Interview With Author Laura Nelson
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a librarian by day, mom 24/7, and write whenever I can. I currently live in SoCal, but I’ve lived all over the US and traveled abroad when I was younger. I’ve always love to write and create massive story worlds, but for a long time I was told to have a practice job when I grow up. I wrote my first original story at 13 and made a promise to myself to one day publish something that I wrote. So since story telling and entrepreneurship runs deep into my soul, I’m doing what I can to keep that promise to 13 year old me.
As of right now, I have 6 novels and 6 novellas published. 11 of those are under my fantasy pen name and 1 is under another pen name as I grow my skills in the romance genre.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Heart of Lohikärra and it is the fifth and final book in my Norse fantasy series. It (and the entire series) is based off of a couple of things. First, my long time love of Skyrim and all things Elder Scrolls. Back in 2018, I binge-played Skyrim for the umpteenth time and had a dream about a girl getting transported into the real world version of her favorite video game. Second, I’ve always loved YA fantasy, but I also loved watching the characters as they moved into adulthood, so I wanted to write a series where my main characters’ story doesn’t just stop as soon as they hit new adult stuff.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Other than writing wherever and whenever I can? I have one habit that I enjoy, but I don’t know how unusual it is. Every Saturday morning, I have a ritual of getting golden milk and biscuits & gravy from my favorite coffee shop. I have my ‘spot’ in the corner of the shop and when all three of those align, I always seem to be more productive. Outside of that, I have to play one of those random phone games before I can start writing every morning. Don’t know why, but once I’m able to do that for a few minutes, the words seem to flow easier.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am an avid history fan, so series like the American Girl books and the Dear America series inspired some of my earliest stories. But I also loved the works of authors like Brian Jacques, Tamora Pierce, Madeleine L’Engle and others. More in the sci-fi realm, one of my favorite stories that still inspires me is Invitation to the Game by Monica Hughes. While I won’t spoil it, it has some portal fantasy elements that indirectly inspired my Norse fantasy series.
What are you working on now?
I’m still writing stories within my Norse fantasy world, however my main focus now is on another series that has been growing inside my head since 2009. It is a time-travel portal fantasy series with a different spin on the various pantheons of the ancient world. Think Outlander meets Doctor Who meet the Percy Jackson series. While my Norse fantasy is solidly young adult/new adult, this new series will be more new adult/adult level.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My website is: www.llnelsonauthor.com and I have links to all my stories on there. My novels (under the L. L. Nelson pen name) are all wide, so readers can find them on Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Apple, etc. They are also available for request from your local library.
As for my novellas (and the one fantasy romance story I’m working on), those are all on Kindle Vella right now, but I’m also slowly making them available on my new subscription site: www.reamstories.com/llnelsonauthor
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Above all else, don’t give up. Keep writing, keep studying the craft of storytelling, and understand that this is a long game effort – whether you’re indie published or traditionally published. I’ve been told to just write as a hobby (that I’d never be good enough), and I’ve been kicked out of writer’s groups because they didn’t think I was dedicated enough to the craft of writing. But all of this is what I’m passionate about. When I started publishing in 2021, I gave myself 8 years to make this a full-time gig (I’m only two years in) and even then, I know I’ll still keep writing. But yeah, don’t give up and don’t worry if it feels like it is taking forever.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A rising tide lifts all boats. It’s cheesy but it’s true. My writing in general and all the adjacent skills (formatting, publishing, marketing, etc) has significantly improved since I found my writing people. Both those who I meet with regularly and those I interact with at conferences and online. I’ve learned so much, but I’ve also been able to help others with my areas of expertise.
What are you reading now?
What am I not reading… I’m always reading something and outside of a few genres (like horror or anything dark and gritty), I read pretty much anything. I’m constantly reading craft books like The Anatomy of Genres by John Truby. But I’m also reading various fantasy and romance stories on serial sites (like Kindle Vella) and in ebook/paperback format. A couple recent titles that have stuck with me are ‘It Started with a Lie’ by Erica Laurie (Asian fantasy sweet RH romance with a nine tales fox and a dragon as the romantic interests) and ‘Goddess of the Broken’ by Jamie Dalton (Hunger Games meets The Bachelor in a Byzantine imperial fantasy setting).
What’s next for you as a writer?
Mainly working on my time travel portal fantasy series. My goal is to have the first book of that series released in December/January. I’m also working on a Kickstarter for some of my Norse fantasy side stories that I hope to launch in September.
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?
Oooh… that’s a hard one. Does it count that my phone case is a book? (Probably not). First off, I’d probably take one of my husband’s books: SAS Survival Handbook by John Wiseman. Then I’d find a book on ship sailing, because I’d eventually want to get off that island. Lastly, I’d grab a couple books on mythology to entertain me until I can get back to civilization.
Author Websites and Profiles
Laura Nelson Author Profile on Smashwords
Laura Nelson’s Social Media Links