Ask the Author: Courtney Lyman
Answered Questions (10)
Courtney Lyman
This summer I read 'Carnegie's Maid', a couple of Emilie Loring books (my reading equivalent of comfort food), two books in the Pleasant Gap series by Pepper Basham: 'Just the Way You Are' and 'The Way You Look at Me', and since I visited Mt. Vernon, I also read 'Martha Washington: An American Life'. A little eclectic group and none of them what I would call 'summer reads', but I enjoyed them all very much.
Courtney Lyman
My first thought is always to go to the world of Jane Austen - particularly to Pemberly. In fact, my parents just gave me a mug for my birthday that says, 'I'd rather be at Pemberly.'
Courtney Lyman
Horror isn't really my genre, but let's give it a try:
Stretching out her hand, the girl slowly opened the creaky, spiderweb covered doors of the pantry. Letting out a scream, she fell to her knees as her worst fears were realized - the chocolate was gone!
Stretching out her hand, the girl slowly opened the creaky, spiderweb covered doors of the pantry. Letting out a scream, she fell to her knees as her worst fears were realized - the chocolate was gone!
Courtney Lyman
My first book took me five years and it's the shortest of the books I've written to date. My second book was done in about a year. Last year, I got a third book written and a novella written. So it seems like the more I get the process down, the faster I can write. My goal this year is to get three books written, but I'm not sure if I'm capable of writing that much in one year yet.
Courtney Lyman
I take a break from writing and spend time daydreaming. Eventually, the story begins to unfold again. If I get even a little bit of a hint of where it should go next, I sit down and start writing again. It's amazing how it can sometimes just work itself out.
Courtney Lyman
Two things I love about being a writer. The first is that I get to put all the stories that are in my head out on paper and having that creative outlet is so refreshing. The second is that I can stay home with my children and write. I don't have to punch a time clock or go to an office. I love being a stay at home mom and that's my first priority. Writing is second.
Courtney Lyman
A big way that I get inspired to write is by daydreaming. I think of a concept or idea and run with it in my head. If it starts to develop, I know I can write it down. If it falls apart, I know it's not ready yet.
Courtney Lyman
Write, write, write. The best way to build your skills is to sit down and do it! Don't be afraid to have people you trust read your work. Make sure you choose people who will be able to be honest with you in an encouraging way. Listen to their advice whether positive or negative. Positive comments help you know what you're doing right and negative comments help you know what you need to improve on. Both are very helpful!
Courtney Lyman
I am currently writing a Christmas novella. I'm hoping that it will be available by Thanksgiving 2014.
Courtney Lyman
My most recent book is the third in the KW Consulting series so the story line for the third consultant had been building for a while. With Brooke being a former model, I wanted to emphasize that her true beauty was because of heart. I've also always been intrigued by the idea of a "marriage of convenience" and wanted to see if I could put a modern twist on a classic concept.
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