Alexandrea Weis - I Began Writing at the Age of Eight (Author From French Quarter)

 

I grew up in the French Quarter of New Orleans, and that has given me a unique outlook on the importance of blending different cultures and beliefs into everything I write. My father was an independent motion picture director, and through him, I learned the craft of storytelling

 

Tell us more about your background and journey.

I grew up in the French Quarter of New Orleans and that has given me a unique outlook on the importance of blending different cultures and beliefs into everything I write. My father was an independent motion picture director, and through him, I learned the craft of storytelling. I’m a registered nurse and taught nursing at the university level before shifting into a full-time writer. It took a lot of hard work and learning my craft until I discovered my voice. 

After that, I dove headfirst into writing and have never looked back. My medical knowledge, and the discipline I learned in nursing, help a great deal with my craft, but the interaction I gained with patients honed my skills as a character writer. My love of animals also plays a critical role. They add humour and fun to what I write.  

 

 

When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

 

I wouldn’t say this is a career I chose as much as it chose me. I began writing at the age of eight, and it slowly became an obsession. I pursued a different avenue in college, becoming a nurse, but writing stayed with me. 

After finishing graduate school and landing my dream job in nursing, I finally returned to writing and penned my first novel. It has taken a lot of hard work to reach where I am today, but it was worth it. Every experience, every interaction makes you a better writer.    

 

 

Is it a financially stable career?

No, far from it. Don’t give up your day job. I spent years writing when I could fit it in after my full-time job. It is an expensive hobby, especially when you self-publish and consume hours of your time. 

It has taken a lot of work to get to a point where I am starting to see the years I spent paying off. But everyone is different. A lot will depend on what you write and how you promote yourself.   

 

Who is your favourite writer and why?

My go-to authors are Charles Dickens, Ian Fleming, and Phillipa Gregory. They can immerse me in a story and develop riveting characters.  

 

Where does your inspiration lie?

Anywhere and everywhere. I can find inspiration in a story on the internet, a tale a friend tells me, or looking back in my past. My mind is constantly swimming with story ideas. 

 

What does your typical day look like?

I spend eight to ten hours a day on the computer, so most of my day is writing or promoting. When not writing, I like to run a couple of miles every afternoon and care for my menagerie of animals. 

 

What piece of advice would you like to give to future aspiring writers?

Always write and keep writing. I compare writing to a muscle—it has to be used to improve. I have been published for almost fourteen years, but I wrote at least fifteen years before that. 

From the first book to my newest release, my writing has changed. Writers are constantly evolving, and you have to keep at it no matter how frustrated you might feel. 

 

Which is your favourite book and why?

Probably A Christmas Carol. I love the way the paranormal and real-world are woven into a masterful tale of redemption. For me, it is the epitome of a great story. It has all the elements that move the reader. No wonder it remains so well-loved. 

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Interviewed by - Subham Biswas