Ask the Author: Anna Finch
Answered Questions (6)
Anna Finch
Hi! I'm currently working on the sequel for Voiceless, it's been my NANO project since 2021, and it's still in the drafting stages as I ended up re-writing it as I got a better idea for the plot that was much more interesting. At this stage this sequel is a mystery/urban fantasy novel. I'm hoping to finish the draft this year, with publication the following year but it depends on what my workload is like this year. Regarding your second question, growing up I was obsessed with mermaids and magic, especially Disney's The Little Mermaid, so it wasn't a big surprise for my parents when they found out my first novel had mermaids or magic. My parents were happy for me as I was writing what I loved and that I was putting my work out there. Some adults in my life did imply that mermaids were childish but most adults I talked with were just as excited and interested in the idea as I was. Thank you for your questions. I wish you the best of luck for the giveaway!
Anna Finch
I currently plan on getting through my massive TBR pile. I'm currently about halfway through 'These Violent Delights' by Chloe Gong, which I am absolutely loving. I also planning on finishing 'The Deathless Girls' by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and 'Save the Cat Writes a Novel' by Jessica Brody which I started reading earlier this year but haven't finished.
Anna Finch
Ooh, that's a bit tricky. It really depends on the situation. For example, if I'm in the middle of a story or novel and I know what needs to happen in the scene but I'm completely stuck and don't know how to move forward, I'll do one of two things. I'll either skip the scene or chapter and go to one that I can actually focus on writing or I'll write the scene in a completely different POV just so I can get the first draft done. I did this when writing the first draft of 'Voiceless' actually. I didn't know how to write a couple of scenes in Moriah's POV because I was completely stuck so I switched to Abdiel's (her father) and Micheal's POVs which were in 3rd person.
On the other hand, when I know I need to start writing a particular story or novel but no matter what I do I can't focus on it or write anything down, I generally do something else. Sometimes I will literally write anything a poem, a short story or flash fiction. Basically anything to get me writing again. Otherwise, I'll do short courses about writing or publishing to get me interested in writing again.
On the other hand, when I know I need to start writing a particular story or novel but no matter what I do I can't focus on it or write anything down, I generally do something else. Sometimes I will literally write anything a poem, a short story or flash fiction. Basically anything to get me writing again. Otherwise, I'll do short courses about writing or publishing to get me interested in writing again.
Anna Finch
Well, I’m a new author myself so I have plenty to learn but one of the best pieces of advice I’ve heard was to set aside time specifically for writing, it didn’t have to be every day, but if you set aside specific time for writing it makes it easier to get into a routine of writing consistently.
If I had to pick another piece of writing advice, it would be to focus on writing your story. Your first draft is for you to get all your ideas down whether those ideas work well together or there are gaps or plot holes in the story doesn’t matter at that stage. You can always go back and fill in those gaps and fix those plot holes later, that is what developmental editing is for. If you don’t write anything, you can’t fix it.
If I had to pick another piece of writing advice, it would be to focus on writing your story. Your first draft is for you to get all your ideas down whether those ideas work well together or there are gaps or plot holes in the story doesn’t matter at that stage. You can always go back and fill in those gaps and fix those plot holes later, that is what developmental editing is for. If you don’t write anything, you can’t fix it.
Anna Finch
I'm currently working on my second novel which is a companion novel/sequel to 'Voiceless: A Mermaid's Tale'. This second novel, which I'm currently calling 'Unspoken' is intended to be part of a currently untitled series of standalone companion novels.
I'm still currently working on the first draft of this novel, however, I'm currently intending for it to be in first person with two POV characters that were introduced towards the end of 'Voiceless'.
Let me know in the comments below who you think the two POV characters are in 'Unspoken' and which fairytale do you think I will be loosely incorporating into the story.
Here are some hints: curses, secrets, betrayal and redemption.
I'm still currently working on the first draft of this novel, however, I'm currently intending for it to be in first person with two POV characters that were introduced towards the end of 'Voiceless'.
Let me know in the comments below who you think the two POV characters are in 'Unspoken' and which fairytale do you think I will be loosely incorporating into the story.
Here are some hints: curses, secrets, betrayal and redemption.
Anna Finch
The initial idea for 'Voiceless: A Mermaid’s Tale’ came to me as I watched writing videos by my favourite authors on YouTube and listened to Poor Unfortunate Souls on repeat.
I always loved The Little Mermaid growing up. She was different, an outsider who sacrificed everything for love. She struggled with her identity and finding her place in a world that eventually silenced her. But there were things in both the original fairytale and the Disney version that made me uncomfortable as I grew older.
As I wrote Voiceless, I thought about the choices the little mermaid made in the original tale and knew that I wanted her to make different choices, to grow as a person rather than a damsel in distress. There were moments in both versions where the little mermaid stood up for herself and made choices of her own. I wanted my little mermaid to be more than a mermaid who fell in love with a human at first sight.
I always loved The Little Mermaid growing up. She was different, an outsider who sacrificed everything for love. She struggled with her identity and finding her place in a world that eventually silenced her. But there were things in both the original fairytale and the Disney version that made me uncomfortable as I grew older.
As I wrote Voiceless, I thought about the choices the little mermaid made in the original tale and knew that I wanted her to make different choices, to grow as a person rather than a damsel in distress. There were moments in both versions where the little mermaid stood up for herself and made choices of her own. I wanted my little mermaid to be more than a mermaid who fell in love with a human at first sight.
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