Interview with Anne Carter
September 23, 2007

What's the title of your book and what's it about?

POINT SURRENDER is a paranormal romantic mystery that takes place in a fictional California lighthouse. It's about a woman who takes over the renovation of her ailing brother's lighthouse, discovers the journal of the last, late, keeper, and goes on a quest to find out what really happened to him and his missing family. Along the way she meets the hero, who doesn't want any part of the sleuthing -- he's got history of his own to worry about. There's a benign ghost or two lurking around, too. And central to it all is the lighthouse, of course.

What do you think of Tarot cards?

They intrigue me, but I don't personally know how to use them. Someone once gave me an abbreviated set, something to do specifically with "love." I might consider using them to inspire creativity if I knew how...

Have you ever gone to a psychic and had your cards read? What happened?

I had my cards read when I was pregnant with my first child. The reader told me I would have a son and that my childbirth would be fairly easy and uncomplicated. He was right on both accounts. I didn't want to ask anything else. I think I felt intimidated by my lack of knowledge of the Tarot. A little scared, actually.

Have you ever seen anything you'd describe as supernatural?

Although I've written some paranormal elements into POINT SURRENDER, I've never actually witnessed anything I'd consider supernatural. That's not to say I don't believe it exists. I do think some folks are more sensitive to the paranormal than others.

What is it about you that found its way into your novel--where you live? what you do for a living? a special talent you had or wish you had?

In this case, the lighthouse! I've always been a real lighthouse nut, and I guess it was only a matter of time before I started writing about them. My WIP also involves a lighthouse, this one miles off-shore. Lighthouses are considered romantic by some. They fairly scream "mysterious." For me, the biggest treat was staying in a lighthouse while writing the last few chapters of PS. Talk about inspiration! My brother takes care of a small lighthouse in Port Townsend, WA, and he gave me the keys while I was there visiting. The muse was waiting inside.

What is your genre, and what do you personally gain by writing in this genre?

I actually write in several genres. Most often, contemporary romance or romantic suspense. POINT SURRENDER is my first adult mystery. I say "adult" because I've also written a middle grade mystery. LOCKER SHOCK debuts next month from Quake!

What is one of your newest writing goals?

Just to finish all the WIPs on my desk right now! I had no inkling of the time it takes to market/promote your books once they are published. I might never have time to write again, LOL!

What sorts of jobs have you held to pay the bills, and how have they played a role in your writing?

Oh, man. I've been a secretary, a real estate agent, an escrow officer, a graphic artist, a cover artist and art director; a photographer and a photo editor; I've even been a celebrant and married people! I think everything a person does influences their writing in one way or another. I tend to be somewhat of a sponge, soaking up experiences and places and scenes, etc. Everything gets stored away for future use in my writing.

What is your website? Where else can people find out more about you?

All the stuff about me and my various identities can be found at www.BeaconStreetBooks.com which is my website. When I first decided I needed a website, about 8 years ago, I chose "Beacon Street" as the name because of the lighthouse thing. I also figured that I might end up with more than one author/pen name, and having a neutral site where they could all "reside" would be a smart move. The downside is, people see my URL and think I'm a publisher. On my website are links to my monthly newsletters as well.

I can also be visited at http://myspace.com/starcrsdone and if you Google me, you'll turn up all sorts of fun stuff.