Ask the Author: Laurel A. Rockefeller
Answered Questions (7)
Laurel A. Rockefeller
To be completely honest, after looking at your book, it's not something that looks interesting to me. I rarely read conventional books -- I have significant sight loss. Usually when I read it's either audio (and I have to really like the narrator's voice; I am SO FORTUNATE to have Richard Mann of Future Legend Media in Bedfordshire narrating for me) or it's short, non-fiction works. The last book I listened to that was none mine for editorial was actually "The Pluto Files" by Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson. And that book had several flaws in it with regards to audio. I've been a fan of Dr. deGrasse Tyson for YEARS too!
So I'm sorry, but I don't think I am able to be of help to you.
So I'm sorry, but I don't think I am able to be of help to you.
Laurel A. Rockefeller
Research research research is part two to practice practice practice. Seriously, learn everything you can. If you want people to believe your stories, find your settings and characters credible then you really must ground what you write in facts. People will suspend their disbelief -- but only to a point.
Something I am notorious for doing is consulting experts so I get my facts right. For example, when one of my characters is publicly murdered by crossbow, I consulted with an ER doctor to find out exactly where the quarrel should hit him so he dies quickly but is able to say a few final words. On something like that, millimeters matter.
Ask questions. Do not assume you know it all or can get away with anything. The more accurate your details, the better the book.
Something I am notorious for doing is consulting experts so I get my facts right. For example, when one of my characters is publicly murdered by crossbow, I consulted with an ER doctor to find out exactly where the quarrel should hit him so he dies quickly but is able to say a few final words. On something like that, millimeters matter.
Ask questions. Do not assume you know it all or can get away with anything. The more accurate your details, the better the book.
Laurel A. Rockefeller
The best thing about being a writer is the creative collaborative opportunities it affords.
I am ambiverted -- meaning that sometimes I am very extroverted and love being around people and sometimes I am a shy introvert. Being a writer is the perfect profession for a creative ambivert. The work itself tends to require a lot of solitude so you can think, but being around people drives that creative energy, expanding your horizons and inspiring you to do your best work.
I will say that the most pleasurable part of my journey in 2014 was meeting voice artist Richard Mann through ACX. Mr. Mann narrates my books. It's been a fantastic creative collaboration that really is magical. When you find someone like that who inspires you and with whom you really love working, it makes all the challenging parts of the work so worthwhile.
I am ambiverted -- meaning that sometimes I am very extroverted and love being around people and sometimes I am a shy introvert. Being a writer is the perfect profession for a creative ambivert. The work itself tends to require a lot of solitude so you can think, but being around people drives that creative energy, expanding your horizons and inspiring you to do your best work.
I will say that the most pleasurable part of my journey in 2014 was meeting voice artist Richard Mann through ACX. Mr. Mann narrates my books. It's been a fantastic creative collaboration that really is magical. When you find someone like that who inspires you and with whom you really love working, it makes all the challenging parts of the work so worthwhile.
Laurel A. Rockefeller
I am currently working on two books: Princess Anyu Returns (book three of the Peers of Beinan Series) and Empress Wu Zetian (book three of the Legendary Women of World History Series).
Princess Anyu Returns is the long awaited conclusion to the Legacy of Princess Anlei Trilogy. As the name suggests, it is the story of Anyu's exile on D425E25 Tertius and her eventual return to Beinan. It is filled with revelations. As with Ghosts of the Past, nothing is as it appears to be in this book. Science fiction lovers will really enjoy the formal introduction of the Amur race and the villainy of three Amur in particular. There are hostile aliens, laser epee duels, romance, and lots of drama -- and that is just the first half of the book!
Empress Wu Zetian takes the Legendary Women of World History to 7th century China where we meet Wu Zhao, the most infamous woman in Asian history. Wu Zhao was bright, highly educated, and astute in a time where Confucian patriarchy dominated the culture and for this reason she was hated by male contemporaries.
Yet of all women in history, Empress Wu's life touches more lives today than perhaps any other woman in history -- including Queen Elizabeth I of England. Find out how and why in 2015!
Princess Anyu Returns is the long awaited conclusion to the Legacy of Princess Anlei Trilogy. As the name suggests, it is the story of Anyu's exile on D425E25 Tertius and her eventual return to Beinan. It is filled with revelations. As with Ghosts of the Past, nothing is as it appears to be in this book. Science fiction lovers will really enjoy the formal introduction of the Amur race and the villainy of three Amur in particular. There are hostile aliens, laser epee duels, romance, and lots of drama -- and that is just the first half of the book!
Empress Wu Zetian takes the Legendary Women of World History to 7th century China where we meet Wu Zhao, the most infamous woman in Asian history. Wu Zhao was bright, highly educated, and astute in a time where Confucian patriarchy dominated the culture and for this reason she was hated by male contemporaries.
Yet of all women in history, Empress Wu's life touches more lives today than perhaps any other woman in history -- including Queen Elizabeth I of England. Find out how and why in 2015!
Laurel A. Rockefeller
Writer's block is a signal that something is wrong in your work and needs to be gone over again and revised. When something is right, it just FLOWS. When I feel really blocked on something, my best strategy is to delete massive sections of the work and start that part over again. Nothing is perfect on the first pass. Block is your talent's signal that it's time to revise.
Laurel A. Rockefeller
Actually my audio book narrator Richard Mann (http://www.voiceovermann.com) seems to really inspire me to write. He is an amazing talent who motivates me to create my best work. I wrote nearly the entire Catherine de Valois biography in just two weeks after Mr. Mann and I signed the contract to record Boudicca: Britain's Queen of the Iceni as an audio book.
So yes, I credit him for inspiring my success and my best work.
This is proof that creative professionals need to be around other creative professionals and those people who encourage and support them wholeheartedly.
So yes, I credit him for inspiring my success and my best work.
This is proof that creative professionals need to be around other creative professionals and those people who encourage and support them wholeheartedly.
Laurel A. Rockefeller
American Poverty came about after watching a segment on "Meet the Press" in July exploring the implications of Russia's recent aggressions in the Ukraine on American foreign policy and reputation abroad. I write creative non-fiction biographies in the Legendary Women of World History. This was a fantastic opportunity to write political non fiction and explore social issues I care about. Along the way I found myself revising my thesis a couple times as my source material (including CNN Money, the Huffington Post [UK & USA], and Forbes) pointed me to new answers to this question.
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