An Interview with CP Ann Olson

Many of you on AC probably know the name Ann Olson. As a professional writer, she has tackled numerous topics, from Kung Pao Chicken to Viagra alternatives, and graduation songs to "tentacle rape." We caught up recently, and Ms. Olson discussed many of her interests, reasons for writing, and RPG-playing. For details, read on...

Eric Pudalov: So, have you been into writing for a long time?

Ann Olson: Hmm, well now that I think about it, I pretty much have my entire life. I started writing small stories when I was 9 and continued writing stories well into high school.

After that I moved into articles and more non-fiction work, which eventually led to what I do today. I do enjoy writing fiction though, and I'm still writing it today...just not as frequently, because I'm busy with work and other things.

EP: Can you explain what your job entails?

AO: I basically ghostwrite for a living.

EP: Oh, how cool! Does this mean you don't get credit?

AO: Yeah, that means I get to write lots of funky articles and others get to say they wrote it. Which I don't mind, given the right price...but hopefully I can move on from that eventually.

I would like to be one of those writers you see in magazines or in newspapers someday, offering my own view of the world. But I'll settle for this right now.

EP: Had you tried any other writing sites before AC?

AO: Could you define writing sites? Do you mean writing sites that pay you like AC or something else?

EP: I was thinking of sites like Helium.com that pay you, yes...unless you want to include blogs in that!

AO: Yes then, Associated Content was officially my start into that sort of world. I thought I would just try it out and write a couple of articles about my interests, but I ended up liking it so much I continued writing!

EP: You mentioned being an RPG-er; what are some of your favorite games and why?

AO: Oh yes, I'm a huge RPG nut. I've been playing RPGs since I was 10. I started out on some lesser known RPGs but my first serious RPG was Final Fantasy 7, which I still play occasionally to this day. That's probably my favorite RPG. The entire game just drew me in. Even today I'm amazed at how simple but complex the whole storyline was.