Ask the Author: Laura Smith
Answered Questions (10)
Laura Smith
I had a friend/pen pal from Germany growing up. She used to visit her aunt/my neighbor in the summer. I haven't seen her since I was 16. I'd like to find her, meet with her, and find out what she's up to.
Laura Smith
Hazel and Gus from "The Fault in Our Stars" came to mind first. I love how their illnesses cause them to transcend the "puppy love" mindset that older people adopt of most young characters in love. They're both smart kids. They complement each other well. They're wise beyond their years but are still trying to figure things out. They are so different but have had similar life experiences. They live in the present because it's all they have. They feel deeply, but they don't let it overtake them. They are the perfect duo.
Laura Smith
In my book "Saving Hascal's Horrors," I'd like to be stranded with my main character, Mike Hascal. He's only 10 years old, but he has an extensive knowledge of horror movies so we would have a lot to to talk about, he would make me brave by wanting to protect him from danger, and he has the ability to communicate telepathically with his older sister so a rescue wouldn't be far off. Thanks for the question!
Laura Smith
I never sleep. ha ha Actually, I do a lot of it at night and on weekends. Part of being an independent author is utilizing your writing time for networking. So, a lot of my writing gets pushed aside to keep up with everything.
I have a system down. I write my Facebook posts in advance and schedule them to post throughout the week. I also use a lot of shortcuts. My author page is linked to my Twitter so it kills two birds with one stone. I've started to use hashtags (#) in my posts so that they reach the right audience. I have a blog on Hubpages so when I post my interviews, I can post it onto my Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest automatically.
Once everything is posted on my social media, I update my website with that week's interviews. Every few months, I send out several requests for reviews, interviews, or guest blog posts on other authors' blogs or websites. I get a few responses back and try to keep my own work circulating throughout the writing world. Authors are willing to trade services. So, it helps to make friends in the writing world.
I write when I'm watching TV at night or take my computer outside and write on my back patio in the summer. On weeks, I'll write in the morning or whenever I have time. Every spare moment is spent with a notebook or a computer. In the past, I've had the time to write but no ideas. Now, I have the ideas but no time. So, I have to make the time, whether it's 15 minutes or four hours a day. I used to force myself to write something everyday, but that became a chore. So, I don't set guidelines anymore. It's not worth your time if your heart is not in it that day. If I'm on a roll, I'll stay up late. Some days, it's worth the lost sleep.
I have a system down. I write my Facebook posts in advance and schedule them to post throughout the week. I also use a lot of shortcuts. My author page is linked to my Twitter so it kills two birds with one stone. I've started to use hashtags (#) in my posts so that they reach the right audience. I have a blog on Hubpages so when I post my interviews, I can post it onto my Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest automatically.
Once everything is posted on my social media, I update my website with that week's interviews. Every few months, I send out several requests for reviews, interviews, or guest blog posts on other authors' blogs or websites. I get a few responses back and try to keep my own work circulating throughout the writing world. Authors are willing to trade services. So, it helps to make friends in the writing world.
I write when I'm watching TV at night or take my computer outside and write on my back patio in the summer. On weeks, I'll write in the morning or whenever I have time. Every spare moment is spent with a notebook or a computer. In the past, I've had the time to write but no ideas. Now, I have the ideas but no time. So, I have to make the time, whether it's 15 minutes or four hours a day. I used to force myself to write something everyday, but that became a chore. So, I don't set guidelines anymore. It's not worth your time if your heart is not in it that day. If I'm on a roll, I'll stay up late. Some days, it's worth the lost sleep.
Laura Smith
I don't get writer's block anymore, but I had it all the time when I was in school. Back then, I felt like I limited myself to one genre of writing. If you switch to another (journaling, blogging, etc.), you'll be able to get some writing done.
Laura Smith
Escaping into another world that you build from scratch.
Laura Smith
Take your time.
Don't look for overnight success.
Get your technique right.
Get a feel for the industry.
Do your research.
Find an editor.
Ask for advice.
Take criticism seriously but not personally.
Write what you want, not what you think people want to read about.
Don't look for overnight success.
Get your technique right.
Get a feel for the industry.
Do your research.
Find an editor.
Ask for advice.
Take criticism seriously but not personally.
Write what you want, not what you think people want to read about.
Laura Smith
I'm currently writing a book about a young girl who gets superpowers after her dad tries to invent a cure for her lost eyesight in one eye as the result of a chemical accident that occurred in his lab.
Laura Smith
I've been a writer for as long as I can remember. Before I learned to read, I constantly begged my parents to read to me. These stories made me want to write books of my own. I used to make copies of my favorite picture books on notebook paper, and it gave me a feel for writing until I started to come up with ideas on my own.
Laura Smith
One night, I was driving a friend home, and we passed the local playground where we had played as kids. She suggested that I write a book about the games we used to play at the park as kids. That inspired me to come up with the story for "The Castle Park Kids."
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more