L.A. Witt interview and book giveaway!
Today my guest is Lori, aka L.A. Witt, aka Lauren Gallagher (for those who like smut of the het variety). We'll be giving away a book later, so stick around!
First off, would you like to introduce yourself somehow?
Hmm. Um. *clears throat* *waves* I'm Lori, and I'm an unrepentant erotica author. You may have seen me as L. A. Witt if M/M is your thing, Lauren Gallagher if you have a taste for hetero, and The Weaver if you watch America's Most Wanted.
Tell us a bit about your history as a writer? You now have….what? 300 titles available?
300? I wish. My 13th book just came out, and 14-21 are due out in the next few months. I've been writing since I could hold a pen upright, and finally got serious about it in November 2008. That was when I switched from fantasy to romance, too, though I do plan to write some SFF again at some point. Romance just ended up being my niche. I sold my first book in May 2009, and it's just kinda been madness since then.
What's the best thing about being a writer?
I have a 30 second commute, I wear my pajamas to work, I can have my cat on my desk while I work, I get to listen to my music, nobody bugs me, and I can take my work anywhere and everywhere…all of which is icing on the cake of the fact that I get to do what I've always wanted to do. I've been doing this full-time for almost two and a half years, and I love it.
What's the worst?
*thinks*
*taps fingers on desk*
*keeps thinking*
*ten minutes pass*
Nope, can't think of anything.
You've been living in Japan for almost three years. It seems like you've been somewhat isolated during that time. How has this helped or hindered your writing process?
I rather like being isolated. I'm a social recluse by nature, and being a million miles away from everyone, plus no longer working a day job, has let me cultivate that reclusiveness to hermit-like proportions. For me, solitude and writing go together like peanut butter and jelly (and I freaking love peanut butter and jelly, so that should tell you something).
What's your favorite food?
It varies, but I seem to have developed a serious addiction to Japanese curry. I didn't like curry before I came here, but now? OMG. Japanese curry is stronger in flavor but milder in spice than Indian, so I love it. There's a restaurant here that serves this awesome curry soup that cooks in a huge cauldron all day long. One of these days, I'm just going to ask them to sit me next to the cauldron with a spoon and leave me alone for an hour or two.
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Cold Stone Cake Batter with cookie dough mixed in. They couldn't make it more addictive if they mixed in some heroin and sprinkled crack on top.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee. Specifically espresso. I was born and raised in Seattle, so I'm a bona fide card-carrying shameless coffee snob.
Boxers or briefs?
They both look the same on the floor.
Name your three favorite books or series, or three favorite authors (your choice). (or you could do, the ones that influenced you the most, if that makes it easier)
Might be surprising from a romance author, but my three favorite books are:
Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov
The Stand, Stephen King
Rhapsody (books 1-3), Elizabeth Hayden (not crazy about the title character, but there's another main character who I FREAKING ADORE)
Name one irrational phobia you have.
Blue Chevy Astro vans. No, I don't know why. I really don't. My husband cracks up because if I get next to one on the freeway, I'll change lanes, and I won't park next to one. I don't know if I saw one used on a TV show for a kidnapping or what, but they make my skin crawl.
Where did you go for your all-time favorite vacation?
I'd have to say the three-week road trip I took around British Columbia, Alberta, with a jaunt down to Yellowstone before returning to Seattle.
Where would you go for your next vacation if money and time were no issue?
Komodo Island. That was where I was supposed to go this year for my 30th birthday, but our travel fund got cleaned out thanks to some asshat tenants in our house back in the States. Someday.
Whips or whipped cream?
Why not both?
If I came to your home and looked inside the refrigerator, what would I find?
Shameful amounts of Dr Pepper. As much as I try to eat healthy, it's my Achilles heel.
If you could solve one historical mystery or unsolved crime, which would it be?
I think I've been watching too much Ancient Aliens, because my mind immediately went to the various pyramids around the world and why they were built.
*****
I'd like to thank Lori for being my guest here today.
Lori's latest release is Getting Off the Ground.
After being stood up at the altar, compulsive over-planner Elliott Chandler decides to turn their honeymoon on Oahu into a vacation for one. Fate puts a hitch in his plans, however, when the airport is snowed in and his flight is delayed.
In the airport, the jilted groom catches the eye of another stranded traveler: the laidback and very sexy Derek Windsor. Derek breaks the ice and strikes up a conversation, and as the temperature drops outside, the heat between them rises. Pity they're both going to different islands, but if their flight doesn't leave soon, Mr. Calm-and-Cool may just tempt Mr. Play-It-Safe to do something reckless.
And that plane isn't going anywhere any time soon.
You can find Getting Off the Ground here. Lori will be giving away a book today. You can choose any title from her backlist (either as L.A. Witt, or as Lauren Gallagher). Leave a comment to enter.
