Ask the Author: Annette V Hart
Answered Questions (11)
Annette V Hart
Not sure (and written rather quickly), could be more thriller...
Clearing the attic, I opened my husband's heavy old school trunk, unsure what he kept inside. A small, wooden jewellery box revealed seven gold wedding rings, one of which was smeared with dried blood.
Clearing the attic, I opened my husband's heavy old school trunk, unsure what he kept inside. A small, wooden jewellery box revealed seven gold wedding rings, one of which was smeared with dried blood.
Annette V Hart
I know this question was posed several years ago but I am answering it now, with this year in mind. With preparations to move house and short trips away, I am embracing rereading some old favourites: not too taxing but still enjoyable. I wanted to reread Agatha Christie's "Towards Zero" before the new BBC production comes out but I've packed it so I'm reading "Nemesis" instead. I am also planning to reread the early (and best) Mary Higgins Clark thrillers like "Where are the Children?" My eldest daughter's friend has just launched her debut novel so I intend to read that soon. It's a fantasy romance called "A Pocket of Lies" and she rides under the pen name R A Sandpiper. It's nice to be able to encourage the next generation and salute the bravery of committing to a writing career.
Annette V Hart
I love investigating my family history and there are a few stories and, still to uncover, mysteries in previous generations that could make a good book. For example, there is a family story that my grandfather rescued his twin brother during WWII but we don't know anymore than that... Or that my 4X great grandfather owned a lodging house and coffee shop on the Old Mile End Road in the late 1880s. Throw in that this is next to Whitechapel and a couple of his daughters were waitresses for him and... Or there is the rumour that one of my ancestors owned a pub frequented by Charles II and his mistresses...
My own life seems too average. I would have to bring in some fantasy or science fiction. Although, I did once start to write a story based on my short time in a children's home at the age of 9. With all the strong feelings around the events that led to being there, plus the event itself, I thought it would be a good start to a children's fantasy or mystery story, with a heavy dose of friendship building.
My own life seems too average. I would have to bring in some fantasy or science fiction. Although, I did once start to write a story based on my short time in a children's home at the age of 9. With all the strong feelings around the events that led to being there, plus the event itself, I thought it would be a good start to a children's fantasy or mystery story, with a heavy dose of friendship building.
Annette V Hart
Without any doubt, it would be Narnia first and I would love to visit the castle of Cair Paravel. Hopefully, I would get a room with a sea view. The Narnia stories were my first great book love. Next, I would love to visit Rivendell in Middle Earth. I'm hoping to also have a room with a view looking across the hidden land. It sounds like I'm setting out an a great holiday!
Annette V Hart
I'm Annette for work but it's always been shortened to Netty for family.
Annette V Hart
The idea for my current book was sparked by reading my grandmother's diary. It triggered ideas, questions and scenarios that have grown, whilst also giving me the true voice of a middle class 18 year old in WW2. It also provided me with lots of details that would be hard to research otherwise and gave me other avenues to investigate for further story lines and details.
Annette V Hart
I've always been a daydreamer so I think a lot of my inspiration can come from that. I think the daydreams themselves can be triggered by things I read, see and develop in my head.
Annette V Hart
I'm currently working on a WW2 story, very different from the fantasy I've written so far.
Annette V Hart
The best thing to do is to keep writing (anything and everything!) and to try scribbling or typing at least a little every day to encourage 'the flow' of what you are writing. I would also encourage sharing what you have written, if only with friends and family, even though this can be very scary!
Annette V Hart
I love 'seeing' how a character and a story develops, playing scenes - and changing them - like a film in my head.
Annette V Hart
I often find that a good, preferably solitary, walk helps get my ideas flowing although I'm not sure why. It might be the adrenaline, the removal of day-to-day distractions, or just the fresh air. Sometimes being out in the open can have the added benefit of stimulating setting descriptions too!
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