Hi Ann and thank you for being out October New Voices of Today Author.

First off, can you tell us a little about yourself?

That, Deb, is a loaded question. Let me see… When I was a child…. No, you don't want me to go that far back? Okay, well let me see… I'm a market gardener and mother of five-three children ages 10, 12 & 14, a husband who never grew up, and a dog who never talks back. (Thank God for Lucy!) Oh yes, I forgot to mention that somewhere in my spare time, I'm a writer who found her inner child and is now totally content with life.

What helped you to make the decision to become a writer?

Does anyone ever DECIDE to become a writer? In my experience, it happens quite by accident. You see, 4 years ago I got tired of finding my daughters unfinished stories lying about my house, so in a brain storm I tried to show her how to plot her story from beginning to end. The easiest way was to teach by example. Three months later The Orange Moon was written, then re-written several times before it was published as Star Dust. So you see, in my attempt to help my daughter, I actually discovered myself.

How long did it take to get your first book published?

Three years from the time I tried to help Shannon to the time I signed the contract with BeWrite books. Then it took almost a year before its release this month.

Your debut novel, Star Dust is meeting with rave reviews. How did you come up with the premise of a sci-fi/romance?

I'm an avid science fiction fan, and when you throw in a love story I find the genre positively irresistible. A writer must write what they love, or what they are inspired to disclose. In my case, it was a wee bit of both.

Where do you find your inspiration for your plots/themes?

You do like loaded questions!

As I said earlier, I have a love affair with the cosmos. In the creation of the Shimuran Legacy, I was able to create my own people, places, planets, creatures & technology. There are no rules, except the laws of nature and what is considered plausible. It tests your beliefs to the limits and makes you think beyond yourself… This, Deb, is where I came into that inspiration I mentioned.

Have you always been a fan of science fiction?

Yes

Do you emulate your characters after real people? Or are they just people running around in your imagination?

When you write with passion, it's hard not to let some of your own personality slip into your characters. My son's name is David Alexander as is the hero of Star Dust, but that is only the name. Each of my characters came to life and ran off with my pen, so you see they are living, breathing, fictional beings who live within my computer.

According to your web site, you already have titles for 3 of your upcoming books, Star Born, Star Burst and Star Lost. I am assuming that they will be in the same genre as Star Dust; sci-fi/romance? Can you give us a little glimpse on what we can expect?

Star Born is my personal favorite. It's Major Karen O'Reilly's story, and she's a feisty heroine who with a personal mission to find balance in her life, not to mention fulfilling that 1000 year old prophecy… Star Burst is Captain Beth Williams's story. She is a gifted individual who must learn to adapt to an incredible gift… Have I teased you enough? Yes, they are all interconnected, but they also stand alone as individual stories that bring us towards a much bigger prize…

With your life so full and busy, what do you like to do to relax? Do you have any hobbies or other interests?

At this time of year I don't have time to think, let alone relax. With a farm that demands my attention 7 days a week from 6 am-6:30 pm, three kids, a husband and a household to run… God, I can't wait for November and the close of my retail vegetable stand. I'm suffering from writer's withdrawal, and writing is truly my favorite form of relaxation. It gives me the opportunity to escape planet Earth, leave all my responsibilities behind and play in the most wondrous playground ever created… So, let me ask you a question. Was this all created for us? Or, is there life out there? If so, what will they look like? How will we react?

Do you have any favorite author(s) that you like to read?

Most of them are in the same genre as me. Nancy Cane abducted my imagination in Circle of Light, the first futuristic I ever read and turned me into an addict. Christine Michels, Stobie Piel & Saranne Dawson are at the top of my list, along with Rowena Cherry, CJ Berry & Susan Grant.

Ann, if your fans wanted to get in touch with you, how can they reach you?

They are more than welcome to e-mail me at: annobannon@rogers.com Or, they can snail mail Ann O'Bannon at P O Box 29107, 3500 Fallowfield Rd, Nepean, Ontario Canada K2J 4A9

Thank you again for being our NVT for October. All of us at ARR wish you the best of luck in your writing career. I foresee great things in your writing future. Good luck!!