Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve just published “VisionSight: a Novel,” which is my third book. It’s the story of a young woman who suddenly inherits the ability to see the future when she looks into her loved ones’ eyes. But she quickly decides it’s a curse because she can’t figure out how to keep bad things from happening to the people she cares about. My second book came out this summer. “The Time Telephone” is a Young Adult novel about a 17 year old girl trying to save her mother’s life by calling her in the past. And my first book, “The Shade Ring,” was published this spring. It’s set about a hundred years in the future – Sci-fi, Action/Adventure and Romantic Suspense, all rolled into one.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The idea for “VisionSight: a Novel” came to me one night at my son’s high school soccer game. I came up with the idea for a character who could see the future as I watched a group of high school kids in front of me, I wondered what they would look like in thirty or forty years. I imagined each one of them in middle age and then wondered how they would act if they, themselves, could see what the future would bring.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think I have unusual writing habits. I do think of ideas for my writing at odd times so I keep little notebooks in my purse, in various rooms around the house and in my car.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I admire quite a few authors and enjoy reading a variety of books and writers. Among the authors I’ve read this year: Rainbow Rowell, Barbara Kingsolver, Jojo Moyes, Hugh Howey, Lynn Cullen and M. R. Carey. Of course, the authors of my youth are always with me: Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte and Charles Dickens and others.
What are you working on now?
I’ve begun working on a sequel to my science fiction novel, “The Shade Ring.” I’m planning a trilogy. The second book will be published next year and hopefully, the third book will be out by spring of 2017. “The Shade Ring” is climate fiction – set about 100 years in the future when oceans have risen 15 feet and the world is a hotter place. The main character is a young woman who’s forced into science by her father and then falls in love with a clone.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve promoted my books on a few websites. I had pretty good results on Free Kindle Books & Tips and Bargain Booksy. I don’t have a big budget to work with though.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would urge new authors who are self-publishing to polish their writing and then polish some more; get reliable feedback from people with good editing skills; and use spellcheck. I’ve also gotten valuable feedback from other writers through Goodreads. One bit of advice I might’ve benefited from is to write in one genre, if possible. It makes it easier to promote your books, I think.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
An editor at the Atlanta Writer’s Conference was asked a question a couple of years ago that prompted an eye-opening response. She was asked “what are the biggest problems you see in your slush pile?” The editor replied: “slow beginnings, rushed endings and uninteresting middles.” So I’ve tried to step up my game.
What are you reading now?
I’ve just picked up “Vanessa and Her Sister” by Priya Parmar.
What’s next for you as a writer?
When I finish my sci-fi trilogy I have a historical novel I wrote that I want to revise. It’s set in the 1960s. I have some interesting ideas about how to make it pop.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Gosh, that’s a tough question. Something by Rainbow Rowell, just because she’s so clever. Something by Lily King because I loved her book, “Euphoria.” And maybe a John Green novel. He’s a clever writer. I think I like “An Abundance of Katherines” best so far.
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Connie Lacy Website
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