Interview With Author Laurie Woodford
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written two books: a travel memoir, Unsettled, and a romantic comedy, Anita Farleigh Unpacks. Unsettled: a memoir was written as a labor of love during my MFA program. I was teaching college English and enrolled in a low residency MFA program through Queens University of Charlotte. I’d recently returned back home to the U.S. after teaching English in South Korea then ending up on a nomadic, global adventure, of sorts. My memoir began as a collection of personal essays about my experiences in Asia, Africa, South and Central America, and Europe and writing about those experiences helped me understand some of the emotions and motivations behind basically running away from home at midlife. After writing my memoir, I started getting excited about writing fiction again and had a couple of short stories published in literary journals then went on to writing my novel, Anita Farleigh Unpacks.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My romantic comedy, Anita Farleigh Unpacks, was inspired, to some degree, by my life experiences. While I am not Anita Farleigh, there are parallels between my romcom and my real-life story. In real life, I moved overseas for four years—first teaching college English in Asia then backpacking and volunteering in exchange for room and board in Ethiopia, Peru, and Fuerteventura—all the while searching for love. When I returned home to the U.S., I was still restless and this made my dating life rather complicated. Anita Farleigh teaches college English in Asia for weeks at a time which creates, to say the least, challenges in maintaining a romantic relationship. So, when Anita meets quirky, compassionate Oscar (a handsome medic who’s all homebody as heck), her coping mechanism of living with one foot out the door is thrown for a loop, which I can certainly relate to.
The main inspiration for writing my romcom, however, is my love of the subgenre. Romantic comedies come in all different styles, voices, spice-levels, and temperaments and I love writing laugh-out-loud, heart-tugging love stories.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I wake up in the middle of the night and my mind starts spinning about writing or book promotion (which happens frequently), I just get up and work. Many days I’m up at 3:00 a.m. working. That’s probably why I fall asleep at night by 9:30 p.m.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m a long-time fan of David Sedaris’s work. I love his sharp wit, humor and insights into the humnan condition. In my mind, he’s the master of the personal essay. When it comes to memoir, I admire the works of Mary Karr, Augusten Burroughs, and Tobias Wolff. For romcoms, I love the works of Mhairi McFarlane, Abby Jimenez, and Beth O’Leary.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on another romcom. I’m on the third draft and hope to be ready to start sending it out by around the end of February. The characters are funny and quirky, but the story is also a real heart-tugger. I love being in the throws of a writing project, especially once it’s past the first and second drafts, so it’s getting fun now.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m rather new to book promotion, but I really enjoy posting and engaging on Instagram. I love the bookish community on Instagram and it feels like a gentle/fun social media place to land. I also enjoy being on Goodreads and like to do author Q & A and a blog. And I like in-person events. I teach community writing classes, am involved with Writers’ League of Texas, and attend writing conferences.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read. A lot. And read in your genre, studying how the author is achieving solid characterization, setting description, pacing, story climax, etc. Carve out time to write consistently. I know this is different for every author, but I find a consistent, focused writing routine is essential for me to get work done. Find resources to help with craft, such as classes and workshops (in-person and/or online) and to find a writing community.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When I was a kid, my mother always told me to, “Go outside and play.” As an adult, I make a point of getting outdoors every day to play with my dog and to go for long walks. Fresh air is everything.
What are you reading now?
Loot by Tania James. She’s an amazing author.
What’s next for you as a writer?
To finish my new romcom and query and send it out to agents/publishers and I’d also like to write more short stories and personal essays. Then, on the promotion side of things, to gain newsletter subscribers and find fun/meaningful ways to engage with readers.
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 Complete Stories of Flannery O’Connor, Book of Psalms, and Happy-Go-Lucky by David Sedaris.
Author Websites and Profiles
Laurie Woodford Amazon Profile
Laurie Woodford’s Social Media Links
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