The St. John Series by Lora Thomas
Interview
Q: Tell us a little about yourself, Lora--like where you're from, where you went to school, etc.
A: I was born in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, and grew up in Owingsville, a small town in eastern Kentucky not far from where I was born. I graduated from Morehead State University with degrees in Business, Health Promotion, and Nursing. I still live in northeastern Kentucky on my family's farm with my husband, son, and several family pets.
Q: How long have you been writing and how long have you been publishing?
A: I wrote my first book in 2014. It took me twenty-six days. I originally published with a company under the pseudonym of A.J. Wells. Then, I met another author—thanks, Laurel!—who convinced me to republish my book under my name.
Q: Did you start with short stories, a novella, or a novel? And what made you decide to sit down and actually start something?
A: I started straightaway with a novel. In the fall/winter of 2013, my husband bought me a Kindle. I read several books and told him I thought I could write a book myself. He challenged me to do so. In the early part of 2014, the winter was bad. Working for a school system, I missed 26 straight days. So, during this time, I began the challenge and wrote my first novel, Love’s Abyss.
Q: Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre?
A: I love the Victorian time period but find the age of piracy intriguing as well. I read historical romance novels for years and decided to use the time frame that called to me for my settings. Many of my favorite historical romance authors write in these eras—Johanna Lindsey, Judith McNaught, Jude Deveraux, Lynsay Sands. I love writing about the past. It is a fantasy time of romantic intrigue. I can place myself in that time period while I write, getting away from the hustle and bustle of modern times and the “conveniences” that go with it—even though I use a laptop and listen to music as I write. :-)
Q: What’s the easiest part of writing for you? What’s the hardest part?
A: The easiest part of writing is the writing itself. I put on my headphones and get into my “zone”. I tune everything out. As I write, I picture the story playing out in my head. The hardest part is getting my name out there. Marketing is not my forte, and I find it difficult to locate the proper channels to get my name out and known.
Q: Do you aim for a set number of words/pages per day?
A: I don’t aim for a certain number of words or pages per day. I just go. Sometimes I write during my lunch hour. Other times I’m at home simply sitting on the couch (while my husband is watching TV).
Q: Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
A: I don’t work with an outline. The music I listen to helps set the flow of my books and the development of characters. In my book, A Pirate’s Heart, I used the sentence, “Make him forget the demons that woman has instilled in him.” The sentence came to me as I was listening to the song “Demons” by Imagine Dragons. As I walk my dog, I often think of ideas and storylines. When I return home, I go straight to my computer and jot down my thoughts and ideas before forgetting them. And sometimes, my dreams help with the stories. I have a vivid imagination and even more vivid dreams (a trait I inherited from my grandmother). I dream about my books, and sometimes my dreams become my book (Love’s Abyss).
Q: How long on average does it take you to write a book?
A: I’m a fast writer. My first book took me 26 days. The others, I’m not so sure. Once I have written a book, I like to let it “marinate”—as I call it. I don’t read it or think about it for at least a month. Then I’ll read it, tweak it, and let it marinate again. I do this process several times until I’m ready to send it to my editor.
Q: Tell us about the cover/s and how it/they came about.
A: I use Selfpubbookcovers.com for my covers. I am always browsing for covers and have a general idea of the plot and the character descriptions. The covers call out to me, and if I see one that I know is “it,” I will purchase that cover. I have several covers already purchased and am just waiting to write the books. Recently, I have discovered a site called BookBrush. I use them for the backs/spines of my paperback books.
Q: Do you read your reviews and how do you feel about good/bad ones?
A: I like input, and I value the opinion of my readers. The good reviews make me glad I chose the topic. I like to hear what they think about my books and characters. The bad ones—not so much. The first bad review I had, it hurt and I wanted to cry. But one must realize that not everyone has the same opinion as others. If I read a book that I do not care for, I try to find the positive of the book. Each author puts a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and time into each book. Their work should be rewarded with honest reviews, not mean ones.
Q: How do you find or make time to write?
A: At times, this can be difficult, especially during the warm weather. I love being outside when the spring and summer come. But working for a school system has its advantages. During the summer, I write late at night, after everyone has gone to bed. Otherwise, I try to get in time turning my lunch or after I have settled in to rest at night. Snow days help as well. There is something about sitting in a warm house while the snow is falling that helps me focus—I guess it’s because I hate the cold and have no desire to go outside.
Q: What do you like to read in your free time, and do you prefer print or ebooks?
A: I’m a historical romance girl. I was a young teen when I read my first one (I secretly read my mother’s books—she’s a romance girl, too). And since my first book (Johanna Lindsay’s Secret Fire), I was hooked. But I am open to all genres. I enjoy a good mystery every now and then, too. As for preferring ebooks or print books, I know ebooks are more convenient and accessible for most people. But there is just something about holding a print book in your hands. The smell of the pages and the feel of them as you turn the pages. Of course, technology is ever-improving, but to me, nothing will surpass the feel of an actual book in your hands.
Q: What project(s) are you working on at the present time?
A: I recently released my twelfth book in the St. John Series, My Heart’s Desire. Counting my newest release, I have seventeen published books. Other than the St. John Series books, I also have my Fire and Ice Trilogy (Betrayal, Deception, and The True King), one based in the Revolutionary War called Liberty’s Deception, and a stand-alone book called Summer’s Embrace (which does mention a few of the characters from the St. John Series but it is not part of that series). Currently, I am writing another St. John Series book (the title is still to be determined).
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
A: Never give up on your dreams. I was 40 when I wrote my first book. Go to author events. Meet the authors. The ones I have met are more than happy to give advice on writing and publishing. Remember, no one is an overnight success. It takes years and hard work to become known. But if writing is something you love, then just do it. There are many self-publishing agencies out there where you can publish your book(s) for free. If you choose to use a publisher, do your research. Check their standing with the BBB. Read reviews of others who have used them. And remember, many companies have many different names. Do your homework! But always keep writing!!!
Keep in touch with Lora Thomas at:
Website: www.lora-thomas.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lora-Thomas-343880465812409/?ref=bookmarks
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Lora-Thomas/e/B01BASYBB4/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1458778913&sr=8-1
Q: Tell us a little about yourself, Lora--like where you're from, where you went to school, etc.
A: I was born in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, and grew up in Owingsville, a small town in eastern Kentucky not far from where I was born. I graduated from Morehead State University with degrees in Business, Health Promotion, and Nursing. I still live in northeastern Kentucky on my family's farm with my husband, son, and several family pets.
Q: How long have you been writing and how long have you been publishing?
A: I wrote my first book in 2014. It took me twenty-six days. I originally published with a company under the pseudonym of A.J. Wells. Then, I met another author—thanks, Laurel!—who convinced me to republish my book under my name.
Q: Did you start with short stories, a novella, or a novel? And what made you decide to sit down and actually start something?
A: I started straightaway with a novel. In the fall/winter of 2013, my husband bought me a Kindle. I read several books and told him I thought I could write a book myself. He challenged me to do so. In the early part of 2014, the winter was bad. Working for a school system, I missed 26 straight days. So, during this time, I began the challenge and wrote my first novel, Love’s Abyss.
Q: Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre?
A: I love the Victorian time period but find the age of piracy intriguing as well. I read historical romance novels for years and decided to use the time frame that called to me for my settings. Many of my favorite historical romance authors write in these eras—Johanna Lindsey, Judith McNaught, Jude Deveraux, Lynsay Sands. I love writing about the past. It is a fantasy time of romantic intrigue. I can place myself in that time period while I write, getting away from the hustle and bustle of modern times and the “conveniences” that go with it—even though I use a laptop and listen to music as I write. :-)
Q: What’s the easiest part of writing for you? What’s the hardest part?
A: The easiest part of writing is the writing itself. I put on my headphones and get into my “zone”. I tune everything out. As I write, I picture the story playing out in my head. The hardest part is getting my name out there. Marketing is not my forte, and I find it difficult to locate the proper channels to get my name out and known.
Q: Do you aim for a set number of words/pages per day?
A: I don’t aim for a certain number of words or pages per day. I just go. Sometimes I write during my lunch hour. Other times I’m at home simply sitting on the couch (while my husband is watching TV).
Q: Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
A: I don’t work with an outline. The music I listen to helps set the flow of my books and the development of characters. In my book, A Pirate’s Heart, I used the sentence, “Make him forget the demons that woman has instilled in him.” The sentence came to me as I was listening to the song “Demons” by Imagine Dragons. As I walk my dog, I often think of ideas and storylines. When I return home, I go straight to my computer and jot down my thoughts and ideas before forgetting them. And sometimes, my dreams help with the stories. I have a vivid imagination and even more vivid dreams (a trait I inherited from my grandmother). I dream about my books, and sometimes my dreams become my book (Love’s Abyss).
Q: How long on average does it take you to write a book?
A: I’m a fast writer. My first book took me 26 days. The others, I’m not so sure. Once I have written a book, I like to let it “marinate”—as I call it. I don’t read it or think about it for at least a month. Then I’ll read it, tweak it, and let it marinate again. I do this process several times until I’m ready to send it to my editor.
Q: Tell us about the cover/s and how it/they came about.
A: I use Selfpubbookcovers.com for my covers. I am always browsing for covers and have a general idea of the plot and the character descriptions. The covers call out to me, and if I see one that I know is “it,” I will purchase that cover. I have several covers already purchased and am just waiting to write the books. Recently, I have discovered a site called BookBrush. I use them for the backs/spines of my paperback books.
Q: Do you read your reviews and how do you feel about good/bad ones?
A: I like input, and I value the opinion of my readers. The good reviews make me glad I chose the topic. I like to hear what they think about my books and characters. The bad ones—not so much. The first bad review I had, it hurt and I wanted to cry. But one must realize that not everyone has the same opinion as others. If I read a book that I do not care for, I try to find the positive of the book. Each author puts a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and time into each book. Their work should be rewarded with honest reviews, not mean ones.
Q: How do you find or make time to write?
A: At times, this can be difficult, especially during the warm weather. I love being outside when the spring and summer come. But working for a school system has its advantages. During the summer, I write late at night, after everyone has gone to bed. Otherwise, I try to get in time turning my lunch or after I have settled in to rest at night. Snow days help as well. There is something about sitting in a warm house while the snow is falling that helps me focus—I guess it’s because I hate the cold and have no desire to go outside.
Q: What do you like to read in your free time, and do you prefer print or ebooks?
A: I’m a historical romance girl. I was a young teen when I read my first one (I secretly read my mother’s books—she’s a romance girl, too). And since my first book (Johanna Lindsay’s Secret Fire), I was hooked. But I am open to all genres. I enjoy a good mystery every now and then, too. As for preferring ebooks or print books, I know ebooks are more convenient and accessible for most people. But there is just something about holding a print book in your hands. The smell of the pages and the feel of them as you turn the pages. Of course, technology is ever-improving, but to me, nothing will surpass the feel of an actual book in your hands.
Q: What project(s) are you working on at the present time?
A: I recently released my twelfth book in the St. John Series, My Heart’s Desire. Counting my newest release, I have seventeen published books. Other than the St. John Series books, I also have my Fire and Ice Trilogy (Betrayal, Deception, and The True King), one based in the Revolutionary War called Liberty’s Deception, and a stand-alone book called Summer’s Embrace (which does mention a few of the characters from the St. John Series but it is not part of that series). Currently, I am writing another St. John Series book (the title is still to be determined).
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
A: Never give up on your dreams. I was 40 when I wrote my first book. Go to author events. Meet the authors. The ones I have met are more than happy to give advice on writing and publishing. Remember, no one is an overnight success. It takes years and hard work to become known. But if writing is something you love, then just do it. There are many self-publishing agencies out there where you can publish your book(s) for free. If you choose to use a publisher, do your research. Check their standing with the BBB. Read reviews of others who have used them. And remember, many companies have many different names. Do your homework! But always keep writing!!!
Keep in touch with Lora Thomas at:
Website: www.lora-thomas.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lora-Thomas-343880465812409/?ref=bookmarks
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Lora-Thomas/e/B01BASYBB4/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1458778913&sr=8-1
