Lu Whitley is with us today! :-) Lu, please tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Lu: I'm Lu. A full-time author and oddball from all around the world, but currently setting up shop in Illinois. I've written 3 books total. Two that may never see the light of day. 1, BloodMarked, that has been published, and I'm currently working on its sequel, BloodStone, right now.
Me: Congrats on publishing your first novel! :-) What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Lu: My WIP is called BloodStone (The Fraktioneers #2). I had so much fun writing Stein - a secondary character in the first book who also happens to be a really snarky mountain troll - that I felt I needed to write more of his story.
Me: That sounds like fun! :-) What authors, or books have influenced you?
Lu: As far as authors go, I love the work of JRR Tolkein, Lloyd Alexander, VC Andrews, Anne Rice, Dean Koontz... oh there's just too many to name. Anything that has a little bit of fantasy, a dash of horror, and a whole lot of humor. I think probably every book I've ever read has influenced my writing a bit. I pick up mannerisms here or there. When I like a way a certain author does something - like pacing or dialogue choices, I think, "hmm... How can I adapt that?" I take it, put my spin on it and get going. I think that's how we grow as authors.
Me: I like it! Learning from the masters. ;-) What are you reading now?
Le: I get very little time to read. Being a self-published author is hard work! But when I do get time, I try to read work by other Indies. Right now, I'm reading Deceived by LA Starkey, and I'm loving it!
Me: That's great! :-) For those who might consider reading your book, what would you tell them to expect?
Le: Hmm. A main character, Greta, who knows nothing about what's really going on in her life, except for the fact that it's quickly running off the rails. Jaromir an 800+ year-old - but definitely not a vampire by his own definition - Scandinavian ex-prince who is sworn to protect Greta because she's the only one who can stop the world from being overrun by creatures who walk around wearing human skin... though neither one of them has any idea how. Romance and adventure ensue.
Me: Ha! Sounds interesting. What is your favorite part of being an author?
Lu: Getting to know the story as it happens. Ever read a book and thought, "It should have happened differently?" When you're a writer, it can happen any way you want...unless your characters are uncooperative like mine. Then they do whatever the hell they please.
Me: I think most authors find their characters often have minds of their own. ;-) What are the hardest and easiest parts about being a writer?
Lu: The easiest part for me is writing dialogue. Characters are always talking in my head, so I just write down what they say. The hardest part is marketing. It's so tedious, but it has to be done if you want your books to sell. Ugh.
Me: So true! :-) What genre do you place your book in?
Lu: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance... Kind of.
Me: Ha! Okay. :-) Anything else you'd like to tell your readers?
Lu: I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read my book. If you have any questions, feedback, or just want to say hi, don't hesitate to contact me.
Me: Great! And so these fine folks can find your work, are there any links you'd like me to post?
Lu: Yes please :)
Lu: I'm Lu. A full-time author and oddball from all around the world, but currently setting up shop in Illinois. I've written 3 books total. Two that may never see the light of day. 1, BloodMarked, that has been published, and I'm currently working on its sequel, BloodStone, right now.
Me: Congrats on publishing your first novel! :-) What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Lu: My WIP is called BloodStone (The Fraktioneers #2). I had so much fun writing Stein - a secondary character in the first book who also happens to be a really snarky mountain troll - that I felt I needed to write more of his story.
Me: That sounds like fun! :-) What authors, or books have influenced you?
Lu: As far as authors go, I love the work of JRR Tolkein, Lloyd Alexander, VC Andrews, Anne Rice, Dean Koontz... oh there's just too many to name. Anything that has a little bit of fantasy, a dash of horror, and a whole lot of humor. I think probably every book I've ever read has influenced my writing a bit. I pick up mannerisms here or there. When I like a way a certain author does something - like pacing or dialogue choices, I think, "hmm... How can I adapt that?" I take it, put my spin on it and get going. I think that's how we grow as authors.
Me: I like it! Learning from the masters. ;-) What are you reading now?
Le: I get very little time to read. Being a self-published author is hard work! But when I do get time, I try to read work by other Indies. Right now, I'm reading Deceived by LA Starkey, and I'm loving it!
Me: That's great! :-) For those who might consider reading your book, what would you tell them to expect?
Le: Hmm. A main character, Greta, who knows nothing about what's really going on in her life, except for the fact that it's quickly running off the rails. Jaromir an 800+ year-old - but definitely not a vampire by his own definition - Scandinavian ex-prince who is sworn to protect Greta because she's the only one who can stop the world from being overrun by creatures who walk around wearing human skin... though neither one of them has any idea how. Romance and adventure ensue.
Me: Ha! Sounds interesting. What is your favorite part of being an author?
Lu: Getting to know the story as it happens. Ever read a book and thought, "It should have happened differently?" When you're a writer, it can happen any way you want...unless your characters are uncooperative like mine. Then they do whatever the hell they please.
Me: I think most authors find their characters often have minds of their own. ;-) What are the hardest and easiest parts about being a writer?
Lu: The easiest part for me is writing dialogue. Characters are always talking in my head, so I just write down what they say. The hardest part is marketing. It's so tedious, but it has to be done if you want your books to sell. Ugh.
Me: So true! :-) What genre do you place your book in?
Lu: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance... Kind of.
Me: Ha! Okay. :-) Anything else you'd like to tell your readers?
Lu: I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read my book. If you have any questions, feedback, or just want to say hi, don't hesitate to contact me.
Me: Great! And so these fine folks can find your work, are there any links you'd like me to post?
Lu: Yes please :)
Website: http://lujwhitleyauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLuJWhitley
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LuJWhitley
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13559212.Lu_J_Whitley
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lu-J-Whitley/e/B00U7RR2PW
Riffle: https://read.rifflebooks.com/profiles/157639
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLuJWhitley
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LuJWhitley
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13559212.Lu_J_Whitley
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lu-J-Whitley/e/B00U7RR2PW
Riffle: https://read.rifflebooks.com/profiles/157639
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