CP Spotlight: Ann King

Ann King has a style that is definitively her own. This unique style reflects in her home, her children, her marriage - and most brilliantly in her writing. The following is a brief interview I had the pleasure of doing with her on Friday, November 10, 2006.
The day was overcast, and the wind was determined to bring all the fall leaves to the ground. We could have spent the afternoon planning a wonderful meal, we could have been working. Instead, we chose to pick each other's brains. On our forth cup of coffee too many, we sat down to do the interview.

Anna Swan: What inspires you to write? I mean, really - aside from the obvious that it helps pay the bills.

Ann King: Money is always a good incentive, but I was writing before the money started coming in. There's just something about words on paper that I find very appealing. I try to give people information they can use and help with their daily lives.
I actually began with fiction and never gave much serious thought to non-fiction until about a year ago. Now I'm hooked.
But I do have a yearning to publish at least one fiction book before I'm dead.
I also want to be published in magazines at some point as well.
Writing for the web is great, it's instantaneous and who doesn't love instant gratification, but I really more want out of my writing life and career.

Anna Swan: Where does the inspiration come from?

Ann King: A topic that I'm passionate about. I'm not a journalist because I love doing my own work on subjects that matter to me. I don't think I'd like to be handed assignments and told what I'm supposed to write about.

Anna Swan: So how did you get into writing?

Ann King: I got into writing in those dark teenage years. It was mostly dark poetry then, as a way to vent what I felt inside. I later discovered it was only raging hormones. But that gave me a love for putting words on paper. I still prefer to take pen in hand with a fresh clean piece of paper, but with my wrists it's just not possible any more. I had beautiful penmanship but it's dwindled too.
I was actually a horrible student and English was my worst subject so it's odd that I chose a career that requires some knowledge of the subject anyway.

Anna Swan: Tell us one thing about yourself that people might not know.

Ann King: (Insert sly smile, sweep of the hair.) If I told you then people would know.

Anna Swan: What has been your greatest success in life?

Ann King: Being a great wife and mother.

Anna Swan: What goals are you trying to achieve with your writing?

Ann King: United Built Homes has this fabulous two-story, four bedroom home that I want built at our pond. It's the perfect country home and the picture of it sits next to my computer.

Anna Swan: If you where trapped on an island by yourself what 3 things could you not live without?

Ann King: Chances are if I were on an island by myself, it would not be by accident. The only three things I'd need would be the three things I'd need to live anywhere-food, water and air. I'm sorry it's not some great CD, a great book or a laptop computer, but I really do have a basic view of life and survival. I would have a great time just watching animals or the trees sway in the breeze - -there will be trees and animals right? (There's the sly smile again.)

Anna Swan: Name 10 songs that you would include on your personal life soundtrack.

Ann King:
1. I'll be Your Shelter-Taylor Dayne
2. Brilliant Disguise-Bruce Springsteen
3. Simple Man-Lynard Skynard or Shinedown
4. The Flame-Cheap Trick
5. Rain on the Scarecrow-John Cougar Mellancamp
6. Life's Little Ups and Downs-Charlie Rich
7. Don't Stop Dancing-Creed
8. Two Steps Behind-Def Leppard
9. My Woman, My Woman, My Wife-Marty Robbins
10. Something to Believe In-Bon Jovi

Anna Swan: What actor would you want to play you in your life story and why?

Ann King: Julia Roberts because she's that damn good.

Anna Swan: What made you start writing for Associated Content?

Ann King: I found AC by accident and thought, "What the hell", submitted a piece and they bought it. Unfortunately it was several months later before I submitted anything else. At the time it didn't sink in that I had gotten paid for writing.

Anna Swan: What color best describes your personality and why?

Ann King: I'm like a mood ring and it depends on what day you catch me on.
Some days I'm black, not as negative, just the absence of light.
Some days I'm red and passionate.
Some days I'm blue and calm.
Some days I'm yellow and cheery.
Some days I'm purple and inspiring.
Some days I'm hot pink-you figure that one out.

Anna Swan: Who are your favorite authors and has any of them inspired you to write?

Ann King: Edgar Allen Poe, James Patterson, Stephen King, Nora Roberts and JK Rowlings.
Rowlings and King have been big inspirations for me.

Anna Swan: What are your favorite books?

Ann King:
Charlottes Web is my all time favorite.
The Harry Potter series.
The Key Trilogy.