About Lauren Linwood:
Lauren Linwood’s historical romances use history as a backdrop to place her characters in extraordinary circumstances, where their intense desire for one another grows into the treasured gift of love. Her romantic suspense novels feature strong heroes and heroines who unite to defeat a clever antagonist and discover a deep, abiding love during their journey.
A native Texan, Lauren is an avid reader, moviegoer, and sports fan who manages stress by alternating yoga with long walks. She plans to start a support group for Fixer Upper addicts—as soon as she finishes her next piece of dark chocolate.
What inspires you to write?
Everything around me is fodder for the writing mill. Lyrics to a song on the radio. Passing an interesting person in the mall. Reading an article online or in the newspaper. A dream. Conversations with friends and family. Sometimes it’s the smallest incident that will spark the biggest plot!
Tell us about your writing process.
I start with selecting the character’s name first. With a name comes personality and his/her strengths and weaknesses. After I know my people, then I tackle broad ideas–situations to place them in, the setting, the era. Once that’s accomplished, I can nail down plot points.
Once I have major points outlined, I can begin writing. I like having big ideas mapped out, but I do a little pants-ing and let the characters veer off-course if they feel the need to do so.
I love yellow legal tablets. There’s just something about getting the beginnings down in my own hand before switching to the computer that’s simply magical.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I’ve learned to listen to my characters. They’re usually right (and will loudly proclaim that to me if I try to ignore them). I allow them to get off my interstate highway map of plans and take a few back roads when they wish. Sometimes, I’m just along for the ride. It’s funny how they can wind up in charge and surprise me.
What advice would you give other writers?
Write. Every. Day. I can’t stress that enough. You will be more productive and use your time more wisely if you do so.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
E-publishing opened the doors to so many writers because these houses weren’t bound by the typical constraints of a large New York publishing house. I met my first editor at a conference I attended and pitched her a manuscript. She bought it two weeks later. Bringing the book to release was a much quicker process with an e-pub house, and they followed up with paperback soon after.
I stayed with that house for 3 years, publishing 9 standalone novels. Then after careful research, I plunged into the indie publishing waters with my 1st series, The Knights of Valor.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
Books will always be released in some format, whether electronic, paper, or audio. People have a hunger for reading. They may enjoy holding a physical book in hand, reading from an e-device, or listening in the car as the commute to work. I think we’ll see more of a balance of these various formats.
What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer
What genres do you write?: Historical Romance, Romantic Suspense, and Contemporary Romance
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Lauren Linwood Home Page Link
Link To Lauren Linwood Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on other site
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
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