I’m so excited to help welcome the debut novel by Annie Walls, Taking on the Dead–the first book in the Famished Trilogy!

Book Description

Life for Kansas was perfect until the day the world changed.

She has been hiding out for four years in solitude. It’s the only way to survive. The only way not to draw the living dead. Helping a small group of people, she learns the new world might not be what she assumes. Venturing out of her refuge and comfort zone, she meets Rudy, who helps her find a greater purpose. She realizes that the world has moved on without her. Only it’s not what she expects. Her knowledge of the living dead grows and only makes her more curious as humanity continues to hang on by a thread. While on her search for answers she finds comfort in new friendships and love, but her past seems as if it will haunt her forever.

Kansas takes it upon herself to help other survivors, which would be easy if the famished were the only obstacles.

In a trilogy plot thick with twists and turns, this adult dark fantasy is emotional as much as it is horrifyingly gripping.

 Before I start answering your questions, I just want to say thanks for having me on your blog today, Carrie! I’m excited to be here!

1.  Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a stay at home mother, full time writer, and an active member of the Lollipop Gang (I don’t know what this means, but my husband tells me all the time, so it must be true).

2.  What made you want to become a writer?

I wouldn’t say I wanted to be a writer, I’ve always been one without really knowing it. I was never pushed to pursue writing, and never thought about writing seriously or publishing until Taking on the Dead was finished.

3.  Who or what gives you inspiration?

Everything gives me inspiration of a sort. I file things away without a thought, and it comes back up later when I need it. It’s cool how the brain works this way.

4.  Tell us about Taking on the Dead.

It’s about zombies. Haha! Well, kind of. TotD follows my main character, Kansas, through the trails and tribulations of living in a zombie apocalypse. While there are action scenes and tons of gore, that’s not everything. Kan has been alone for four years. Survival being the only thing she knows, she has no idea what’s been going on in the outside world. When she gets there, nothing is what she thought. I’ve written a little bit of everything in this trilogy. Horror, action, romance, and suspense interweave in a vivid world.

 5.  What’s the hardest part of being a writer?

Coming up with new and exciting ideas that would be of interest to an audience.

6.  What do you need around you to write (special drink, lucky items, etc)?

I love to write outside on my patio. I’ve written some good stuff out there.

7.  What are some of your favorite books?

Uh, haha! I love a lot of things. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess, Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z. Brite, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, and Rhythm in Blue by TFC Parks are some novels I’ve reread recently.
 8.  Are your characters based on anyone you know?

Not a one. Haha, I wouldn’t blatantly write anyone in. That’s not to say a few don’t condone a small characteristic or two. One of my characters, Ty, his hair style is based from a guy I was acquainted with in high school. Trust me, the hairstyle fits him. Just little things like that… nothing noticeable.

9.  What, if anything, are you working on right now?

I’m revising The Famished Trilogy book two for editing so I can publish it as soon as possible. I’m also working on a few anthology short stories.

10.  Why do you love writing?

It calls. I get an idea and it festers until it becomes almost real in my mind. When it gets out on paper, it’s pretty cool and a worthy self accomplishment. It’s a reason I can’t force myself to write… when I do, it’s absolute crap.

Annie Walls Links: