Interview by Teresa Wild, an independent Ottawa journalist on Sept 13, 2005: Ann, I understand it was your daughter who got you interested in writing. How did that happen? Who learned the most, you or your daughter?

Yes. Shannon kept leaving all sorts of short stories lying about the house. The problem was, none of them were finished so I thought I would show her how to plot a story. Aren’t we supposed to teach by example? Well, I put a pen to paper, then my fingers to the keyboard, and next thing you know “The Orange Moon” was written. That was four years ago. Since then I’ve written two more books and rewritten the first several times until it was finally picked up by BeWrite Books and published as “Star Dust.” I honestly thought I was helping my daughter, but ended up helping myself instead by rediscovering my inner child, and finding balance in my life. 

Who are your favorite authors, and why?

Nancy Cane was, and will always be my favorite. She abducted my imagination in her book “CIRCLE OF LIGHT” and introduced me to futuristic romance. I’ve read & re-read her books so many times that I know her characters as well as my own, and because of this, her writing has had a huge influence in my writing style.

Other futuristic authors that I enjoy are Rowena Cherry, Saranne Dawson, Christine Michels and Stobie Piel. Occasionally I break away from futuristic and enjoy a little historical. I adore Hanna Howell’s sense of humor in her Scottish Highland series. Terry Brooks & Sara Douglass capture my imagination when I resort to pure fantasy…

What advice do you have for first-time authors?

Don’t ever give up on your dreams, but understand that by becoming a writer your life will never be the same. It might be a long, tough road to travel but in the end you will discover qualities within yourself you never knew existed, and enjoy the rewards of all that effort.

What is it about space fiction that makes your imagination soar?

Out there in the limitless expanse of space, there are no rules except those created by the forces of nature… Any life sustaining planet would be orbiting a sun, creating some form of gravity. Ecosystems will very, but the relationships between vegetation, animal and sentient life would be similar, but there the similarities end unless you believe that we were all created in the image of a higher being… Thus the fascination begins with no apparent limits placed upon my imagination.

In Star Dust, you mix science fiction with fantasy elements, like a thousand-year old prophecy. Do you believe in the supernatural, or are you more scientific?

Teresa that is a loaded question!

Let me give you my definition of supernatural first: Anything that is not easily explained, or may not be tangible or visible, but (whatever “it” is) does have a positive or negative effect. That result is the only clue we have that something “supernatural" has occurred. Did I confuse you yet?

Yes. I believe with all my heart that everything happens for a reason, even if we don't understand why or how they occur in the first place. Let me ask you a question. Have you ever asked or wished for a sign? Something that would clarify a troublesome issue in your life, and found the answer in the form of a message in the paper, words in a book, or even images in the clouds? Everyone has their own sensitivity level, but various forms of "supernatural" occur each and every day, you just need to watch for them. 

Do you think the two can co-exist?

There will always be situations and events that can not be explained, nor should we know everything or we would loose the desire to search for the truth. Science is how we seek those answers, and it provides an accurate measurement of how we have evolved through the years. 

In Star Dust, Commander Zara Darien of Shimuran Starship Command screws up First Contact by blowing David Alexander's NASA ship out of the stars. Do you believe there's intelligent life out there? If so, do you think we're ready for contact with them, or would it be a disaster?

Yes. I definitely believe there is life out there.

There are some of us who are ready to make contact, but the overall emotional state of our world population is fear of the unknown, mixed with racial prejudice and violence. If we cannot get along with our neighboring countries and other races that look and believe differently than ourselves, what makes you think we will accept an alien with open arms? In my humble opinion, we are a race of sentient beings that are too immature to accept an invitation to make contact without expecting, and preparing for disaster.

Having said that, let me ask you another question: What makes you think they’re not here already?

If we were all created in the image of a higher being, it would suggest that we would be similar in appearance... Wouldn't that explain  the increased psychic phenomenon that are occurring around the globe, as well as these "supernatural" events you asked about earlier?

In my humble opinion, it would be wiser for them to check us out before making contact.