We were lucky to catch up with Annette O’Hare recently and have shared our conversation below.
Annette, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
The Bolivar Point Lighthouse series has been my most meaningful project. Growing up in Houston, Texas in the late 1970s, my family visited Bolivar most every summer. The ferry ride connecting Galveston Island with the Bolivar Peninsula was my favorite part of the trip.
I knew exactly where the ferry docked because my dad taught me to spot a specific landmark. In the eyes of this little girl, the Bolivar Point Lighthouse appeared as tall as a skyscraper.
The beacon, which was extinguished in 1933, no longer guides ships in and out of Galveston Bay. The original lighthouse was built prior to the Civil War! In fact, the Confederates dismantled the lighthouse during the war. According to some reports, the iron tower was dismantled to prevent the Union from taking advantage of its light. Others say the iron was used to make weapons and artillery. Regardless of the reason, it was this factual event that I inspired my first novel, Northern Light on.
Later, I discovered my father had a familial tie to the lighthouse. The war department took possession of the lighthouse in 1935. In 1947, the tower was sold at auction to my dad’s relative for $5,500.00.
My love for Texas history took me on a deep dive into the accounts of the 150 plus year old lighthouse. The fascinating things I learned inspired me to share her story. I have recently connected with my lighthouse cousins through their 501c https://bolivarpointlighthouse.org/ The foundation is primarily focused on repairing and restoring the lighthouse. The estimated 2.5 million project will allow public access on a limited basis. I hope you’ll consider joining us in supporting this project to preserve a precious piece of Texas history.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My bio says Annette O’Hare is an award-winning author from Southeast Texas. Her historical novels reflect her deep love for the history and heritage of her home state. O’Hare’s pre-teen mystery series combines compelling characters who solve mysteries while addressing current issues affecting young people. Annette is a Christian author who desires to share God’s love with her readers while giving them something to laugh about.
I began my writing career quite by accident. Having written multiple skits for church services, I tried my hand at writing a novel. Failing to sell my creation led me to join a writer’s group, which turned out to be my smartest move ever. The experience of meeting a group of like-minded individuals who are ready to mentor a novice writer is truly unmatched. I invested time in honing my skills and crafting my own distinct writing voice. Although I faced many rejections, my persistence finally paid off when I secured a literary contract with a traditional publishing house.
When I decided to write in three different genres, I committed the ultimate author sin. I’ve listened to all the arguments against doing this. Nonetheless, I believed I had something worth sharing, prompting me to go forward, securing my next contract for the Max Tales Mysteries pre-teen series.
I occasionally speak to small groups with topics ranging from book marketing practices, historical writing research tools, and story plotting for kids. My most recent adventure has been searching out and placing my books inside Little Free Libraries, or LFLs. The vision of this non-profit is an LFL in every community and a book for every reader. They even have an app to locate LFLs nationwide.
My latest and most imaginative project is a children’s picture book titled, Carrion My Wayward Son. One reviewer said, “this book combines excellent lessons in science and nature with a heaping serving of laughter.” I was inspired to write Carrion while stopped at a red light. Out of the corner of my eye, I glimpsed a deceased deer, surrounded by a “wake” of seven buzzards. A wake? Yes, a group of feeding vultures is called a wake. At first, I had a disgusted reaction, but my perspective changed once I researched these fascinating creatures and discovered their importance in the balance of nature. Written in the style of Dr. Seuss, Carrion My Wayward Son is a picture book that is both well-researched and scientifically accurate. I gained a wealth of knowledge about vultures and their vital role in the circle of life. The book received recognition on the International Vulture Awareness Day webpage. With Carrion, I believe I have successfully achieved my aim of offering parents a delightful and educational story that they can enjoy reading to their children over and over again.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Anyone selling a product needs a social media following. More than half of the global population is currently active on social media. For authors, the key is to identify your genre’s target audience. Determine the social media platforms they frequent and prioritize their marketing efforts on those specific outlets.
A good strategy is to engage with your audience. Ask questions, start conversations. Appearing relatable and approachable, which can be challenging for creative individuals, will endear you to your audience. Creating a posting schedule is another great idea. Sharing consistent on-brand content leads to better results. Don’t be the person who constantly yells, “Buy my product!” Instead of promoting yourself, invite fans to get to know the real you. Foster relationships based on mutual interests. Be a friend to your audience and they will be loyal to you.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Pursuing a career in writing can be a rollercoaster ride. The process of learning, perfecting, and selling your creation can be overwhelming. Authors can be isolated, introverts who fear being in the spotlight. We join writer’s groups because they’re the only people who understand us. Make no mistake, writing is not your ticket to instant wealth and fame. So, what motivates one to do it?
This question often crosses my mind. Quitting and giving up can sometimes feel like the easier option. I have been in tears, confiding in my closest girlfriend, a women’s ministry leader. After scrolling through her phone, she handed it to me and told me to read. The young woman was struggling and couldn’t understand why God would put her through such turmoil. When her trauma passed, she sent a message saying she was reminded of a character in one of my books who reluctantly trusted God during the worst storm in U.S. history. Like the character, the woman realized God was in control. He never abandoned her, and He already knew the outcome of her situation. A kinship with a fictional character I created who lived 150 years ago encouraged someone in the here and now. That’s just one reason why I do what I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.annetteohare.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annette_ohare/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annetteohareauthor
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AnnetteOHare
- Other: Amazon Book Page: https://amzn.to/3XlYnB8
Publication History:
Bolivar Point Lighthouse Series
2016 Northern Light, Pelican Book Group, White Rose Publishing
2018 Redeeming Light, Pelican Book Group, White Rose Publishing
2018 Child of Light Pelican Book Group, Harbourlight Books
2019 Redeeming Light, Thorndike Press Large Print
2023 Search Light, Pelican Book Group, White Rose Publishing2019 The Lady and the Lawman Novella Collection, Love Conquers Oil, Barbour Books
Max Tales Mysteries Series
2020 Puppy Ciao, Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.
~ Bronze Medal, Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards
~ Silver Medal, Christian Author Network Excellence in Marketing Award
2021 No Bones About It, Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.
~ First Place, Christian Indie Awards, Children’s Pre-Teen Lit.
2022 Puppy Ciao, Novel Companion, Devotional, Study Guide, Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.
2023 Carrion My Wayward Son, Annette O’Hare, 1836 Press
Image Credits
Professional shots courtesy of Cara Williams of Designed by Kelly
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