Dark Legends Block Party!

Anna Hub

Featured Book: Beyond the Shadows

Hello readers! I'm a paranormal thriller author from Perth, Western Australia (yes, I have a funny accent) and I'm so excited to be involved in the Dark Legends boxed set. There are so many amazing authors in this project, I can't wait to unleash it upon the world!

Welcome, Anna! How long have you been a writer and how did you come to writing?

When I was a child I wanted to be an author, but as I grew up society somehow managed to convince me it wasn't a good career choice. So when I left high-school, I studied nursing instead but as soon as I started working in that field, a deep sense of dissatisfaction stirred in me. Something was missing and that sense of being lost led me to my first novel. The more I wrote, the happier I became and I haven't looked back since. Now my motto is: if you can't do it with passion, don't do it at all!

How did you come up with this story line?

Shadows are constantly used to represent fear of the unknown in an audience, whether it be via movies, music or performance. I felt drawn to them because they can evoke such powerful emotions. I wanted to work on something dark and mysterious but not just to scare, rather to use as a contrast for the light.

I thought, what if there was a good reason to fear your own shadow? What if it was the gateway to a sinister new world?

The idea would leave my protagonist completely powerless, because no matter how fast she ran or how hard she tried to escape it, her shadow would always be one step behind her. I wanted to take her to the very edge of her survival ability, then give her the strength to overcome it. Because that's what we all do in life, we fight to survive the bad things that happen to us.

What are the best and the worst aspects of writing?

Writing a book is one of the hardest things I've ever done and that never seems to change, whether it's my first or my sixth novel. Because every book is different and they can't be written the same way. Some days it really does feel as though every minute is just one tiny step in an impossible journey. But although it can be torturous, that is exactly the same thing that makes it so incredibly rewarding! It's not worth winning if you don't have to fight for it. All the frustration, long nights and aching neck muscles make the words 'The End' feel like such a victory. It's within the struggle that there's glory!

What inspires you to write?

I've always been in love with dark concepts of ghosts, witches, magic and demons. I want to believe the supernatural exists in our world, even though we can't see it. Writing books is the best way for me to find myself in their world. It truly is like living multiple lives at once. And I find the more I write, the more I learn about myself. It's a way to digest the things that are happening in my life. Things that make me happy, things that break my heart and things that inspire me to be a better person.

How did you conduct your research for Beyond the Shadows?

I had so much fun researching for Beyond the Shadows! I used a combination of Google searches and library books. My favourite was an SAS survival guide. So if the zombie apocalypse comes, you want to be with me. I know all about how to find food in the wilderness!

What is your favourite quote from Beyond the Shadows?

"You spend so long fearing it," his gaze lingered on his shadow, "but everything here is opposite. The very thing that brought you nightmares can be the thing you hope for."

What would your friends say is your best quality?

I'm a good listener and a loyal friend. Once you've got me, you've got me for life :)