Ask the Author: Laralyn Doran
Answered Questions (6)
Laralyn Doran
In my defense, it was a hot day at the beach and I was nervous to be spending it with Trevor, so I may have over-indulged in the cold alcoholic beverages. Horror races across Trevor's face as he stares between the empty Big Gulp cup in his 70k sports car and the bridge traffic we are stuck in, while I yell, "Yes, I'm going to pee in this cup!"
Laralyn Doran
Don't be in a rush to write your 100k word bestseller. Take time to find your voice and don't try to imitate someone else's--it won't work. Voice is what is what people will know you by. Its part of your brand. An editor once told me she remembered a book I wrote, not because it was a great book (it wasn't), but because of my voice. That sometimes comes with time and experience.
Laralyn Doran
I step away--completely. I listen to books outside my genre (I'm a massive audiobook junkie). I drive and do errands in silence and by myself--doing mundane tasks is when my brain has time to relax and wander. I make time to binge watch TV or movies. If I'm blocked its because I'm stressed and I'm overthinking. I clean the house and organize my life. I have to step away and not allow myself to think about the book until I literally forget about where I was. I may jot down ideas, but I don't write. If I go back too early I will freeze up again. I'm not someone who can write everyday. I write in large spurts. If I force it--I freeze.
Laralyn Doran
disappearing from life. Also, speaking with someone else's voice--I love taking on the persona of another character which is why I love to write in 1st person so much. I literally lose myself in the dialogue and don't realize what I said until its on paper.
Laralyn Doran
I'm currently working on Book 2 in the Driven Series--Harper's story. ;-)
Laralyn Doran
Usually something sparks my interest, and then a question emerges. With this book, I was reading an interview of a young woman NASCAR driver--she was 15 or 16 years old and was labeled one of the young driver's to watch. I was impressed with her and how much she'd accomplished in such a short time when most girls were just getting their learners permits. How hard it must be to be a young woman in such a male-dominated industry. A sixteen-year-old girl surrounded by young men--and beating them in a race car! How do those conversations go in the garage? How about trying to find the balance of not getting lost in being the "tough girl" always trying to prove you were just as "ballsy" as the boys? And that was the birth of CJ--Charlotte Jean.
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