Ask the Author: Laura Roberts
Answered Questions (12)
Laura Roberts
I actually stumbled upon a mystery, in my childhood, that I never quite resolved, and which I think might make for a good book. Oddly enough, the older I get, the more convinced I am that this "mystery" was actually something I read in a book, and not something that actually happened to me, so I think incorporating that element of "was this real, or was it fiction?" would give it an interesting spin.
Laura Roberts
This is such a good question, but it's so hard to answer! Ultimately, the fictional world that seems the most exciting is that of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. After all, you've got a whole galaxy to play in. Unfortunately, Earth is... um... well, if you haven't read the books or seen the movie (or listened to the radio play), I won't spoil it for you, but let's just say there's a bit of a mishap and that old chestnut "you can never go home again" is pretty apt.
As to what I might do in this fictional world (or galaxy), I would stick out my thumb, hitch a ride, and let the Guide give me advice on where to go next. Maybe I could even write a few new entries for them? I suppose it depends on whether they pay in Pan-Galactic Gargle Blasters or cash money. No matter where I end up, I've got my towel in hand, and I'm ready to go!
As to what I might do in this fictional world (or galaxy), I would stick out my thumb, hitch a ride, and let the Guide give me advice on where to go next. Maybe I could even write a few new entries for them? I suppose it depends on whether they pay in Pan-Galactic Gargle Blasters or cash money. No matter where I end up, I've got my towel in hand, and I'm ready to go!
Laura Roberts
This summer I'm reading a lot of romance, books by some of the authors I've discovered on social media, and a couple of classics. Here's a quick list:
1. The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
2. The Kiss Quotient also by Helen Hoang (I read them out of order, in terms of the series, but I loved them both)
3. Key of Light by Nora Roberts (the start of another series, and I'm normally not the series type)
4. Don Quixote (a friend and I made a pact to read a book using the chapter-a-day method last year, and I still need to dig into this one)
5. The Hotel Where We Met by Belinda Jones (a time-travel rom-com, set in the Hotel Del Coronado)
6. The Clue of the Broken Locket by Carolyn Keene (I joined a cozy mystery reading group, and they mentioned a new Nancy Drew TV series that starts in October, so I wanted to re-read one of the classics in anticipation of that)
7. The Two Lila Bennetts by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke (I've been following this author team for a while now, since they remind me of writing stories with my childhood BFF, and their newest book sounds much more suspense filled than some of their previous books)
8. The Years by Annie Ernaux (a French modern classic, in English translation)
9. Misadventures on the Night Shift by Lauren Rowe (definitely a more adult romance, from a series by indie publisher Waterhouse Press)
10. Dating By the Book by Mary Ann Marlowe (a romance featuring a book club full of eligible bachelors)
I hope you're enjoying your summer reading!
1. The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
2. The Kiss Quotient also by Helen Hoang (I read them out of order, in terms of the series, but I loved them both)
3. Key of Light by Nora Roberts (the start of another series, and I'm normally not the series type)
4. Don Quixote (a friend and I made a pact to read a book using the chapter-a-day method last year, and I still need to dig into this one)
5. The Hotel Where We Met by Belinda Jones (a time-travel rom-com, set in the Hotel Del Coronado)
6. The Clue of the Broken Locket by Carolyn Keene (I joined a cozy mystery reading group, and they mentioned a new Nancy Drew TV series that starts in October, so I wanted to re-read one of the classics in anticipation of that)
7. The Two Lila Bennetts by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke (I've been following this author team for a while now, since they remind me of writing stories with my childhood BFF, and their newest book sounds much more suspense filled than some of their previous books)
8. The Years by Annie Ernaux (a French modern classic, in English translation)
9. Misadventures on the Night Shift by Lauren Rowe (definitely a more adult romance, from a series by indie publisher Waterhouse Press)
10. Dating By the Book by Mary Ann Marlowe (a romance featuring a book club full of eligible bachelors)
I hope you're enjoying your summer reading!
Laura Roberts
All books are political, because the personal is political. This is not a question of "left vs. right," but a simple fact. All of your favorite authors have written something political, I'm sure. And if you don't believe this to be true, then I would highly recommend adding more classic works to your literary diet. I'd suggest Fahrenheit 451, Brave New World, 1984, Animal Farm, The Handmaid's Tale, anything by Charles Dickens, and The Hunger Games to start. Let me know if you need any additional suggestions for your reading list!
Laura Roberts
He was warned, he was given an explanation. Nevertheless, he persisted.
Laura Roberts
Interestingly enough, my best-selling book is a nonfictional work called "Confessions of a 3-Day Novelist: How to Write an Entire Book in Just 72 Hours." It's a short book about my participation in the 2011 3-Day Novel Contest, and gives readers some insight into my writing process, as well as tips for writing your own book in 3 days
I would define best-selling for myself as "the book that is making me the most money on a daily basis." I usually sell at least 1 copy of this book every day, whereas most of my other books (which, btw, are mostly fiction) experience only sporadic sales. That doesn't sound quite as exciting as being a "New York Times Bestselling Author," but honestly, I prefer to see the regular sales coming in. I'll leave the bestseller lists to those who actively seek that out, and just keep on writing new books instead!
I would define best-selling for myself as "the book that is making me the most money on a daily basis." I usually sell at least 1 copy of this book every day, whereas most of my other books (which, btw, are mostly fiction) experience only sporadic sales. That doesn't sound quite as exciting as being a "New York Times Bestselling Author," but honestly, I prefer to see the regular sales coming in. I'll leave the bestseller lists to those who actively seek that out, and just keep on writing new books instead!
Laura Roberts
Lots of things inspire me to write, from a story I read online to a funny thing my husband said to memories from the past to song lyrics that strike me. The real question is, how do you find the time to write about everything that inspires you?
Laura Roberts
Write! Write all the time. Experiment with different kinds of writing: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays, screenplays, stage plays. Write from different perspectives than your own. Write from different POVs. Write what you feel. Write what you want. Write what you need. Write your visions of the future. Just write, always. And carry a notebook for when those random inspirations strike. But keep writing -- and eventually, publish!
Laura Roberts
Having written. And being published!
Laura Roberts
Usually I will just switch to working on something else. Or take a break. I play a lot of ridiculous iPad games like Hay Day or Spite and Malice in order to take my mind off of writing. Or I might watch a favorite movie, like The Princess Bride, to see how the pros do it, which usually gives me an idea for how to handle my own blocks.
Laura Roberts
During NaNoWriMo I'm working on a NaNoWriMo writing guide called "A Cheater's Guide to NaNoWriMo." It's part novelist memoir, and part writing tips. You can read it as I write it over at http://cheatersguidetonanowrimo.wordp....
Laura Roberts
In 2011 I participated in the 3-Day Novel Contest. In order to make sure I managed to finish my book in three days, I did a lot of research on writing quickly, and developed a strategy. At the end of the contest, I had successfully completed my first novel, Ninjas of the 512, and had a proven method for finishing work in a short period of time. Eventually, after reading lots of other "how to write" books, I realized I should write one about my own experiences! And thus, Confessions of a 3-Day Novelist was born.
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