Interview with Alisa Cornett

Published 2017-01-22.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Most of the time I spend my day reading or cleaning my house. When I have writers block I like to go on hikes to get inspired or people watch. I also enjoy talking to my friends and followers.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes, it was my seventh grade English assignment. I wrote a story about a girl who was best friends with a dragon. What inspired me to keep writing was when they had use read it to the lower grades and just to see them smile in wonder and go all quiet listening. That was the most amazing experience to entertain my readers.
How do you approach cover design?
Designing a cover really is difficult because I don't always know what my story will end up like. Normally I like nature backgrounds unless I find something that really connects with the main character. I don't design it to sell and get peoples attention but to tell part of the story by itself. It's like the saying a picture is worth 1000 words.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I love wattpad it's an app that allows anyone to write on it. It also helps with interaction between the reader and the writer. That's what I love most being able to have an understanding of my readers. After all they get to see inside my head when they read my work so I would like to know them as well.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
Being annoyingly persistent and bugging my friends to help. I'm not much on marketing but I put all my effort into things that I do.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
The greatest joy is when I see my friends faces reading my story. How they have a love hate relationship with my story. The most thrilling part is when I discover new things that I put into my work and it changes everything completely. I like the unexpected surprise and having the ability to show people worlds that only exist inside my head.
What do your fans mean to you?
They mean everything to me. I learn so much from them and they are what keeps me going. I don't believe I ever could write again if I didn't at least have one person supporting me.

"It is a sin to write this. It is a sin to think words no others think and to put them down upon a paper no others are to see. It is base and evil. It is as if we were speaking alone to no ears but our own. And we know well that there is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone. We have broken the laws. The laws say that men may not write unless the Council of Vocations bid them so. May we be forgiven!"
Ayn Rand, Anthem
What do you read for pleasure?
I read everything I can get my hands on. I love to see others works because I like to try and get into the authors head. Mostly I enjoy fantasy or historical fiction or science fiction. Something that will take me far away from I am now where I can explore with new scenes. I like to be able to picture what I read like I'm the one living it.
Who is your favorite author?
My favorite author is Amanda Hawkins her book switched is the first book I ever read. Really she's the one that caused my reading addiction.
What is your writing process?
First I have a strange character pop into my head and I watch as their life unfolds around them. I don't start writing until I'm sure this is who I want to write about normally it's some strange person in a dream. Once I make the decision to write I think it's absolute trash and stuck it away until it bugs me making me write more. Then I force my friends to read it they are really supportive of me and encourage me to keep writing. It's their loving reaction that gets me to finish something.
Have you always loved to read and write?
Honestly no, I was a really active child and hated the idea of sitting still to read or write. I still sometimes get frustrated with it actually. The only reason I ever started reading was because I became depressed and used books as a way to escape. Now it's a lovely addiction of mine and I wouldn't change the way things happened. Just because you didn't like something before doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a try to see if you like it. You never know if you don't try.
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