Hey y’all! I’m so excited to start a new monthly segment on LLBB called Ask An Author! ⁣

Our first author is Annie Emerson (@emotionallyunhingedromantic on IG). This inaugural author is getting ready to drop her debut book, 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟭𝟮𝘁𝗵. Let’s see what Annie is up to.

•.What music/songs would you include in the soundtrack to your life and why?

Black by Pearl Jam – I wanted to write just like Eddie Vedder. I was 15 and that song changed my life, so I mimicked his style until I found my own.

Literally too many to list (Bahaha!) Maybe change to ‘what song.’

•What five things would you find it hard to live without.

My puppies

Music

Pen and paper

My Laptap

Chocolate!

•What words of advice would you give to your younger self?

Every last thing that happens to you, good or bad, will lead you to a place you could never foresee but will place you right where you meant to be. Be patient, have faith!

•Tell us 5 things that most people don’t know about you.

I’ve had agoraphobia, PSTD, depression and anxiety for 27 years.

I’ve never been told I love you, outside of my family.

I have two doggies, sisters, their names are Tilly and Daisy.

I live in the middle of nowhere rural Australia, where the dust is red and the land is dry.

I’m a qualified band manager, make-up artist and personal carer. I used to work in a funeral home and it was the best job EVER!

•What are the first 5 things you’d have on your bucket list?

Fall in love.

Have a child.

Meet Eddie Vedder and write a song together.

Travel the world.

Write a book that people connect with and can’t live without.

•Quote you live by?

“It takes years and one minute past desperation…” – Stella, Drive – by Kate Stewart.

This means never giving up, you never know when things will change for the better. Just hold on…

•How do you deal with emotional impact of a book (on yourself) as you are writing the story?

I cry! I think having a good cry can really help. Feel your feelings, don’t deny them.

•What do you hope your readers take away from this book?

No matter what has happened to you, no matter how damaged or broken you feel you are, you’re NOT irredeemable. You’re worth the happy ending, so chase it, it’s yours!

•What is the significance of the title?

There was only thirteen hours between two people destined for one another. Just thirteen hours. It’s kind of amazing how much time and space can separate you from your destiny but will always bring you back to exactly where you belong, and who you belong with.

•Do you write listening to music? If so, what music inspired or accompanied this current book?

Music is what fuels me, inspires me. So yes, music is a huge inspiration, but there are times where I need complete silence. I have a playlist of songs that inspired the book!

•Can you give us a little description on your main characters?

Boo Radley Cooper: Radley has been through so much in her seventeen years. She’s suffered at the hands of many, and has never really known true friendship, a life with peace. She has faith, but she is still full of doubt. She is insecure, but she has courage. She’s the perfect contradiction who just wants to find her happy.

Meekai Lannister: Gorgeous, curious, gentle, patient. He has his own scars, his own cross to bear. He’s lost so much but has a never give up attitude. He’s funny, intense, and loves HARD! He fights, wouldn’t know how to do anything but fight for the ones he loves.

•If you could ask one successful author three questions about their writing, writing process, or books, what would they be?

I wouldn’t. I have in the past, and I never would again. We’re all so different in our thought processes and habits, that even though interesting to know how they themselves work, doesn’t mean that will work for us. You eventually fall into your own way, your own process over time. The more you write, the more you read, the better a writer you become. It takes time.

•First 10 songs that show up in your shuffle?

Lost – Dermot Kennedy

Hollow – Jome

Rome – Dermot Kennedy

My Thoughts On You – Band CAMINO

Before the Worst – The Script

Somebody to Die For – Hurts

Pieces – Red

What If – Safetysuit

For The First Time – The Script

Tribulation – Matt Maeson

•Your debut book is coming out soon. What little tidbit, additional little blurb can you share?

This book is based on fate. So, if you don’t like the unbelievable, you’ll find this a stretch. This book was written with the attention to heal our female lead. Fate keeps knocking on the door, showing her where she needs to be. It’s one situation after the other telling her to wake up, let go, fall… fall into him, I made him for you.

•What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing? What part of the book was the most fun to write?

The ending. Ending something so big feels like you’ll only do it a disservice if not done right. In the end I found the perfect ending, a satisfying ending. I hope others smile when they read that very last line, a lot of thought went into it.

•Your debut, Thirteen Hours to You is coming out April 12th. What part/section of the book are you most proud of?

Chapter 18. That satisfied me in so many ways, writing Meekai the way we see him in this chapter was everything this book absolutely needed. I can’t give it away, but it’s the one I’m most proud of.

BONUS QUESTION:

•Tell us a secret indulgence?

I love cake. Cake smeared in buttercream. I have eaten almost a whole cake before. I was sick as fuck and regretted it, yet I’d do it again… insert winky face!

Thank you Annie for your time! People, if you’re looking for a debut author to try out, give a

Annie’s new book, Thirteen Hours To You, a try.

~Sue