Interview With Author LaToya Lawrence
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written and published seventeen books altogether.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest title was published this past March. The book was inspired by a series that I created called The Tantalizing Tales Collection: Toya’s Titles of Terror, Treachery, And Suspense Shorties.
Volumes one, two, and three are out for sale- Father Forgive Me, Secret Admirer, and The Demons. I will eventually be working on the fourth book and last installment of the series before I start a new series featuring unique suspense, thrillers that involve detectives.
My novel was inspired by the energy within me that manifests to inspire an array of creative vision that I continuously put forward.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Once I get started I cannot stop. My books write themselves through me. I do not even know how the stories are going to completely play out. It is an exciting gift where I am taken on a journey into imagination which keeps me in anticipation as I venture and create.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am not influenced by anyone when it comes to my own writing. I naturally go into my own zone. The spirit within me stimulates and initiates me into action. I like to stay true to myself and go with my own flow of things. Though I have read books that I enjoyed, I appreciate the talents of others and find their works inspirational as a writer in that it motivates and encourages the beauty of what we all share and the distinction of what we bring forth in our stories to further incite the passion that we have for our craft. I never compare myself to others or view other writers as competition. I see us all as achievers reaching for our goals and holding up the torch as collaborators in a field that we love.
What are you working on now?
Currently I am working on a murder mystery that plays out like a classic modern-day noir.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have a very successful personal blog/website that I have had published for sixteen years. However, I just started a new Facebook page dedicated to my novels while I am in the motion to start up a new separate website soley dedicated to my books and upcoming publications.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up. Believe in yourself no matter what. Never let anyone or anything discourage you in what you set out to do. If someone does not like or approve of your work that does not mean your work is not good or that you are not good enough. Do not fear criticism and do not try to conform to what you do not align with. Just be who you are and bring something fresh and new to the table even if it does not fit in with what is usual.
Everyone has there own way of thinking but for me my validation does not come from others. If I wrote something I was not satisfied with yet everyone else liked it I would be unhappy.
If I wrote something I liked and no one else liked it I would still be happy because I am content with what I accomplished.
So if we love our work and certain others happen to like it too then that is nice. Of course, writers who market become financially successful through others fond of their books and works, but true success means different things to different people and true fulfillment and success is not based on how many sales one makes.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I cannot think of anything that particularly stands out right now.
What are you reading now?
I am not reading anything right now. I am busy writing new books and working during the week at my job.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Plenty of things. I have a lot of new projects in the works.
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?
If I knew I were going to be stranded on a desert island I would stop the event from occurring by avoiding the situation. If the incident happened beyond my control and I had no books to bring along I would text or call on my cellphone for help if lucky enough to receive a service signal in the area.
LaToya Lawrence’s Social Media Links
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