Authors Welcome!

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Author Spotlight

Welcome Laverne Thompson - Author we are so happy to have you here today.
Can you answer a few questions for your fans? Great Lets Get Started!
 
 
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve pretty much always written or wove a story out of something I’ve read or just made up myself. I was about 11 I think when I thought I wanted to be a writer.

How long does it take you to write a book?
Truly depends on the book. I think the longest is 10 years for my second full-length novel. That’s before I was ever published. The first book I’ve even written I’ve never published. Lol But 10 years has really been the longest. I work on 2 or 3 stories at a time, so I can and have finished novellas in 2 weeks and full-lengths in a year.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
I’m a full-time writer so I’m always writing. I travel everywhere with my laptop. I’ve gotten up at 3 in the morning because a scene has crystallized and I MUST lol get it down or else it’s gone forever.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I sometime sit on one of those exercise balls to write. Since writers sit so much it’s a good way to exercise some of those core muscles while you write.

How do your books get published?
I’m a hybrid author. I’m published with small press publishers and also self-publish under my LLC. But most of my work for the last couple of years have been self-published.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Lol I pretty much just have to open my eyes and ears and the ideas are all around me. I’ve gotten ideas from being stuck at long lights, from staring into mist as it rises off a mountain top right after a thunder storm. Lol That books coming. If there are parts to my story that needs research then Google is my friend. lol

When did you write your first book and how old were you?
I was about 11. My dad had been in a cab and was robbed and I wrote a story about a person breaking down late at night and a cab pulling up to help them. After writing it, it was cathartic for me but I also thought I might want to be a writer when I grew up. I got close with my first profession, I am a recovering lawyer. lol

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

 

Read, hike, box, yeah I go to the gym about 3 times a week, travel.

What does your family think of your writing?
Lol depends on who you ask and when you ask them. They’re proud.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
I have no trouble creating a book. My problem really is time. Time to be able to tell all the stories I need to write. But what I have found surprising is how much real work goes into the book after you type the end. Editing, bookcovers, marketing. Marketing. Marketing.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
32 not all are still available. My favorite to date. That’s a tough one. I also write under a pen name, Ursula Sinclair. I write romantic suspense and new adult. Under Ursula that would have to be The Ballerina & The Fighter, a new adult contemporary, but hard on those heels would be Shadow Wars Homebound a sci/fi romance that’s close to my heart. As LaVerne Thompson I write in multiple genres, but it would be Dragon’s Heart Story of the Brethren a fantasy romance.

Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Read books in the genre you want to write about. First read them for pleasure, then read them again and study them. Break them down into: what did you like about it, what drew you into the story, or turned you off and why. Then write. And then write some more. With each story finished your voice becomes stronger and your writing grows.

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Yes. I’m on social media a lot to keep in touch with my readers. And they say a lot of things. I get great feedback from them, the good, the bad, so far no ugly. Lol so that’s good. But the feedback from them thus far has always been positive. Even when they don’t necessarily agree with a direction I take. Most know a lot of my books have suspenseful moments sometimes cliffhangers, but they keep right on reading and for that I am forever grateful and thankful to them.

Do you like to create books for adults?

Yes. I’ve read YA books and I’ve thought about tackling that genre briefly but I can’t. The voice necessary for a YA vibe is just not mine. At least I don’t have characters that speak to me that way. The closest I can come is with Ursula’s new adult work.

What do you think makes a good story?
The characters. They are key whether you hate them or not is irrelevant, but the fact that you feel emotionally invested in the character is the point. One of my favorite stories is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte but I hated Cathy. But I became invested in the character and the events of her life that made up the storyline. Loved Heathcliff. Lol Then of course the plot line, but for me when the characters drive it I get more out of the story.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
Be a writer.

Thank you for having me here today. I enjoyed your interview.


Bio-
LaVerne Thompson is an award winning, best-selling, multi-published author, an avid reader and a writer of contemporary, fantasy, and sci/fi sensual romances. She also writes romantic suspense and new adult romance under the pen name Ursula Sinclair.

She is currently working on several projects. Both of her daughters are now away at college. However, she and her husband don’t like the term empty nester. She’s added a cat to the household to keep the dog of the house company. Hopefully, writing will keep her sane. Visit her website at http://lavernethompson.com to read excerpts of her books or Facebook to contact her, http://facebook.com/groups/lavernesnews or http://facebook.com/ursulasinclair98 and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lavernethompson  

Her latest-
Sea Witch- Children of the Waves #3
Blurb
 
What the hell do you mean I can't claim you?
 
Aaron is a Child of the Waves and he's searched for his bride for over a hundred years. Always seeking never finding. Then when he finally does, he’s got a choice: claim her and risk the destruction of his people, or let her go and risk the destruction of his soul.
 
Sienna has always known who her mate was, in fact, she took great pains to never cross his path. Until one day, she could avoid him no longer. As the witch of the sea, she had to warn him of the horror their world would face if she were to become his bride.
 
They each had a duty to perform, even at the sacrifice of the other. Sienna must pass through the dark depths to enter the very gates of Hades and Aaron must let her go.
 
***WARNING*** This is the 3rd book in the Children of the Wave Series. They must be read in order. The ending will have you going WHAT!!! There is a book 4 Coming Soon. Violence. Recommended for 18+
 


 




 So much to do so little time.

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