Interview with Ann Chandler

www.annchandler.com

Let’s get some of the typical interview questions out of the way first. When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?

I think I was just born that way! I never really found the time to do it seriously, other things just got in the way, until I couldn’t ignore it any longer. I began writing creative non-fiction for magazines, which I still do on a regular basis, then I finally let my imagination go and started writing fiction. After that I completed my MFA in Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia.

Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publishing?

I wrote three manuscripts before writing Siena Summer at the request of Michael Katz, publisher at Tradewind Books. It was a good introduction to the publishing experience for me. One of those three manuscripts is being published by Dundurn in the fall of 2010.

Tell us a little bit about either your latest or upcoming release. If you could only tell your readers one thing about the story that had to convince us to buy the book, what would it be?

My upcoming release, set in the Kootenay region of B.C. before and during the First World War, is titled Kootenay Silver. I love the story, it still gives me goosebumps when I read it. The characters spring to life and you want to laugh and cry with them. Readers will love Addy, the main protagonist. Read the novel, it will leave you wanting more.

What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?

I love history, it fascinates me. But if I had to credit one person for inspiring my stories, it would be my mom. She raised five children on a farm with very little funds, but her capacity for imagination made us feel wealthy. All we had to do was pretend! Tangled knots and burrs combed painfully out of my long blonde hair became fairies that we kept in a jar on the shelf. And with no blankets in a freezing cold house, old donated coats for our beds became a source of play. I remember an old fur coat that we received – that was the one you always wanted!

Let’s hear about your family, who I’m sure are thrilled to have a published author among them!

I have four grown daughters – one is a high school librarian – and four wonderful grandkids who love telling their friends about my books. I know my parents – who loved books and passed it on to me – would be very proud if they could see me now.

Now for some fun facts. What’s your greatest comfort food?

Tea and toast, hands down.

What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning?

First, panic about paying the mortgage! Stretch, have tea and toast while reading two newspapers, then work out.

If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what’s the one thing that would surprise me the most?

My toolbox in the garage.

Everyone asks the question about “if you could be a tree, which tree would you be?” so I want to know: If you could be a color, which color would it be, and why?

Yellow, it’s the colour of sunshine – my favourite thing.

Who is your favorite cartoon character?

The Wizard of Id.

Which cartoon character is most like you?

I wouldn’t make a good cartoon character, I take myself too seriously!

If you could beam yourself to anywhere in the world (“Beam me up, Scotty!”), during any time in history, where and when would it be—and why?

The fifties. Cars had style, guys could fix them, sock hops were common, and the music rocked!

So what’s your favorite type of music to listen to? Favorite musical artists? Do you listen to music while you’re writing?

Sometimes I listen to classical music while I’m writing. I love all music except jazz and rap. My favourite is rockabilly. Favourite artists – Mike Ness (Social Distortion), Serena Ryder, Legendary Shack Shakers, and Bach. (I’m kind of an unusual Grandma.)

Do you have any favorite T.V. shows? Movies you watch over and over again? What was the last movie you saw at the theater?

I seldom watch TV, except for the news and the occasional documentary. I like movies, but I seldom watch them more than once – what for? But I must admit I have watched French Kiss twice – I love Kevin Kline’s acting. The last movie I saw was A Christmas Carol – I took my grandkids.

You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?

Don’t ever be afraid of change. It makes you a better person.

One last question. What stories can we look forward to from you in the future?

I’m working on one called Apple Trees and Honeybees. Hint: it’s about coats for blankets. And another gleaned from interviews with my 100 year old best friend who was a young girl in Russia during the Revolution and remembers it well.

Again, thanks so much for joining us at TeensReadToo.com!