J. Annas Walker

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Born and raised among the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, J. Annas Walker was brought up in a culture rich with oral history and storytelling. Wrought out of this tradition, writing became a hobby for her.

After acquiring a Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering Technology from UNC-Charlotte, she continued writing and retelling stories learned in childhood. Many if these were expanded to entertain her children. This led her to write short stories to entertain her sisters, Jennifier and Kate.

One short story caught her sisters’ attention. They wanted more than the short story provided. J. Annas Walker expanded it into what became her first novel, The Lost Alchemist.

Q: If you have a background in engineering, how did you end up writing?

A: I had always written short stories. With the construction industry in distress, I found work very difficult to locate. This gave me an overabundance of time and no outlet for the creativity. My sisters encouraged me to expand a story they really liked. It became my first novel.

 

Q: How do you come up with your story ideas?

A: I wouldn’t say I come up with anything. It is more like watching a movie in my head. I’m just taking notes. The notes become the story.

 

Q: What is your favorite time of day to write?

A: Very early morning is best. I try to write every day when I have a project. I find it flows better if I get the writing in before the hectic day intrudes. Once things get busy, I like to edit and revise when I have time to sit down again.

 

Q: Are your characters inspired by people you know?

A: Yes and no. There are elements of a number of people that are blended together to make the characters. No one character is based on just one person. Some are completely fictional and based on no one in particular. I just thought they might be an interesting person to get to know.

 

Q: Who is your favorite author?

A: I’m a very eclectic reader. Choosing just one would be unfair. It isn’t unusual for me to be reading Stephen King, Laurell K. Hamilton, and Kim Harrison in the same week as Plato, Chaucer, and a technical manual. I have too many favorites to name. A good story with something furry, fanged, spirited, or undead will earn the author a place on my favorites list.

 

Q: Between the knight in shining armor and a leather-clad elf, which would you choose?

A: A fair few knights took vows of chastity. What good would that do for me? I’ll take the hot elf in leather!

 

Q: What are your other hobbies?

A: I love to read. There isn’t a genre or topic I won’t read. Besides reading, I love to knit, crochet, sketch, and cross-stitch. When I can, I love to go day hiking.

 

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