Interview with Anna Renee Hunter
Published 2018-07-17.
What do you read for pleasure?
I like to read outlandish erotic stories that boarder on bizarre and strange. I enjoy things that really make my head spin out of my normal way of thinking and into the mindset of someone else. It's really entertaining for me, and I really enjoy it.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I tend to read either on my phone or my laptop. I like PDF files and online readers.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in many different places. I lived with my parents as a child, then lived with my single mom for a while, then with my father, then moved in with my mom and her girlfriend, then I lived with my grandparents. I believe I moved around a lot because of trauma in my youth. I dealt with physical abuse from a baby sitter, my parents divorce, eating disorders, gender and sexuality crisis, death of a best friend, as well as an addict/alcoholic father. All these things influenced my desire for escapism, whether it be through writing or some other form of art. I believe how and where I grew up helped me make a solid fantastical world and characters within. Without those traumas I would not be who I am today, and I'm proud of who I turned out to be.
When did you first start writing?
I started writing and developing my fantasy world when I was in sixth grade, about 12 years old. Since then, I have character concepts that have grown with me and range at 10+ years old in the real world.
What's the story behind your latest book?
My latest book covers the very important short story about Regan Elora and the Wanderer Etole. I wanted to tell the story about how Regan got pregnant and introduce Etole better. Etole is a very important character in my stories.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I was at a convention and I went to a panel to learn about how I could go about publishing my erotic works. It really opened my eyes and inspired me to look into it, and the further I looked the more steps I made, and before I knew it, here I am.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
The greatest joy is writing something I can look back on and shiver (in a good way). If I write something that makes me sigh dreamily, makes my heart beat faster, or makes my heart ache, then I've accomplished something great!
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I like to spend my time doing lots of different things. I like sewing, I like playing video games, I like watching netflix, I like drawing, I like writing poetry and stories, I like spending time with my cat and I also love cooking.
What is your writing process?
Well, I like to write out a generalized list of things I want to happen in the story, so it helps me keep direction. I take one sentence of detailed things, or random words I put together, and I elaborate them into more expressive or imaginative paragraphs. It's a system that works really well for me.
How do you approach cover design?
I studied a lot about cover design by looking at other covers and titles of successful books. I wanted my book to evoke the setting and theme of the book as fantasy. So far, I've been able to digitally put together my covers using 3D Paint and I really enjoy it.
Describe your desk
My desk is my bed 98% of the time. Lots of pillows, snuggly cats, and easy to get naps while I work.
What are you working on next?
I'm working on a book of short stories. The last few years I've been doing a lot of art and writing short stories, preludes and other things.
What do your fans mean to you?
It feels so cool to have my work rated and shared by fans. It's surreal. It's still really new to me. I really love it. I love having a close relationship with fans through facebook where I can openly communicate to fans and with them.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
So far my most effective book marketing technique has been creating my facebook page. I've been able to invite all my friends/family to see what my books are about and show my art and make videos of the art I do to share. It's been great for spreading the word of my book, and I look forward to seeing where it takes me.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Smashwords showed me how to make an ebook and where I could sell my work. They taught me how to format, cover design, how to name my book, how to write a description of my book, and so much more. I don't know if I'd have ever published my work without Smashwords. I'm thankful for it.
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