Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a freelance writer and I’ve written and published 3 teen fantasy novels, and I’m just finishing the 6th book in the series. I’ve also done some script writing as well as writing for educational resources such as Minecraft School. Aside from writing, I enjoy creating digital artwork and exploring; some of my adventures include skydiving, climbing Mayan Ruins, caving and scuba diving.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Into the Valley is the third book in the Essence of Galenia series and came out in the fall of 2015. Even though it is book three it is one story – when I started writing I didn’t realize it would take three books to get it all down! My inspiration was around the main character Hanna. She evolved from the idea ‘if I was 14 but had all the knowledge and experience as if I was older, how would life had turned out’. It really grew from there. There were general ideas I had when I began: I wanted to create a believable protagonist, a hero who chose their path rather than it being prophesied, and I wanted to follow both their journey’s. The main theme is choice.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I gave up watching t.v. so I could write at night. The next day I would edit my work and then read my chapter to my two kids who demanded me to read the next one – which I hadn’t written yet. They were great motivators to keep writing chapter after chapter!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Raymond E. Feist Magician series really brought out the love of reading in me. I was a very hesitant reader and after high school I just didn’t pick up the books. Once I read Magician that changed. I’ve read every book in that series (30 some books) and many other books since I read that first one. I read across the genre’s but fantasy is where my writing creativity takes me. When I discovered John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice series I had already written my first two books. I his stories and found we had a similar writing style. His books are more about character and overcoming personal challenges than battles and wars (although there are a number of those in his books, but like mine, the action isn’t the driving force).
What are you working on now?
I’m currently on the second trilogy of the Essence series. The characters are a bit older (18+) so the story is a bit gritter and touches on some more mature subject matter. I’m finding the sixth book the hardest to write as some of the characters that I love go to dark places – I’ve become so attached to them it hurts to corrupt them lol.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve really enjoyed writing my blog and the fact that I can link it to goodreads, facebook and twitter is a great way to use the multiple platforms. In this way I find they all work together to promote my work.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
It took me a long time to put myself out there. I really didn’t like the idea of my name and face discoverable by the world – but this is pretty much a necessity if you want to successfully promote your work.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
What I’ve learned from speaking with many authors and from my own experience is this: Find something positive to focus on. Writing is a profession full of disappointment, rejection and can be very lonely. Celebrate your small victories.
What are you reading now?
Daughter of Shadow by Tyler Sehn. As far as the style, this book has a Game of Thrones feeling about it. It is well written; I love Tyler’s descriptions and metaphors.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m involved with GamEd Academy working on curriculum for their Minecraft school. I also plan to do workshops in schools as well as speaking engagements.
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?
The Lord of the Rings – it is a heavy read with lots of world building, languages and history. This is a book I could read and get something different from each time I read it.
Journey to Kokoroe – yes, it’s my own book and I’ve read it lots, but that’s the thing – I don’t get tired of it. Of course if I was stuck on an island I would be making notes in the columns about what I could add, improve or do in the tenth installment lol. But besides that, the characters have become family to me so I’d be happy to have them along.
Magician – it was the book that captured my reading interest and why I even got started writing. I would read it again and again for all the warm fuzzy memories the story invokes for me.
The Art of War – I love history and this book is full of it. Many events can be tied back to this piece of work. I’ve never read it. I don’t know if I ever will thanks to the internet and documentaries, but if I couldn’t access this knowledge via computer I would read this book, study it, and learn from it.
Four seems a very short list…
Author Websites and Profiles
Laura L. Comfort Website
Laura L. Comfort Amazon Profile
Laura L. Comfort Author Profile on Smashwords
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