Through The Pages: Author Interview

Interview with Annie Twitchell: 
I don’t really know how I first met Annie Twitchell (may have been through a writing or knitting group) but the first time I remember bookmarking her into my memory was when one of my best friends told me, “I’m beta reading this awesome retelling of Rumpelstiltskin.” Intrigued, I messaged Annie and asked if I might beta read, too. Ever since I’ve never been able to turn down the chance to read something of hers. Today I’d love to welcome Annie to Keturah’s Korner. 
We'd met on Ravelry! In two of my knitting groups, and in that one writing group. I was so tickled to find you other places online!


Tell us about Through The Pages and why it’s so special to YOU!
Through the Pages was written, almost as a dare, for my mom's birthday. When I finished up the release of one of my books last August, I asked God what I should write next. He told me I should write a book for my mom. For her birthday this year. I had just under a year in which to brainstorm, create, write, edit, revise, edit, revise, and publish a novel — without anyone in my family, or in fact anyone, knowing what I was up to. I picked a group of girls who helped me beta read and kept my secret for me, and on August 5th, 2018, I gave my mom my first novel. (As a side note: my younger brother doesn't trust me anymore. If I can keep a whole novel a secret for so long, what else do I have up my sleeve?) 


Briefly, tell us about your other books.

• The Christmas Ladder: a short story based on events in my own family history. 
• Spinner of Secrets: the aforementioned Rumpelstiltskin retelling. It's much more along the lines of the original Brothers' Grimm, not a cute and fluffy Disney story. 
• Jump: The Things I Remind Myself: my first poetry collection. 
• The Ocean and I: sort of a journal, with photos and poems from my stay on the coast last summer. 
• No Dragons, Please!: a children's short story I wrote and illustrated for my youngest brother.
•  The Witch of Belle Isle: a Snow White inspired story set in the American Civil War. My first real foray into historical fantasy.

Have you written other novels? What made this one your first to finish/ publish. 
I have a number of them in process, but this was the first I've finished a first draft on. I had to do it quickly, because I had such a firm deadline. I wasn't sure I could, but my team of beta readers helped so much, and my editor was amazing. And I did it! I was able to order copies of the final paperback in time for my mom's birthday.


Do you have plans for any other novels?
Lots of plans. I'm currently working on a contemporary adult novel, and a duo of YA urban fantasy novels.


What makes you so excited about this book? 
Through the Pages speaks about life, love, and finding who you are. One of the things that I learned from this novel was that I want to live such a life that when I leave this world, I don't have regrets. I want to make my mark, and do wild and crazy things. I want to explore, and I want to be at home. I want to live in such a way that at the end of my life I can look back at this painting I've made and say, this is good.


Is there anything drawn from life that made Through The Pages real to you?
Many, many things. For one, I've done a bit of elder care, where I lived for a short time with my best friend's grandfather and took care of him. That experience definitely impacted Misty and Gamma Irene and how they interacted. Another thing is my mother's love of books, and my own adoration of old books. Not just old stories: old books. I have four old, worn copies of Jane Eyre, and I love each one for different reasons.


If only one of your characters could come alive and be your best friend, which one would you choose and why?
It's a toss-up between them, but if I really had to chose, I'd have to say Gamma Irene. She's spunky, bright, wise, and doesn't take any nonsense from anyone. I think I'd love to go and sit in her library and drink tea with her — under the condition that I don't spill any tea on the books — pet her cats, wander her garden, and listen to the stories she has to tell about her life.


Why do you write? And read?
I write because I have too many stories to tell, and I'm not very comfortable using my voice to tell them, so I use my fingers. And I write because sometimes that's the only thing to do. And because I love it. I've always loved to write. I read to learn, to lose myself, to be challenged, and to be comforted.


Something that has been on your heart that is NON-WRITING related?
We've had some interesting family events this summer, and some startling things, and while I can't share a lot, it's been really cool and awe-inspiring watching everything fall into place.


Introverted or extroverted? And what do you think about that sort of personality stuff?
I'm an introvert who likes people. I think that a lot of the personality tests and stuff can be helpful as a starting place, but then you need to just go exploring and spend time with whoever you're trying to identify, whether it's a character or yourself.


Why should people read Through The Pages?
Ideally, because the cover and description interest them. I would recommend it to people who are trying to figure out their place in this world, and to people who want a sweet, real story. There are some hard moments — I laughed, but I also cried — but that's part of what makes it so real.


What advice do you wish to give away?
It's okay to mess up. Just take a deep breath, shake yourself off, own up to your mistakes, and move on. We're only human. Don't let the fear of failing keep you from doing what you want to do.


Thank you so much for joining me today! Be blessed, Annie! And may your book be loved by all!
Thank you for having me, Keturah!

Book Trailer: YouTube 

Synopsis: 
Spring will always follow Winter. 

Misty doesn't know who she is. Nineteen years old, she's trapped inside who she has been, with no idea who she could be. 

When she goes to Mill's End to take care of her stubborn, book-loving grandmother, she finds herself torn between past and present. The answer to who she is lies hidden in her grandmother's library. Her path to find herself takes her through the fading pages of dusty books and the memories of a woman who has lived a full life. It is up to Misty to write the final chapter to the dearest story of them all. 




About the Author: Annie Louise Twitchell is a homeschool graduate who is obsessed with dragons and fairy tales. She enjoys reading, writing, poetry, and many forms of art. When she’s not writing, she can often be found reading out loud to her cat, rabbit, and houseplants, or wandering barefoot in the area around her Western Maine home. In addition to seven published works, she has several poetry awards and pieces in four anthologies.

Connect: 

• Annie Louise Twitchell Blog 
• Amazon  
• Books And Quills Magazine 
• Annie Louise Twitchell Facebook 
• Annie Louise Twitchell Twitter: @WriterAnnieLou  
• Instagram: @annietwitchell @elli_and_indie

I had the honor of beta reading this book months ago. And I loved it. You can find my review on Goodreads.

Wasn't this fun getting to know Annie a little? Or maybe you know her better than I do . . . it's so funny to think of all the connections I've made through Ravelry, an online knitting community. Have you been there and made friends? Have you read any of Annie's stories? And do you plan to find a copy of Annie's Through The Pages? Because you really should!