Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Laney! Hi! I have written several different works. I’m the author of the Lock Creek: Time Capsule Series, which currently has four books, with a fifth slated for release by the end of 2015. I’ve also participated in a couple of anthologies, one of those being “The Roses.” That anthology was a charity work, designed to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis. It’s funny to me that I ended up writing. I’ve never been what I felt like an “author” is. I am trying to teach myself to drink coffee without looking like a walking tremor. I would go to the library and hang out, but I’m pretty sure the quiet would drive me insane and I’d end up getting kicked out. I’m a million miles a minute, more than not. So, I never thought I would ever be an “author.” But, I have always loved writing. I’ve just never been able to finish a book, prior to Lock Creek: One Year’s Time. Now, I’m addicted and I can’t stop. I have four books coming in the near future. I’ve also started another project, writing under a different name. I just can’t stop myself. I have a lot of support behind me and every bit of it encourages me. I do what I do to entertain others. When I hit my mark, I think, “Ok! That worked. I can do this again!” I just think of myself as being so far from what you would envision an author to be. I’m nuts!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Wow! I actually have so many going at the moment. Um, I’ve been working on a horror novel for my son. He wanted to read a book that was on the same level as the movie, “The Ring,” or “The Exorcism of Emily Rose.” He was disappointed when he couldn’t find books that gave him that same feeling. So, I thought about it and I decided I could try this. This book is due out by Halloween 2015 and I’m still struggling to pin down a title. It’s had a billion different titles. But, if you stick with me, I’ll be happy to keep you posted when the title is finalized.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes! …
I sit down to write and I become like a two year old at bedtime. I’m going to write, after I get a drink. Then, I’m going to write, after I find a snack. I remember that I have needed to run an errand for six months – and it’s suddenly crucial that I do it this second. Then, I sit down to write and if a song inspired a story line or a scene, I have to put the song on repeat and I listen to it over and over until the scene is written. Sometimes, it’s a brief time. Sometimes, it’s days – weeks, even months. I’m afraid if I don’t hear that song, I’m going to lose whatever it inspired. So, I think that’s a little weird. But, when songs change, it distracts me. For some reason, the same song on repeat doesn’t do that. I have to use earbuds because, apparently, my family members are not getting the same benefit from the songs being on repeat as I am. No fun letter havers!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are tons, honestly. I love Nicholas Sparks. And, then, when Stephen King is dishing out words of wisdom, I hang on his every word. I love what he does. I also like the classic books like “Old Yeller” and “Where The Red Fern Grows.” I just want to “feel.” So, I try to consider what it takes to make me feel and I try to bring those elements into my own writing. I want to make people “feel.”
What are you working on now?
As I mentioned before, I have so many projects at the moment. I’m supposed to be writing a short story for a Christmas anthology. I have a lot of editing to do to make that “short.” There’s the horror novel due by Halloween. I have the fifth Lock Creek book before the end of the year. There’s a murder mystery book, “What He’s Done,” coming after the first of the year, sometime. I have so many projects that I’ve started. My mind never stops cranking out “great ideas.” It’s exhausting, I’m not gonna lie. But, I love it so much!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have no idea, really. I’ve yet to figure that out. I know it is something that must be done. It’s not my strength. I’d rather write some crazy story than to learn about marketing dos and don’ts. Thankfully, there are a lot of people that support me and they help a lot. The bottom line is if I’ve done my job, once it reaches a certain point, it should market itself. It’s just a matter of getting it to that point. But, it grows every day. So, whatever combination of things are that get done, it seems to help. So, if it helps, I/we do it. If not, we don’t. You do what works.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write like no one will ever read it. Remember, you can always edit it later. But, then, when it’s time to edit, be bold and leave it! You have to take a risk, as difficult as it is to put yourself out there. Don’t talk yourself out of the “crazy” stuff. I see with my own work, the very things I questioned are the things people love the most. It’s ok to be scared. But, take that chance anyway. The things you question just might be what makes you great. Just go for it! You’ll be glad you did.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
For as long as I can remember, my dad has told me to “go watch the grass grow.” That used to drive me nuts. In my teen years, I’d be rambling a million miles a minute over my typical teen drama-type things. I would be convinced the end was near, because you believe that when you’re a teenager and a friend gets mad at you or whatever. My dad would just sit there with a blank face and finally, he’d say, “Go watch the grass grow.” I would be looking for him to tell me what to do to fix my situation. And he tells me to go watch the grass grow. I would go from rattling a million miles a minute to…stupefied, trying to figure out how the hell watching grass grow was going to help me. It took me a long time to understand and appreciate what he means by that. To this day, he still tells me that. Now, we both laugh when he says it. But, if you just go and sit it out, give yourself a little time to unwind, those swirling, chaotic thoughts in your head have a way of settling. Then, you realize you were making it bigger than it had to be.
What are you reading now?
Nothing at the moment. I get a lot of requests to read/review/edit others’ work. I used to set Sundays aside for that stuff. I usually read the entire day and I typically finish a book the same day. So, I don’t really have them sitting around. If I step away from a book, I’m really bad about getting back to it. Maybe I need to start another book this Sunday. The last thing I read was a short story for Terry R. Hill. That was a great read. Does that count?
What’s next for you as a writer?
I wish I knew. No, actually, that’s not true. I like the adventure. This has been so much fun. If I never had anyone read another word that I’ve written, I’ve already gotten so much further than I ever expected. Every moment, at this point is a bonus. It’s beautiful how it blossoms and each little milestone makes me want the next milestone. As long as I can have fun, I’m going to do this. This is great! But, in my big, grand vision, I want to see Lock Creek on a screen of some sort. It’s going to happen. I can’t tell you how I know that. But, I just feel it. This has felt like destiny every step of the way. There are enough people that tell me they want to see it. The more people that come to Lock Creek will be that many more that want to see it. I know it will happen. I just don’t know when or how, yet.
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?
Uh oh! I would take Gone With The Wind, because I’ve never read that one. I’m embarrassed to admit that, but I’m honest. Then, I would take “The Notebook.” I would probably have to take some true crime book, because I like the Psychology side of those books. Then, I would have to take a funny/comedy. Then, there’s a variety.
Author Websites and Profiles
Laney Smith Website
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