Today, I bring you an interview with multi-genre author Barbara Avon. I have great respect for authors who write more than one genre. I would love to try my hand at writing a spine chilling thriller, or tear jerking drama, but haven't been brave enough to dip my toes in that pond just yet. Who knows, maybe one day.
Barbara writes thriller/romance, time travel, horror, and psychological horror. I was recently lucky enough to win a paperback copy of her psychological thriller titled 'Sacrilege', and very much look forward to it arriving in the mail.
It seems, I am not the only author who comes up with the title and creates a book cover, before the story itself is written. Lets find out a bit more about this multi-talented, and very busy author.
Tell me a bit about yourself
I’m a multi-genre author living in Canada. I was born in Switzerland and grew up Italian in Southern Ontario. Niagara Falls was only a fifteen-minute drive. I currently live in the Nation’s Capital with my husband Danny, and I love to cook!
How long have you been writing?
I have been publishing for five years, but I started writing poetry in my teens. I was always making up stories in my head. Sometimes, my vivid imagination was a scary thing. Now, I cherish it.
Where do you find your inspiration?
From a word. I always choose the title first. It inspires the rest of the story. I started with Romantic Suspense but have since branched out. There are so many stories to tell.
What appeals to you about writing different genres?
Giving a different voice to the characters and situations that can otherwise be construed as something else. For example: A time travel story can be fun, but it can also be dark and mysterious. Writing across several genres gives me a great sense of creative freedom, as well.
Do you have a favourite genre to write?
Although I love all my books, I’m drawn to darker stories. I enjoy writing horror, and psychological horror.
Can you describe your writing process?
As mentioned above, I start with a title. Then I create the book cover. Both of these things help inspire the rest of the story. I write chronologically, (as opposed to jumping around and then inserting chapters where they belong.) I even format as I write and edit as I write.
Do you have a favourite book?
That’s the question all writers dread because it feels like you’re cheating on the rest of your books! However, my book “Postscript” is one of my favourites. It’s about two fractured souls who eventually find solace in each other. It’s a Paranormal Romance and includes flashbacks to 1918. Putting myself in different eras is the greatest escape.
Who are your favourite authors and how have they influenced your work?
Jack Finney (famous for “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”) also wrote Time Travel. His book “Time and Again” is what inspired me to try writing time travel. I have since written four time-travel stories.
Your book titled ‘Static’ contains elements of romance, suspense, and time travel. Can you tell me more about it?
David and Cat fall in love using nothing but walkie-talkies. (They do eventually meet.) Like many of my books, it’s set in the 80s and there’s a sub-story with David’s abusive ex-wife. The end includes a chase scene, and the epilogue sums up the tale by focusing on the time-travel element. It was a fun story to write and takes place in the dead of Summer so there’s a lot of thunderstorms. (Something I personally love!)
What interests do you have outside of books?
I love cooking! It’s much like writing - which I consider an art. Baking is another story. It’s too scientific for me. I’m also a big movie buff and retro music lover.
Thank you again for inviting me to this interview!
If you would like to check out Barbara's work, click on the links below
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