Here’s an interview I gave Gina of the blog, “Stories by Gina” You can go to her blog page and click to enter to win a print copy of “Lizzie’s Little Mouse” and an Amazon.com gift card. She’s also doing a fun Mother’s Day scavenger hunt with a number of other Christian authors! Have fun, and Happy Mother’s Day to everyone!

Interview with Anne

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve written poems and stories since I was a child. But I first determined to become a published book author in my late 20s. It took me 35 years, but I finally achieved that goal. Never give up on your dreams!

How long does it take you to write a book?

It varies, but it’s getting quicker as I gain experience. I’d estimate I can have a first draft of a book done in 1-3 months, depending on the length of the book, and what else I have going on in my life. Then there are edits, revisions, etc. before a final draft is complete. I’ll often be working on my next book while working on edits from my editor on the previous one.

What is your real-life work schedule like?

I’m the managing editor of two weekly newspapers in SE Ohio, so I have a full-time day job. I also enjoy directing and acting in community theater productions, often musicals. My personal writing largely takes place evenings and weekends. When I’m working on a manuscript, I’m very disciplined, sitting down to write a targeted number of words each evening. This is usually between 1000 and 2000 words.

Have you ever experienced writer’s block, and how do you handle it?

Not really. Possibly because of my newspaper training, I can write about anything anytime. There’s no telling your editor at the paper, ‘sorry, I just couldn’t get into that story. I’ll try again tomorrow.’ You won’t need to because you’ll be looking for a new job tomorrow. Lol.

I do sometimes need a break from writing between projects to recharge. If time permits, I may rest my writing chops for between a week to a month. But when I’m in the middle of a project, if I’m not feeling it, I just keep going. If I don’t like what I wrote later, I can delete it. If I didn’t write anything, I’m nowhere. My advice? Write. And when you’re writing, don’t edit. Finish the scene or chapter, then go back and see if you like what you’ve done.

How many books have you written? Where can readers find out more? Do you have any projects coming up?

I combined three questions here. “Lizzie’s Little Mouse” is the third book I’ve written for The Heart of the Amish series from Barbour. The others, in case you missed them, are “Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise” and “Mary’s Calico Hope”. I wrote a novella called “Lucy’s Christmas Sunbeam” which was included in a collection called “A Lancaster Amish Christmas” that came out this past September. I’m currently working on my fourth Heart of the Amish book, “Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer”, which comes out next January! Readers can find me on Facebook at Anne Blackburne. My website is AnneBlackburne.com. Feel free to reach out to me through Facebook messenger if you’d like to receive my monthly newsletter!

BONUS QUESTION! What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

My children are all grown, so when I’m not working at the paper or on a book, my time is my own. I love spending it with friends and family, and I enjoy many different pursuits, including participating in community theater, reading all sorts of books, kayaking, swimming and yoga, singing in my church choir and enjoying coffee and donuts after church with friends, watching movies with my kids in the evening, and traveling. You’ve got to experience life to write about it.