Tell me about yourself. What got you started in writing?
I’m not really sure what prompted me.
I guess I always had a vivid
imagination. When I played as a child, I
would make up these stories in my head.
Eventually, I started writing them down.
The ideas never stopped coming, and I never stopped writing!
How and where do you write? Do you prefer a lap top or do you prefer writing
freehand?
I do both. It just depends on my mood. Most of the time, I do write by hand and type
it up later. But sometimes, if I know I
need to work on a project, I will look through the document and start composing
on the computer.
What's your favorite part about
writing? Your least favorite part about writing?
I love when I’m in the moment and the
words just flow naturally. I can see the
scene and the characters clearly. My
least favorite is probably research.
Though I learn a lot of things and it can be very interesting, it is a
definite challenge to find what I need to find.
So I have a love/hate relationship with research.
How do you come up with your
characters? Why would readers want to get to know them?
I guess they just come to me out of
the blue. Usually, I get a scene or a
piece of dialogue in my head and go from there.
I fill out all the details of the character as I go along
(likes/dislikes, background). I think a
lot of my characters have a lot of hard life experiences behind them and that’s
what makes them stronger. I only hope
that appeals to readers.
What types of marketing do you do
to promote your writing?
I mainly do social networking. I promote on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and
Google+. I can’t really afford to do
more than that just now. I also try to
list my books in as many places as possible (i.e. Goodreads, Shelfari,
LibraryThing, etc.). I have done a
couple of book cover ads here and there.
How do you schedule your writing
time? When do you write?
I don’t exactly schedule it. I write when I can in between my side job and
real life. I try to write as often as
possible. When I know I need to work on
something, I focus more on that project.
A lot of my ideas come to me at night, just before I go to sleep, which
can make me really tired!
What are you currently working on?
Do you have a new book out?
My current release is Leather and Lace, a romantic
suspense. It just came out in
November. Before that, I released Upon Your Return, a historical
romance. It came out in February. It is set in Victorian France. I am currently polishing the sequel to Upon Your Return. I am also working on a romantic suspense with
another writer, and I am planning on re-releasing all of my self-published
books under the same name.
Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.
I have so many of them! Specifically, I do have a time travel romance
in mind. It starts out in modern day New
York City and when the heroine comes across a “special” necklace, she is
transported to France in the Middle Ages.
Needless to say, she gets the surprise of her life.
What would you tell a beginning
writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?
Read, read, read. And then write just as much. Take some classes just to get your feet under
you. There are plenty of free ones
online or at least very affordable ones.
Do anything you can to improve your writing. You will gain the confidence as you go
along. Oh…and never give up. The quickest way to kill your confidence in
your writing is to give up your dream.
***
Thanks Marie! Learn more about Marie:
Websites:
http://www.marielavender.webs.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Lavender/e/B00C10Q94I/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Another great interview, Marie...where I always learn a few more details about you, the woman behind the writer!
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