new set of characters and think that this is the best book.  At the moment, and this could change tomorrow, I think I’d recommend TENDER SECRETS or ROAD TO SEDUCTION.  Both are intensely emotional books and I love the Warner family in all their dysfunction!  And I’m biased, of course, but I think Andrew and Eric Warner are sexy heroes.  

6. How has your life changed since you became a published author?

You know, it hasn’t changed all that much except that now I’m paid to do what I love to do.  I still worry about the career, but instead of, “will this new set of agents reject my manuscript?” it’s “will this book earn out?” or “will I get another contract?”  And I have been fortunate to form some wonderful friendships with other authors.

7. How have you changed as a writer since that first book?

A lot, I hope!  My first book is unpublish-ably bad because I had no idea what I was doing.  I mean NOOOOO idea.  Since then, I’ve read a lot of books about the craft and tried to learn everything I could about writing.

8. What do you like most about being a published author?

Ummm … getting paid?  Is this a trick question?

No, wait!  I love hearing from readers.  That’s a wonderful perk—when they like the book, that is!

9. What has been the most difficult thing about being a published author who writes African-American Romance? 

Well, I spend a fair amount of time wondering about where my books are shelved and whether they’re placed in areas of bookstores that’ll attract the widest possible audience.

10. What advice would you give an aspiring author?

Like Winston Churchill said, “Never, never, never quit.”  If this is what you want to do, don’t give up on yourself.  Oh, and put your butt in that chair and write.  *VBG!*

11. Tell us a bit about the process you use when you write a novel.

Usually I sit down to think up an idea.  This can be quite painful.  I don’t believe in the muse striking and waiting until she does.  If there is a muse, I figure she’ll know where to find me if I’ve got my behind in the chair every day.  I write a proposal (3 chapters and a synopsis) and then, if that sells, I write the story during the day while the kids are in school, researching (if needed) along the way.  The process isn’t glamorous at all, sadly.

12. Agent or not?

Unagented at the moment.

13. Tell us a bit about your next great masterpiece. 

I’m not sure I’ve written ANY great masterpieces yet, but thanks for the faith!

I’m about to turn in my first romantic suspense, which is the first of three books about DEA agents and the drug kingpin they’re trying to bring down.

And in September, my next Kimani Romance, Campaign for Seduction, will hit the shelves.  It’s the story of Senator John Warner, who inconveniently falls in love with journalist Liza Wilson while running for president. 

14. If there was one thing you could tell your readers what would it be?

Thanks for the support and the word of mouth!  I really appreciate it!

15. How can readers contact you? 

Through my website: www.AnnChristopher.com.

Thanks for having me!

ROMANCE IN COLOR would like to thank Ms. Christopher for taking time out of her busy schedule to share with us.