Welcome back for yet another interview with a young writer! Today I have the pleasure of talking with Anna Grace, the author of Before the World Changed, and Across All Borders! Anna, welcome.
Q: So, for starters, how long have you been writing?
A: That's always a bit of a hard question for me to answer! I don't have a concrete memory of the first story I wrote, or anything like that. I know from what my family tells me and from my own memories that I have always been a bit of a storyteller. I would make up characters to be my imaginary friends and present original puppet shows to my family. I was in fourth or fifth grade when I really started to take writing seriously, but I was still far from where I am today.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about being a writer?
A: Really, it often comes down to the fact that I believe this is a tool and gift God has given me. My desire and constant prayer is for Him to use me to tell His story, both through my life as a whole and specifically through my writing, and I find such a simplistic beauty in that.
Q: What genre do you primarily write in?
A: I generally write Christian contemporary, but it can be a bit flexible. My novelette is considered historical, and my second book, while still technically being contemporary, is a poetic narrative.
Q: What is your most current work-in-progress about?
A: I have two main WIPs I'm working on right now. I don't have wonderful summaries for them, so I'm going to just skim the surface here. But, as always, if you have any questions or want to know more, please reach out to me! The first project's working title is Not a Drill, and the main event is a school shooting. The main character is chronically ill, and I also try to weave the thread of redemption throughout the story. My second one is called In the Broken Places, and it's dual POV. There's a fair amount of contrast in the story: fear vs. peace, life vs. death, passion vs. desire, to name a few.
Q: How do you deal with writers’ block when it comes on?
A: I try to get myself excited. I write about topics that are important to me, so I attempt to keep that in mind while I write. When I'm writing the difficult or particularly heavy parts, I often have to stop and ask God to help me remember my why.
Q: What are some of your favorite writing resources?
A: The Young Writer's Workshop has helped me so, so much as a writer. I cannot recommend that resource enough!
Q: And finally, if you could give one tip to any writer, what would it be?
A: Something I have said in the past is: Just write. Maybe it’s because I’m rather a pantser, but I do find a bit of value in the strange fact that there’s nothing about writing that isn’t all about, well, writing. Also, writing takes time. Be okay with that, and don’t rush yourself, or your writing. Trust me on that one. Be patient. Words are hard, sometimes more than others, but that’s simply how it is, for everyone, especially writers. It’s so amazing to me how people can take 26 random symbols and arrange them in such ways as to not only communicate, but to also transform people. I don’t know about you, but when I think about it that way, being patient with my pen sometimes becomes a little bit easier.
Thank you so much, Anna! I'm truly honored!
Want to find out more about Anna? Check her out below:
Tallyho!
Deigan
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