Was there a particular person or event that inspired your first book?
My first novel, All Waters Gathering, was a story that told itself, straight from the pages of my world. The inspiration, experiences, and research are all documented in a BookThought, available online at Exobia.
Any book signings, chats, events planned? When and where?
Absolutely, for the release of my murder thriller, Barbecue, I’m taking part in the Aspen Mountain Press Authors Blog Tour, of course! August 2011, I’m hitting the web and promoting myself and others during this event. I’m also hosting a contest where the prizes are autographed custom iPhone covers from Zazzle.com.
How much of your books stem from reality?
My thrillers and even horror novels have a great deal of research in them. Being a criminal justice major in college and graduating law school has helped tremendously. It means I have a familiar realm to play around with different scenarios. For horror, usually what I do when I have an idea is research how realistic that idea could be. For example, in one of my short horror stories, it was important to know how human skin dries after death and whether or not it could be kept subtle for the creation my character wanted to do with it.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
As much as I had loved to write as a child, it wasn’t until I was much older that I considered myself a serious writer. I was a teenager when revisited my elementary school and one my teachers remembered my writing. I’d told her I wouldn’t become a writer, because I couldn’t type and handwritten material was already becoming taboo. I saw the look on her face and she mentioned that would be such a shame. I always remembered how disappointed she seemed, so after I learned how to type, that’s when I professed—I was a writer!
Do you see writing as a career?
I see writing as a lot of things, a blessing and a curse included, but strangely not a career. It’s something I have to do, otherwise, I don’t function. It’s quite a biological function! Seriously, I have tried to stop. However, after a few days, I lay in bed and an idea for a new story comes into my head. I ignore it, and after an hour of tussling with my brain, it wins. I get up with a few mental pages of text for the first chapter and the synopsis.
What’s the most embarrassing CD you own?
CD? What’s that? Seriously, I still have my cassettes bought in the 80s and enjoy a listen every now and then. The most embarrassing, I would have to say would be a CD my husband’s cousin gave me– Human Touch by Bruce Springsteen. I like the Boss but that wasn’t one of my favorite songs.
What are you listening to while you work?
It depends on the day and mood I’m in. It can range from nostalgic 80s rock and heavy metal to classical to quirky bachelor pad music (think Las Vegas show music and Playboy Bunny waitresses).
Do you collect anything?
What DON’T I collect? 🙂 I have coins, stamps, pottery, porcelain flatware, photos, books, vinyl albums, art items, game consoles and computers. The computers weren’t by choice but I’d hate to throw them away now, because they’re classics.
Favorite toy as a kid?
Oh, so many! I had Weeble Wobbles with haunted playhouse, Sit n’ Spin, Whatchamacallits (those handheld roller coaster dingies), Easy Bake Oven… I have to go with the Sit n’ Spin.
Favorite toy as a grown-up? (Be Honest.)
Anything “gadgety”! I’m a gadget-freak, so I’d play with anything USB and making fart sounds or techno, like lazer pens, magnetic doohickeys, or 3D.
What part of your body are you most happy with?
My brain! Sometimes…
Aspen Mountain Press Interview Questions
July 8, 2011
A.EH. Veenman, author
Disclaimer: The above interview questions were answered by the author independently of Aspen Mountain Press, the Publisher. Publisher has no control over the comments, answers, or opinions made by the author and does not explicitly endorse any of the answers provided above.
A.E.H. Veenman 