10Q TUESDAY WITH Ann Mayburn

Where do you dream of traveling to and why?

One of my goals is to travel to Kazan, Russia someday. My book, Daughter of Lust, is set in Kazan and while researching the city and its history I've fallen in love with it.  From the medieval architecture to the Kazan Kremlin I have a list of places I want to see that's a mile long. Situated on the Volga and Kazanka rivers, the city has long been a vibrant center for trade and culture.

Beyond the physical beauty, the people that are the heart and soul of Kazan are what fascinate me the most. Strong and resilient, they are the result of generations overcoming every hardship imaginable. They are a blend of religions and beliefs, and nowhere is that more evident than the dozens of churches and mosques that live next to each other in peace.  

Do you use a pen name? If so, how did you come up with it?

I use a pen name to keep the hordes of stalkers interested in watching me stare at a computer screen and change diapers while wearing pajamas with my baby food encrusted hair in a ponytail from finding me. ;) Just kidding about the hordes of stalkers part, the rest is sadly true.

I came up with my pen name by doing the old 'what's your porn star name' game. In this case, my middle name and the name of the street I grew up on. What would your porn star/author name be? 

Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?

Does the theme music to the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse count?

What is your favorite meal?

My mother is 100% Polish and she always made us delicious golumpkis(stuffed cabbage). I learned the recipe from her, added my own touch, and could live on them. Weird, I know.

What was the scariest moment of your life?

When my third son, Max, was born at 31 weeks and weighed 4 lbs 8 oz. I was absolutely terrified for him, trying to do everything I could to stop my labor. During the day I'd become addicted to those 'having a baby' shows and I knew the tough road he had ahead of him. I have a crystal clear memory of lying on the c-section table and waiting to hear him cry. When there was only silence I looked at my husband in panic and he rushed after the NICU staff into the room next door where they were trying to get him going. After what seemed like an eternity I finally heard a faint cry and I can't even describe my relief. Almost a year later, Max is a happy and BIG baby who is eating us out of house and home. 

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A horse trainer and an archeologist. 

If you could apologize to someone in your past, who would it be?

My Mom. When I was a typical selfish and naive teenager she was the dumbest person in the world who would never understand me. The older I get the smarter she gets. ;)

How did you start your writing career?

I decided to start writing in June of '10 after the premature birth of my third son. It was a really rough delivery. I lost a great deal of blood and had some touch and go moments. While I was recovering from my c-section, without my baby, I had a lot of time to think. In my morphine pumped induced state, I considered all the things that I'd done and what I still wanted to do.
I'd had A LOT of fun in my life, and marrying my husband and having my children was a joy that I can never fully explain. One thing I'd wanted to do was write a book. I've always been a heavy reader, my husband used to moan at my monthly bills from the bookstore, and I have an over-active imagination. The trouble was focusing my ADD 'Oh look a squirrel, oh look a penny' self to sit down and write.

Basically, I stopped making excuses about why I couldn't do it, and sat down and did it. I found that once I started, I couldn't stop. My muse went into overdrive and I have more ideas than I have hours in the day.

Does your significant other read your stuff?

My husband, bless his heart, is a very slow reader. He's waiting for them to come out on audio.

If you could be an animal, what would it be?

A bear. The sleep of hibernation sounds like nirvana to me. My kids won't sleep past 6 am.