Member Interview: Author Anna Alsup

Where did you grow up, and how did that place (or those places) shape your work?

I grew up in Austin, Texas, split between our home near Lake Travis and my family’s horse ranch in Georgetown (back when there was practically nothing out there!) My childhood was a mix of time spent on the water, at boat docks, caring for animals, climbing trees, and exploring endless nooks and crannies of a one-hundred-year-old barn. One year, during a drought, the lake was so low we could walk across it, uncovering all sorts of oddities and sunken treasures. My work is heavily shaped by those locations, and it can be seen in the adventurous spirit you’ll find in my stories today.

Did you always want to be an author, or did that come later?

Becoming an author wasn’t always the plan. I’ve always been an avid reader—so much so that my dad would joke about no more books allowed, while my mom countered, “Too much reading isn’t a thing!” I would often write stories as a kid, but unfortunately I encountered a series of indifferent, unhelpful teachers who stifled my love for books and writing so significantly that I tested out of my last two years of English through a high school acceleration program, just so I did not have to take another English class. 

It wasn’t till over a decade later that I decided to take the leap and challenge myself to complete one book. (I write YA, so that was an 80,000 word goal.) Coming from an engineering background, that time of my author journey felt like I was a newborn horse on skinny, shaky legs. It was filled with failures, but also incredible milestones. Every chapter finished was a victory. Now, with multiple manuscripts under my belt, I can’t imagine life without writing—it’s shaped my hobbies, my friendships, and my direction in life.

If someone were to follow you around for 24 hours, what would they see?

They’d quickly learn that I’m a busy-body! I’m always juggling something—whether it’s work, hosting book clubs, volunteering at the Texas Book Fest, attending live music events, planning events for SCBWI, or hitting the gym, to name a few. I have always thrived with a full plate of activities and responsibilities. (I think it is the eldest daughter in me.) They would also see that my favorite meal of the day is lunch, I like to read in the mornings, and I carry a water bottle everywhere, obsessively. Evenings? Ideally, spent cozy, in bed with my cats.

How does your everyday life feed your work? 

Right now, my everyday life doesn’t directly influence my writing, which is why I intentionally surround myself with creatives and organizations like SCBWI. My biomedical engineering background doesn’t currently make its way into my stories either—maybe subconsciously, I think I’ve drawn a line between my professional life and creative pursuits. Engineering has always been a practical path for me, not necessarily a passion. That said, who knows? One day, I might write about a bionic girl or a groundbreaking medical discovery. For now, my inspiration comes more from adventures, hiking, and exploring the unknown.

Tell us about some accomplishments that make you proud.

Funnily enough, I have a degree in engineering from a top 20 university, and around the time I was completing my degree, I hit 50,000 words on my first book. Want to know what is still hanging above my desk? A screenshot of the word-count milestone. It sounds silly, but there was no external pressure to write those words. That intrinsic sense of accomplishment and pride has never left me. 

I’m also incredibly proud of the writing community I’ve built, the time I’ve dedicated to mentoring other writers, and the joy of publishing my first short story. (Side note: why did no one tell me earlier how fun short stories are, compared to slaving away on a YA book for a year?) 

What surprises you about the creative life?

Three things stick out to me: it takes way longer than you’d expect, it can be lonely, and it's impossible to stop. 

Balancing creative projects with life means constantly choosing between writing and, well, everything else. It’s not something I anticipated would require so much discipline. The loneliness can creep in too. Without effort, it’s easy to retreat into your work and miss out on the camaraderie that comes with sharing the creative experience. You have to make a conscious effort to attend events or connect with fellow creatives. 

Lastly, it’s impossible to stop writing! I recently had a burnout period. I stepped away completely for a few months, unsure if I’d ever come back. (If you ever want to chat burnout, let me know!) After a couple months of hiatus, ideas started bubbling up, and I was jotting them down in my Notes app or notebooks. Eventually, I found my way back, reinvigorated, and with better habits to prevent burnout in the future.

When a reader discovers your work, what do you hope they find?

I hope they find authentic representation of what it’s like to be a teen. For a long time, I tutored kids of all ages; and the late middle school through high school kids were always my favorite age. Writing YA is my way of celebrating that incredible age when kids are figuring out who they are and where they belong. I hope my readers find characters like themselves having fun, while navigating citations that show them that they’re plenty strong and capable.

Quick-Fire Questions: 

Do you ever feel trapped during the writing process?

Yes, often. Writing an 80-90K-word novel means keeping track of so much information, and revisions can make me feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of work ahead. The most daunting moments come when I’m in heavy revisions, questioning what I’ve already fixed, and the sheer volume of what’s left to do. I have started using Jessica Brody’s ‘book bible’ process to keep detailed, organized notes and progress through a story.

What thrills you about writing thrillers?

I like to write multiple genres—contemporary, suspense, survival, dystopian—but they all share thriller and suspense elements. I love creating fast-paced, high-stakes stories where readers barely have time to catch their breath. My characters face physical peril and mental challenges, often forced into situations where they must outsmart the bad guys or face the unknown.

Mountains or beach?

Mountains! My husband and I are avid hikers—we’ve explored over 10 national parks and often take two-week hiking trips. Some of my stories are inspired by the places we’ve been. We even got married at the top of a mountain in Colorado. (Note: it’s very windy up there!)