FAQ – Annette Shelley

1. When did you start writing?

All my life! Yearbooks, newspapers, magazines, print advertising, and radio ( I hosted a show called Beyond Reality on KLIF in Dallas years ago)

In 1994, I opened my own publishing company, Out of This World Publishing and put out a small self-help book, then in 2001 I released my first full length non-fiction book. 

It took ten more years to get the nerve to do fiction.  I took the plunge in 2007.  I sold everything I could and sat at my computer and started writing.  I wish I’d started sooner.  Fiction writing is the most difficult and simultaneously rewarding work I’ve ever done and I love it!

2. How did you pick the horror/ sci-fi/ mystery genre?

It picked me!  I’ve always been fascinated by the possibility of all things unknown. In my professional career, I’ve worked in a real-life paranormal field. 

3. Where do you get your ideas?

In real life (whatever that is…) I am a past life regression therapist. I write books on energy healing and the energetic properties of gems and minerals.  I’ve lectured all over the world at renowned paranormal research centers such as Rhine Institute and Edgar Cayce Foundation.  I also spoke at the Roswell International UFO Festival.   All of these experiences are obvious fodder for my novels. I’ve had the insiders look into things you can’t possibly imagine! The truth is stranger than fiction, friends, believe me!   

I’ve always been fascinated with the macabre.  I am a horror movie nut who loved Stephen King ever since I can remember.  Lately, I’m into the Sci-Fi Channel and recently completed a new sci-fi romance novel which will be first in a trilogy.

My books lean toward the dark yet comedic, and I believe that came from one of my most terrorizing experiences ever, when I attended the New York Comedy Institute.  To graduate, I had to do a stand up act on the same stage where Bill Cosby got his start.  Give me blood and guts any day, but let me tell you, doing stand-up in New York is absolutely the most spine-tingling thing I’ve ever done!!!  I also enjoy jumping from airplanes and scaring myself into continual attitude adjustments!

Sergeant Mario Martinez, star of Deep Currency and a forthcoming series, came to me while on a cruise in Mexico.  Famliar, about sexy cat shifter Angel, is about my trip to the Santa Elena Cloud Forest in Costa Rica.  Unfortunately, nobody as hot as Mario or Angel crossed my path during the real trips…

4. What authors inspired you over the years?

Dean Koontz – In my personal opinion, there is no writer alive today who is as concerned with developing his craft as Koontz.  I am a die hard fan!  I admire his work ethic despite his throngs of fans, and incredible fame.  I “met” Dean a couple years ago at Book Expo America in New York.  Writer Margaret Atwood developed a weird sci-fi device to enable authors to sign books from their own living rooms, and speak to fans via a live web cam.  It was so “Koontz”  when this spooky claw scratched his etheric signature into my copy of The Good Guy.  He is, indeed, a good guy!

Stephen King – since childhood I’ve loved Stephen King.  His memoir, On Writing, gave me tons of internal motivation through the years.  I love the part where he talks about pinning rejection letters to the walls of his bedroom and the story of how Carrie sold.  They called and said 400, he thought they meant dollars, and he was grateful to have enough to pay the bills, but when they said, “No, 400K!” he nearly fell over.  He wrote nine books before any sold and is a lifelong inspiration to hang in there.  Plus his stuff is awesomely twisted and scary as all get out!

JD Robb – Nora Roberts’ dark alter ego told me it is okay to have a dark side and also write fluffy romance too!  (I also write as Leah Leonard). I love her futuristic cop, Eve Dallas!

JK Rowling – Harry Potter series is a literary masterpiece!  Her story of rags to riches is always inspiring!

Anne Rice – one of my personal fav series of all time is Rice’s vampire series and the Interview with the Vampire.  The film did not do this justice, but in my mind it was one of the greatest books of all time.

Carolyn Keene – I grew up on Nancy Drew mysteries and still love them!

C.S. Lewis – Still loving Chronicles of Narnia

Robert Heinlein – a huge influence!

RL Stine – I love his books!

Sandra Brown – we shared the same Romance Writers of America chapter and she’s gone on to such great things! I love her books!

Lisa Jackson – one of the funniest people I’ve ever met.  Her books are scary!!!

Tony Hillerman – the late great continues to be a great source of inspiration to me, a native of Albuquerque, NM.  He takes me home with his books!

Dan Brown – great writer!  Loved Angels and Demons

Sherilyn Kenyon & Kinley MacGregor - love it love it love it!  Brilliant attention to mythology!

JR Ward – incredible world building in her Dark Lover series!

Links to some other writing friends of mine:

Catherine Spangler – she writes awesome books about Atlantis and has been true blue friend since day one!

Kym Roberts – a real life former detective who writes crime novels as only she could

Also a special thank you to my mom Gail who was the first person to tell me I should seriously consider doing this for a living.  If not for her, this dream would not be a reality.  Also my dad Mickey and brother Mark have been amazing support, along with so many friends I can't list them all here!   No writer can hang in there without someone cheering them on and I am grateful for my friends and supporters!