Like many of us, my writing aspirations stemmed from a deep love for books and reading. I’ve always been smitten with words and delight in stringing the right ones together to create something evocative.  

Me That You See is set against the backdrop of the online sex industry. When I was in my early twenties, I worked as a promotional model. Essentially, I was monetising my youth and attractiveness. The modern world has brought with it a profession I find fascinating—camming. Camming is when a cam model is requested to perform certain activities, often sexual, in front of a webcam for paying clients who tune in online. I wanted to utilise my experience of being a "hired body", so to speak, and bring it into the modern setting of camming. I’m also fascinated by the notion of people lying to themselves. Rather than owning her choices, my protagonist, Lexi, chooses to hide them which, of course, leads to all sorts of drama!

I am currently chipping away at a third novel. I’m using a dual timeline to contrast my protagonist’s experience of first love, epic parties and endless possibilities in her twenties with a suburban family life under threat in her forties. It demonstrates how the decisions of our youth can cause ripples for decades and explores themes of chronic illness, lost identity, sextortion and second chances.    

I have had so many lives! I was an award-winning milliner, promotional model, wanderluster, television extra, accessories designer, vintage market organiser, sales and marketing maven and creator of human life.

I’ve been able to combine my writing skills with my sales and marketing background to pivot into copywriting and social media marketing.

My main advice is don’t be afraid to try. Find the volume knob on your imposter syndrome, turn that sucker down and have a go at writing. The writing itself becomes your apprenticeship. It’s how you hone your craft. Also, find your tribe. Bookish pals are a different breed of friend. Shout out your writing aspirations on social media or at writerly meet ups. Then, support and be supported. Read insatiably and be inspired by the work of others. Then, find your voice.  

I’m inspired by the women I know, by the supportive friendships we cultivate in minutes or over decades. Women supporting women is a recurrent theme in my work and if you could meet my friends you would see why.

My hobbies include ugly crying into my husband’s t-shirt while watching emotionally manipulative television shows, remaining at a restaurant with my friends so long that the wait staff start putting their coats on, and singing American jazz tunes with my children in the bathroom where the acoustics are good.

Instagram: @annefreemanwrites

Website: https://www.annefreeman.com.au/subscribe Visit my website and sign up for my monthly newsletter where I share subscriber exclusives and free downloads.

Contact via: Hawkeye Contact Page