Interview with Anita Dawes

Published 2014-11-30.
Who are your favorite authors?
A difficult question to answer, for there are so many. I read a lot and enjoy many different genres, but if pushed, I would have to include Dean Koontz, Stephen King, and Wilbur Smith. But in reality, the list would be endless.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
When I am not writing, I am reading, and would be hard pushed to say which I enjoy more.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
The first story I wrote will stay in my heart for all time, as it had a profound effect on me. Bad Moon was almost dictated to me, such was impetus I found myself under, but I loved every single word and although I have written many more stories, this one will always be special.
What is your writing process?
I am a paper and pencil girl. You could chain me to a computer for years and nothing would happen! My sister-in-law Jaye, on the other hand is managing to cope with all the editing and marketing, but then she has far more patience than I do. (And she is as stubborn as a mule which helps a lot!)
They say you are never too old to learn, but in my case never is another word for infinity!
How do you approach cover design?
We have a problem choosing covers, as you never know which one will be really suitable. We have tried professionally made covers, but they weren't quite right either.
We have come to the conclusion that as long as a cover is attractive and somehow evocative of the subject matter, it will work.
What do you read for pleasure?
Difficult question to answer, for as I said earlier, I read almost anything. I do tend to lean towards the supernatural, but if a book is well written with an interesting voice, I will enjoy reading it.
Describe your desk
I don't have a desk as I prefer to write in a comfortable armchair on a pad with a pencil. Nothing else seems to work for me. I can even write in the evenings when the rest of the family is watching TV.
how do I find my characters?
They tend to find me. I was listening to ‘Ruby, don’t take your love to town’ sung by Kenny Rogers and a few days later the characters for Bad Moon popped into my head and just took over. I seem to have an affinity with West Virginia and the people who live there. Just hearing the way they talk makes a connection in my head, maybe I lived there once in another life.
It was the same with Scarlet Ribbons. The words of that song put the characters in my head and they pulled me in.
Not so sure where the idea for Simple came from, even though it is a similar story to Bad Moon, but there was a girl at school when I was eleven who had a bad stammer, and I often wonder what became of her.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I have been writing fiction novels for a while now, but never managed to be picked up by any of the mainstream publishers. They all said they loved what I wrote, but found it hard to slot them into a category! It came tantalisingly close, but no cigar, as they say.

I realised I would have to try something else. I saved all of the rejection letters, because most of them had very encouraging comments. If my mother had slapped me as gently when I was a child, it wouldn't have hurt half as much!
I even wrote to James Herbert once in desperation and he was so kind and supportive, it gave me the inspiration to continue writing.

Now I am retired and with the help of my sister-in-law Jaye, (who has learnt to be a 'surfer') we decided to dust off some of my manuscripts and try to achieve the impossible with a second chance to find out if anyone out there likes the kind of books I write...
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Smashwords has been amazing! They were my first point of call, and once I managed to get through the 'meatgrinder' I didn't look back. I sold my first ever book with them and the response from readers has been wonderful.
Smashwords gave me much needed encouragement at a time when it was most needed and I will be eternally grateful that I found them. They have restored my belief in myself and my writing,
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I think the greatest joy for any author, is seeing their books for sale and actually being read by interested people.
And if you manage to receive any feedback, that is truly rewarding.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.

Books by This Author

Bad Moon
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 96,270. Language: English. Published: September 18, 2021 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » General
Can you imagine if the film Deliverance met The Walton's...
Not My Life
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 66,300. Language: British English. Published: August 10, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Coming of age
Someone haunts Sarah's dreams, someone who looks just like her, but who is she?
Let It Go
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 75,240. Language: British English. Published: February 13, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Adventure
(4.00 from 1 review)
My mother was the only good person in our house, coping patiently with a drunken, obsessive gambler of a husband and a daughter with an insatiable sexual appetite. I loved my father, but he kept us one step away from the poor house. Loving my sister was harder, basically because she hated me and constantly brought trouble to the door. Me? I couldn’t wait to grow up and live my own life.
Secrets
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 91,080. Language: English. Published: February 1, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Psychological thriller, Fiction » Science fiction » General
(5.00 from 1 review)
This haunting family drama is full of all the secrets and suspicions that control our lives. It is a story of deeply buried guilt that almost destroys a loving family
Simple ...
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 63,440. Language: American English. Published: December 19, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » General, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
(5.00 from 3 reviews)
The story of the nightmare world of the abused, of family bullying: and the violent and upsetting abuse of a mentally challenged man.
The Scarlet Ribbon
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 68,060. Language: English. Published: November 16, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » Fantasy
(5.00 from 4 reviews)
The Scarlet Ribbon is the heartbreaking supernatural story of Maggie Haynes, who finds herself in a coma after a car accident.