We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ann (AC) Sloan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ann (AC) below.

Ann, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.

The origin story for my novel Suffer is an interesting one. I used to work in the marketing department of a television network here in LA. I was in a meeting where we were tasked with brainstorming ideas to create buzz for the finale of a show I was promoting at the time (Scandal). Lots of ideas were bandied about in the session — some good, some bad, some outrageous — a typical brainstorm meeting. In the middle of that session, an idea for a novel popped in my head: what would happen if a network’s marketing stunt went off the rails? Who would the characters be? What is their world like? What are their journeys? I was interested in a story about the intersection of fandom and stardom with a theme of bullying at its core. While my job that day was there to brainstorm promotional stunts for a tv show, I walked out with a foundational concept of a novel. I started on that day to map out the plot, decide on characters, and I dedicated myself to writing a certain number of words a day. Only after I had a draft completed did I ask: now what? How do I get this published? Those questions started the second phase of this journey: learning all about book publishing.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am, first and foremost, a writer and a multidisciplinary one at that. Before publishing my debut novel, Suffer, I was the writer and producer of a fiction podcast called The Carlötta Beautox Chronicles — a screwball comedy about an actress and influencer and her I Love Lucy-esque attempts to become a star. After 3 seasons and over 40 episodes of that show, I wanted to stretch myself creatively, so I decided to fulfill a lifelong dream of writing a novel. Suffer is a comedy set in two starkly different worlds of the haves and the have-nots of Los Angeles and features a gender, racial, and neuro-diverse cast of characters. When the never-to-meet inhabitants of those two universes collide, someone is going to Suffer. It’s a fast-paced, David and Goliath story about a group of underdogs who bring a powerful tv network to its knees. Kind of a Swimming with Sharks meets Ruthless People vibe with tons of heart. I’m particularly proud of the audiobook version of Suffer which was voiced by a brilliant vo artist named Chelsea Kwoka. I’m currently working with a producer to develop the novel as a limited tv series.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I’d say the most rewarding aspect is seeing an idea that starts in the mind brought to life in a tangible way as something to be read, or watched, or listened to. You are literally creating something out of nothing and that feels very magical. It’s particularly satisfying if you are lucky enough to have people respond to it positively. The response of the public can be crushing though, when your ideas don’t resonate, but that’s part of the process. You have to be willing to gamble and be vulnerable but also not fall into a trap of self doubt.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Like a lot of creatives, I’ve experienced imposter syndrome — the feeling that your artistic contributions are not good enough. That can lead to tentativeness and self doubt. The only way to improve as a creative is to tune out the inner critic, make content, see how it is received, and think of ways you can do better next time. In a way, you have to be willing to appear foolish — I think that’s what vulnerability is. I used to limit myself and not put creative work out in the world. At some point in my life, I decided the benefits outweighed the risks, and I decided to put my work out there. Not every piece of work you do is going to be for everyone…and that’s fine. You might get a few 1 star reviews or thumbs down. It’s totally normal. Realizing that we don’t have to make everyone happy with our art is a very liberating notion.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.anncsloan.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acsloanwriter
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ACSloan.author/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ansloan/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/anncsloan
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@carlottabeautox7746
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/stores/A.C.-Sloan/author/B0B5YM32NS

Image Credits
Mariana Tosca (Headshot photo only)