Today, we’re visiting with Anne Greene, a Texas writer who loves to write about wounded heroes and gutsy heroines. A Scottish historical, Masquerade Marriage, won the New England Readers Choice, the Laurel Wreath Award, and the Heart of Excellence Award.  She tries to transport the reader to a new world.  Here’s how she does it.

 Jim:   What was the first thing you wrote?

 Anne:  I began writing with a book titled Trail of Tears. I thought the story needed to be told. So I researched the area. Then I heard of a new writers’ group meeting in Chicago. In order to attend the group, a writer had to have written at least three chapters of a book. The conference met in less than two weeks, so I sat down and wrote three chapters titled the Trail of Tears. The last day of the conference I learned each attendee was to visit with an editor. Why did I need to see an editor? I had no clue. I went in to see the editor and discovered he loved my three chapters. He asked if I could have the book finished in nine months. I said, of course. I did. He did. And my first book was published.  

 Jim:  You write historical and suspense.  How do you decide which to write next? Or what dictates the next genre?

 Anne:  Mostly I write whatever is the most interesting to me at the time. However, if an editor mentions a need for a certain type of book or a certain genre seems to be selling well, I do climb aboard. Sometimes I write in series, so I at least map out a couple of paragraphs for the other books in the series. Marriage By Arrangement is the second book in the Scottish Marriage Trilogy, so fairly soon I will start writing the third book of the series, Marriage To A Rogue.

 Jim: You said your books were set in some places you have lived.  Do many of those places demand that you set a novel there?

 Anne:  I wish I had the time to write a book for each place I’ve visited. Unfortunately too many American editors are fearful of publishing books set in foreign locals. So, I do try to pick places that readers seem to find more fascinating. My agent is shopping a wonderful suspense called Murder in Istanbul set in one of the most interesting spots I’ve ever spent time in. I lived in Turkey almost six months, and the country brims with history from Biblical times, through the Ottoman Empire to Alexander the Great, to the Crusades. I usually record the ambiance of an area, find any books I can about the people and their history, and sketch out characters while I am still visiting the country. When I return home, I write the story. 

 Jim: Tell us about your latest, Marriage by Arrangement released Dec. 2013.

 Anne:  I love Marriage By Arrangement.

A marriage covenant. A great secret. An impossible choice. Why does a handsome Duke stoop to marry a mere Earl’s daughter? Are the whispered stories about him true? With his shadowy past, what secret does he hide? Each change of clothes transforms him into a different man. Must the Lady arrange the Duke’s death to protect her unborn child?

Jim: Wow! It sounds intriguing. Thanks for visiting with us, Anne.  And for those who are intrigued, Anne has shared an excerpt from Marriage by Arrangement.You’ll find it immediately after the comment line below.  And leave her a comment, if you have time.Anne blogs at:  http://www.anneswritingupdates.blogspot.com.
Her website is:  http://www.AnneGreeneAuthor.com
You can tweet Anne at:   @TheAnneGreene.
 Her books are on Amazon and at http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com.