Ask the Author: Lauren Greene
Answered Questions (7)
Lauren Greene
Eeva, thanks for asking. When I wrote "No Turning Back," I felt stuck in my past, and a lot of the writing of this novel was a cathartic exercise for me. I think a lot of women have experience with unrequited love, I know I did, and it was something I was trying to come to terms with through my writing. I drew on my experiences with that, as well as stories I'd heard from other people to come up with the idea. The accident incorporated within "No Turning Back," came from a vivid dream that resonated with me. It gave me background into Kaia's life, which helps to shape who she is and why she makes the decisions she does.
Lauren Greene
For "No Turning Back," the idea came from really a conglomeration of ideas. I had a dream about a car accident, and that dream became part of the story. I think unrequited love is a huge part of the story, and I've dealt with that personally, so I drew on my own experiences to a certain extent. I liked the idea of Kaia feeling lost and trying to find herself, because I felt like women everywhere would be able to relate to that experience. Sometimes life just seems to hit you, and that's what happens to Kaia. She has to struggle with demons from her past and present all at the same time.
Lauren Greene
Magic. Honestly, I have no idea where my "muse" comes from. I've been writing since I was seven. It's what I love to do. I find inspiration in dreams I've had, objects I see around town, and funny conversations I have with people. I got the idea for "Little Birdhouses," after seeing birdhouses on sticks in someone's yard. Inspiration is a funny little thing.
Lauren Greene
Right now, I'm working on a thriller called "Little Birdhouses." In the story, Lana and her family move from Boston to a small town in Alabama called Alma. She meets and falls in love with Gideon, a small town theft with a following. Gideon's charisma fools a lot of people, including Lana, who can't see him for what he really is: a sociopath. I'm still working out the ending, but I'm about halfway done with the novel at this point.
Lauren Greene
My advice would be to set goals and stick to them. Writers get better by writing. Also, read books about writing. Stephen King's "On Writing," is a wonderful, inspirational book about writing. Every writer should read it. Write every single day, even if you don't want to.
Lauren Greene
Writing! No, seriously, I love to write. The best thing about being a writer is doing something I love every single day.
Lauren Greene
Mostly, I don't get writer's block. I have a routine where I write every day from 5:15 AM to 6:30 AM. If I'm having trouble with a scene, then I simply put the work away and work on something else. This helps me get past any sort of hang ups I might be having.
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