Into the Fire

Ane is my lifesaver at Novel Rocket where I'm privileged to post once a month. Without her I could never get the pictures situated with articles. She's gracious, fun-loving, multi-skilled, a beautiful southern belle, and her debut novel (available for pre-order) will release Monday, September 8th, 2014. We did an interview for you just to set the tone and give you a taste of what to expect in Chapel Springs Revival.

While a large, floppy straw hat is her favorite, Ane has worn many different ones: hairdresser, legislative affairs director (that's a fancy name for a lobbyist), drama director, playwright, humor columnist, and novelist. Her lifetime experience provides a plethora of fodder for her Southern-fried fiction (try saying that three times fast). She firmly believes coffee and chocolate are two of the four major food groups. President of the award-winning literary site, Novel Rocket, Ane resides in Suwanee, GA, with her artist husband, her chef son, and two very large dogs.

Ane, I'm probably the only person on planet earth who isn't sure how to pronounce your name. So tell me.

It's pronounced like plain old Ann, or Anne. The funny thing is, one person pronounced it like Jane without the "J" for ages. She finally got it right. Then I got an iPhone and Siri says it the same way. So you aren't the only one to not know. ;o)

Part One

1. First question I like to ask authors/writers is this one. Who is Ane Mulligan as you perceive yourself?

I laugh loud, talk loud, love theater and books, and I'm a princess—a daughter of the King, who's lived long enough to no longer care what people think if I wear white before Memorial Day or after Labor Day. If I want to wear it, I'll wear it. My mama is probably rolling over in her grave right now.

2. What do you like most about your fiction writing? Be honest.

I love exploring and creating characters, discovering the secrets in their lives. Digging deep into their motivations makes them come alive to me. Then I can systematically dismantle their world. Insert evil laughter. Finally, I love mixing that with some humor, to deliver a story I hope will change lives.

3. How did you discover you were going to write novels?

Now there's a story. I'd been a published playwright for a few years, but never thought about writing novels. In 2002, I left my job and was looking for a new one. One day, Hubs said, "You've been buying and reading books for years. It's time you write one."

Who, me?

Then, it was as if God knocked me upside the head and said, "Listen." And an idea for a book tickled my imagination.

Hmm. I wondered if I could.

Little did I know how much I had to learn.

4. You've decided on the traditional publishing route and it's taken some time to meet your goal. Tell us about your particular journey.

Do you have an hour? No? Okay, here's the Reader's Digest condensed version. I sat down Jan 1^st, 2003, and started my first manuscript. Back then, traditional was the only way I knew to go. It became a dream.

I worked hard to learn what I needed to learn. And was there a lot! POV? Never heard of it. Omniscient was something God is. Show don't tell? How in the world do you tell a story without telling?

I met some other writers online and we became critique partners. We pushed each other hard to attain the dream we shared. But God has to be factored in, and He said not yet. After about 4 years, I began to go to editorial committee. Naturally, I thought, "This is it!"

I was wrong. A couple years later, I went to pub board. "Okay, this time it's gonna happen!" Wrong.

Then things like agents retiring, editors retiring and their hard drives wiped clean of my novel—all these things made me hear what God was saying. "Trust me, and wait."

I asked if there was another option, but He said there wasn't. So I chose to trust Him and wait.

In September 2012, I signed a contract, and I knew the time and place were right. Yes, it's been a long journey, but I've learned so much and made so many wonderful friends, it's been worth it. Besides, this is the journey God had for me. It's perfect for me.

5. If you wanted prospective readers to know one or two things above all others about you and your writing, what would it/they be?

Expect to chuckle and to find some seeds of God's truth planted in the pages—and maybe a little slobber from one of my two English mastiffs.

6. Did you choose your genre or did it choose you? By that I mean did you write your story because you couldn't find it on the shelves or did you write your story because something inspired you to write this specific tale?

Good question! I wrote this story because of two overheard conversations. Yeah, I eavesdrop. A couple of women were complaining about their husbands. It wasn't the "men are form Mars" type of complaining. These women were stirring bitter waters. The other conversation involved one not sure her husband was God's choice for her. That became the springboard for Chapel Springs Revival.

I love women's fiction. I love stories about women's friendships. So my two protagonists have marriages in need of reviving. But being who I am, the story came out with these two getting into all kinds of trouble.

7. As a reader, what kind of literature do you prefer to read? I know you're a member of Brandilyn Collins' BHCC (for non-members: Big Honkin' Chicken's Club ) so I suspect thrillers and suspense and murder mysteries are not among your chosen genres.

Boy, you've got that right! My favorite genre is what I write – women's fiction. But I like historical, and some romance if there is more to the story than just the romance. And I adore romantic comedy.

8. Also as a reader, do you prefer those authors who stick to "the rules" or who experiment and take liberties?

I firmly believe in learning the rules. But once you do, then know when and how to break them to make the prose sing. The end result isn't so much about HOW it's written but whether the story is a symphony.

9. Why Christian Fiction and how do you like faith issues presented in stories?

I'm a Christian so my worldview is reflected in my characters. However, I write with a light hand. It goes back to my years as a Creative Arts director. I believe people let down their guard when they think they're being entertained. Then, when they least expect it, our words can reach out, touch hearts, and change lives. 

10. Although most authors choose to answer this question broadly in hopes of snaring a wide variety of readers, who is your target audience?

Women 35-70, married with kids, some with grandchildren, and who enjoy their women friends. And they have to like to laugh.

Lord, you know Ane's heart, the desires therein. Help her in all she does to honor you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.