An Interview with Angela Pepper

An Interview with Angela Pepper

by Pamela James

MM: Give us some backstory on why, when and how you became an author?

I've always been a bookworm, but in 2010 I took a creative writing workshop and got hooked on writing. I wrote some short stories, then novels, and started publishing them myself in 2011. I've written everything from young adult fantasy to steamy romance, under various pen names.

MM: Where is your favorite place to write?

Once I start writing, I'm in a different world, so it doesn't matter where I am, as long as I'm comfortable.

MM: Do you re-read some of your favorite books?

I do love to re-read favorite books once a few years have passed. I tend to focus more on new things, though.

MM: What are you currently writing?

I'm working on Stormy Day Mystery book 4.

MM: Do you belong to a writing group?

I'm not in a formal group, but I'm friends with several writers, and we spend hours talking about craft, sharing ideas, working on our skills, supporting each other through the difficult parts, and celebrating through the good.

MM: Are there some people you would like to thank that have helped you along the path to being published?

I always thank the readers first, because without them it would be way less fun. After them, my husband has always been my #1 fan, my supporter, and my rock.

MM: Okay for some fun questions: What is your favorite movie, song, meal, dessert, place to vacation and way to de-stress at the end of a writing day?

My current routine (summer 2015) is that after work, I go for a brisk walk in the forest for about an hour. I walk with my husband, and we listen to an audiobook on headphones if we aren't feeling talkative. We return home and eat a nice healthy meal from the local delivery service that we love. We've been getting our dinners delivered for about a year now, and it's helped us to eat better while avoiding dinner-time crazies, since neither of us is wild about cooking.

Our city (Vancouver, Canada) is so beautiful that I don't feel the desire to travel much. We have both mountains and ocean right here, so we are very blessed.

MM: What would your characters tell us about you?

I hope my characters would say that I'm kind and seem happy. If they knew what havoc I'm causing in their lives, they might not like me so much.

MM: What comes first plot, character or setting?

If the plot is done well, all the reader will remember is the characters and setting.

MM: Tell us about where you live? Give us the tour and see it through your eyes?

I've mentioned the mountains, ocean, and forests. What you'll see depends on what you look for. On a grumpy day, I'll notice the heavy traffic, endless construction, and crowds of people. On a good day, I'll notice happy grandparents stopping with the young ones to watch big machines scoop dirt for an underground parkade, or a monarch butterfly fluttering over a busy intersection.

When I first moved to Vancouver, I was struck by the disparity between the wealthy and the working class. I was amazed by people who looked to be my age at the time (early 20s) and driving shiny new BMWs. I'm from a small town in Northern B.C., and there were social stratas there, but nothing like this.

I've grown accustomed to city life and city conveniences, twenty years later, but I will always be a nature girl. The sound of birds is the sweetest music to my ears.

MM: Take us thru your typical writing day?

Today was typical. I woke at 7:00am and turn on the room's lights, then snuggled in bed until 7:09am. My husband and I quietly made tea and breakfast shakes, checked email, then went to the beach at 9:00am. He took his kayak out for a paddle while I sat in the cafe overlooking the ocean, with my coffee and notepad. I wrote part of a chapter for about an hour, with pen on paper. We returned home, and I worked on my laptop for a few more hours.

Once my writing is done, the rest of the day disappears in two or three blinks!

MM: Leave us with a quote that you love?

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” - Oscar Wilde

 Check out Angela's website!