Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written. Hi there, thanks for having me here today,. My name is Laura Iding and I’ve written almost 40 books, mostly for Harlequin under a few names, although I have recently published a few indie books as well. I’m a critical care nurse by day and an author by night. I love writing and reading romantic suspense. My hubby and I are celebrating 30 years together and we make our home in Milwaukee Wisconsin.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it? My book is Target For Terror written under L. A. Iding and it’s a fast paced romantic suspense dealing with the Russian mafia and a potential terrorist attack on the US. The story mostly takes place in Washington DC, one of my favorite cities. The heroine of this story is a critical care nurse and her patient tells her he knows who shot him. This exact same scenario happened several times in our ICU since we’re a level one trauma center we get all the gunshot wounds, stabbings and car/motorcycle crashes. I used this scenario as a way to open this story, although certainly Natalia gets into far more trouble than I ever did.
Do you have any unusual writing habits? Hmm, not that I’m aware of (she says with a grin)! Since I still work a full time job, I have to be very disciplined with my writing and I always try to write at least 30 pages per week. Sometimes it’s more if the story is humming along, other times not so much. But I do treat my writing as a part time job and force myself to write even when I don’t want to. Having deadlines to meet makes it easier for me to keep on track. My day job is always interesting and I often get ideas from real life incidents in the hospital.
What authors, or books have influenced you? I loved Suzanne Brockmann’s earlier books where she had a secondary story line that intersected with the main story line and that was the influence for my new release, Target For Terror. I also love Laura Griffin’s suspense books, she really knows how to tell a great story. Other favorite authors are Kay Hooper, and J. D. Robb.
What are you working on now? I’m working on a three book contract for Harlequin but at the same time, I’m also working on Jordan’s story, Target For Blackmail which is the next book in my Security Specialists, Inc. Series. I have a rough idea for the third book as well, Target For Revenge. I have so many ideas that I want to write about, it’s just a matter of time and money. Right now, Harlequin is paying more than my indie books, but I’m hoping that will change at some point.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books? I am the worst promoter on the planet, I would much rather be writing the next story. I do have a website, www.lauraiding.com, but it needs to be updated. I am on Facebook but my best advertising is word of mouth and I often hear from my readers who claim to love my stories.
Do you have any advice for new authors? My advice is that success is 85% determination and 15% talent. I believe that successful authors don’t give up and keep writing and perfecting their craft. I hear lots of people say, “oh I’ve always wanted to write a book” and my response is “Why haven’t you?” There isn’t ever a good reason. Everyone has family issues, job responsibilities and other commitments but if that stops you, then you haven’t made writing a priority. So plop your butt in a chair, power up your computer and get writing!
What is the best advice you have ever heard? See above, LOL. Seriously, I have always written stories from the time I was a kid, so for me it was all about being determined to learn my craft and to get my books out there. It is so much easier now than it was ten years ago when I first became published. Authors have so many options to get their work out to readers and many are hugely successful. The only thing stopping you is yourself. What are you reading now? I am currently reading Far Gone by Laura Griffin. I really enjoy her books. I love to read, but I also need to do a lot of writing so finding the balance is difficult! What’s next for you as a writer? I hope to keep on writing the Security Specialists, Inc. series. In the meantime I will continue to write for Harlequin as well to help pay the bills for conferences, etc. Maybe one day I’ll be able to retire from the hospital (since I’ve already been there for 32 years) and write full time. That’s my dream and my goal!
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? I hate this question, because I’d much rather bring three blank notebooks with me so I could write! But okay, I would take a Laura Griffin book, probably the first one in her Tracer’s series and probably the first book in the J. D. Robb series and probably Kay Hooper’s first Bishop series book. But just know that I’d probably be writing my own stories in between the lines of these books.
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