Today I'm delighted to interview Lori Connelly, author of the Lawman Silver Creek
About the author
I was born and still live
in Oregon. Despite being a good student, my teachers complained about my
tendency to daydream. The tales dancing through my imagination were frequently
far more entertaining than real life. As far back as I can remember I made up
stories, to calm my sister after a nightmare, entertain myself in boring
classes and write in countless notebooks, many never again to see the light of
day. I earned a BS from Eastern Oregon State College and married my best friend
almost twenty years ago. I’ve three brilliant, handsome sons, one amazing
daughter-in-law, a beautiful granddaughter and two spoiled dogs. When not
writing I love to read, hike, camp, rock hound, and take long walks with my
husband just after it rains.
My books:
Co-author of
As sheriff of Silver Creek County,
Matthew Marson’s job is to look after his town. But when he fails to protect
the most important person in his life, Claire, from an attack, Matt feels as
though he will never be able to forgive himself.
Her husband-to-be’s newly found
overprotectiveness drives the headstrong Claire from his arms. She can’t see a
future with a man who won’t allow her to follow her dreams.
In a small town where everybody knows
your name and your business, it’s impossible for the pair to stay apart,
especially as Claire finds that she can’t completely turn her back on the
lawman that she loves.
Can you tell us what prompted you to first start
writing?
As far back as I can remember I’ve made up
stories to entertain myself to the point that my teachers complained about my
constant daydreaming. For years the stories
I wove in my mind I’d share only with my sister, late at night. And then I became a teenager. I filled notebooks with angst, bad poetry and
stories. I’ve dreamed of being a
published author since high school but I struggled with doubt and some life
challenges for years before I felt ready to pursue it. I started writing with the intent of
publication in 2006.
What was the first thing you wrote?
A poem about pink slippers and my Mother for
her Mother’s Day present. I was six.
Can you summarise your latest work in just a few
words?
After a trauma, her laid-back lawman is
suddenly overprotective threatening the independence Claire prizes.
What
was the inspiration for this book?
I like exploring what if’s to existing
relationships. I’ve known couples who
survived a trauma, and then most fell apart afterwards. Few of the pairs worked through the aftermath
and had a stronger bond. I wanted to
show a glimpse into the lives of a couple who love each other but a traumatic
event has put their relationship in jeopardy.
Did you do any research for the book?
I used research I acquired while writing The
Outlaw of Cedar Ridge and referenced works I’ve discovered while doing
genealogy research.
What does a typical writing day involve for you?
I’m not certain I have a typical writing day
yet, finding a balance between writing, life, family, and other
responsibilities is a work in progress.
Usually I write for an hour or so as soon as I crawl out of bed. By then the dogs are looking at me with big,
brown, sorrowful eyes certain that they are starving to death. I get up; feed them, the fish and
myself. For the rest of the daylight
hours I write if I can grab a moment. As
the day winds down, I settle in a comfortable chair in the living room, laptop
on my lap, and write until the need for sleep outweighs the need for just a few
more words.
How do you decide on the names for your characters?
Genealogy is one of my hobbies. I’ve been researching my family history since
my teens and have amassed a wealth of information. Until recently, many of my relatives had
large families. In fact, my mother was
the seventh of nine children and my father the eldest of nine as well, although
only seven survived childhood. Most of
the characters in The Outlaw of Cedar Ridge, The Lawman of Silver Creek and the
other books I’m writing and/or have planned to write in the Men of Fir Mountain
series are named after my ancestors. I
open my family history program and scroll through all the names of those who
lived in the period my story is set and choose one that feels right.
What are you working on next?
The third book in the Men of Fir Mountain
series – working title The Recluse of River’s Bend. It is my current WIP.
What
has been the best part of the writing process…and the worst?
I love to write. Creating stories is magical. Within my works, I control the action,
reactions and outcome. Real life isn’t
so generous. The best part is editing
and layering, making the story the finest it can be.
The worst part has been trying to learn all
that goes into promoting my books. I’m
working on gaining more exposure as an author.
However, I feel awkward asking for reviews, to date rarely have, and
have only done a handful of interviews.
Often I feel as though I’m stumbling through a dark room, hoping to
shuffle through without bruising my shins badly.
Do
you plot your novels or allow them to develop as you write?
I have been a pantser who about midway
through a project would decide to rough out an outline. However, with my current WIP, I’m trying out
something new, scene and sequel cards, plotting out the whole story first. At one point, I had all the cards spread out in
order over the cover of my king size bed.
The sight gave me a good feeling of accomplishment even though I had a
ton of work ahead. I should have taken a
picture. This ‘new to me process’ is
less messy than I’m used to, but I’m still enjoying it.
What book(s) are you reading at the moment?
At the moment, I’m deep into my WIP and am
not reading anything else until I’m finished.
However, my TBR pile is huge, Queen of Song and Souls by C.L. Wilson,
Beyond Grace’s Rainbow by Carmel Harrington, Waking Up in Vegas by Romy Sommer,
The Light of Burning Shadows by Chris Evans, Sapphire Ridge by Aileen Harwood,
Sinfully Summer by Aimee Duffy, On the Scent by Angela Campbell and… I could go on but let’s just say I’m lucky
they’re ebooks or they would fill up my small house.
Do you have any advice for new writers?
For your voice to shine, to hone your craft,
practice, practice, practice. Read,
write daily, write when you’re inspired and when you’re not, edit, rewrite,
read some more and repeat. Never give
up.
Thank you Lori.
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