Ann Lee Miller is a member of my local writing group. In our few conversations, I’ve found that we both have a love of helping people find freedom in Christ. In fact, her bio says, “Whether writing or speaking, Ann’s spiritual niche is inspiring flawed people to connect with a flawless God.”
You can find Ann at her website: Ann Lee Miller.
MG: When did you know you wanted to write?
Ann Lee Miller: I've known I wanted to write since the year I discovered Sister Sheila had hair. I was in fifth grade at St. Hugh's Catholic School in Miami, Florida, knee deep in nouns and verbs, when Sister Sheila walked through the door in a new habit that showed two inches of mouse brown hair threaded with silver. Thanks to Sister Sheila's encouragement and love of language I went on to earn a B.A. in creative writing from Ashland (OH) University.
MG: How long have you been writing?
Ann Lee Miller: I've journaled for over thirty years, penned occasional newspaper and magazine articles, and written novels for the past six years. Last spring I signed with Judy Mikalonis of Andrea Hurst Literary Management who is shopping my four-book YA New Smyrna Beach (Florida) Series. Zondervan, Penguin, and David C. Cook publishers expressed interest in Book I, Avra's God.
MG: How often do you write? Do you have a routine?
Ann Lee Miller: I try to get forty hours at the computer a week. I'm a late bloomer, starting my career in my fifties, and feel blessed to have a green light from God and the support of my family to write full time.
MG: What kind of stories do you tell?
Ann Lee Miller: My stories focus on flawed characters in their twenties who have not yet settled into love or career and have unresolved issues stemming from poor choices. Strong romantic and spiritual themes run through my books.
MG: Do you have any other pursuits besides writing?
Ann Lee Miller: My husband and I go hiking in the mountains once a week. I'd rather read fiction than eat. Going to garage sales is a close second.
MG: Do you have a favorite author and or genre that you read?
Ann Lee Miller: My current favorite author is Charles Martin. I like literary novels that lean toward romance. I'm a fan of Francine Rivers, Kristen Heitzmann, Lisa Samson, Jenny B. Jones, Julie Lessman, Susan Meissner, Elizabeth Musser, Sue Monk Kidd, Cindy Martinusen, Jodi Picoult, Alice Sebold, among many others.
MG: If you could keep only two writing books, what would they be and why?
Ann Lee Miller: I cut my fiction teeth on Stein on Writing, but I have a death grip on Donald Maass' Writing the Breakout Novel, and Fire in Fiction.
MG: If you could visit only two writing blogs, what would they be?
Ann Lee Miller: Confession time: I never find enough time to read or write blogs.
MG: Why did you decide to pursue publishing?
Ann Lee Miller: It seems more like publishing pursued me--not in the sense that publishers are knocking my door down (uproarious laughter). This is my passion. I can do nothing else. I joked today with my husband that people sometimes say they love their work so much they'd do it for free. But not many actually do work for free. While my status is vaguely noteworthy, I prefer it to be temporary.
MG: What has been the most difficult aspect of trying to get published?
Ann Lee Miller: Enough rejection slips to paper my office.
MG: What one piece of advice would you give other writers, either about writing or about seeking publication?
Ann Lee Miller: Become a student of the craft.
Read more interviews.
