Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a British author, living in the south east of the UK, and I’m in my early thirties. I’ve recently published my début novel, ‘The Anatomy of Desire’, but have spent several years ghostwriting, and I’ve published a few short stories and a novella under a pseudonym.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘The Anatomy of Desire’ is a historical erotic/romance set in Victorian London. The idea came about during a discussion with a friend about the label “female hysteria”, which was so readily bandied about in that era. I started to think about psychological and sexual issues that were misunderstood, dismissed and “treated” in ways that we would now think of as positively medieval. And a story began to unfold.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think I do. I am a bit of a stickler for needing absolute quiet to work – if there’s a lot of noise in the house, I find it really off-putting, but I don’t suppose that’s unusual.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The leaning I have for historical fiction comes from reading the likes of Wilkie Collins, the Brontes and Jane Austen. I recently also read ‘The Scarlet Letter’ for the first time, and I think facets of that tightly-bound, frustrated world found their way into my writing.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on two ideas, both of them contemporary novels. One is a real break from the norm for me, because it’s being narrated in the first person from the male protagonist’s point of view. It’s always a lot of fun to get inside any character’s head, but it’s particularly enjoyable to see the women of the story through a man’s eyes.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m very new to the world of self-promotion and marketing, so I don’t claim to have any pearls of wisdom. But I’m finding blogging and social media great fun. And Goodreads, of course, is great. I get the feeling the most important thing is to have fun with it and not overtly try to sell your stuff. But I may change my tune in six to twelve months time!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would say, if you have a story you want to tell, then go for it. Don’t let insecurity stop you, just take the plunge.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Nora Roberts is quoted as having said, “You can fix anything but a blank page.” I think that’s great advice for all writers. There are times when nothing’s coming out the way you want it to and, in those frustrating moments, I try to cling to that phrase.
What are you reading now?
I started reading ‘Frankenstein’ at university, but never finished it, so I’m trying to do Mary Shelley the courtesy of making it all the way through this time. Similarly, I made a dent in Stephen King’s ‘Under the Dome’, and should really get back into that.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I guess only time will tell. I hope to have another novel ready for publishing by the summer and, after that, who knows?
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Complete Works of Shakespeare
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
Crime and Punishment (I’ve never read it, but I think something long to while away the hours would be a good thing)
The Woman in White
Author Websites and Profiles
Ayana Prende Website
Ayana Prende Amazon Profile
Ayana Prende Author Profile on Smashwords
Ayana Prende’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account
Any chance you would sell me a copy of Anatomy of Desire? It is not available anywhere.