I would like to introduce you to a new author today. Let us all welcome Lainee Cole and her wonderful first novel, At Midnight. Special note! Lainee has left a wonderful #Giveaway at the end of this post.
I’m so thrilled to have you here today. To start off this interview, tell us a little about yourself so my readers get to know the person behind the writer.
Oh, Lainee, I love you for the chocolate alone. As a mother, my heart skipped just a little when you mentioned your race-car racing daughter. My sweet daughter is a rocking climbing, high adventure hiker. We did something special raising such adventuresome kids, didn't we? And yes, my son doesn't tell me anything either. Oh, and for the record, I'm a Washington National's fan, and yay, playoffs start this weekend!!
So on with the interview. Tell us a little bit about how you came to write Midnight Casanova?
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Three talented authors. Three love stories. Three approaching deadlines.
Midnight Casanova by Lainee Cole
Stranded at midnight by a broken-down car, dog trainer Maddie Lockhart finds refuge in a deserted farmhouse. When the owner of the house, Chance Marlow, tries to oust her, Maddie uses the stray mutt he calls Casanova to convince him she can help with his collection of homeless animals. While their paths seem incompatible, working side-by-side to rescue animals, they discover otherwise.
Two Days Until Midnight by Lynn Crandall
Time is running out for reclusive billionaire Tamier Rein to save himself from transforming into a cheetah, and bird-shifter Lark Ellis is his only hope for surviving past midnight.
Midnight Deadline for Love by Rena Koontz
T.B. Amanscott is Harrison City’s wealthiest man and his kidnappers want one million dollars ransom by midnight or they will kill him. Every possible resource is available to Sergeant Ariana Jeanne Lozione, who is heading up the rescue attempt. There’s only one problem. A.J. wants him dead.
At one time, Lynn, Rena and I were Prairie Hearts RWA chapter-mates. We kept in touch after they both moved away. Last winter, we started talking about doing an anthology together, and At Midnight was born. Midnight Casanova is my second short story featuring shelter dogs. It came about partly because of the anthology, and partly because I had the idea to do a series of stories on shelter dogs. When I was looking for a dog to feature, I stumbled on this picture and fell in love with it. This is Casanova.
Oh, what a handsome boy!! Completing a book is an enormous challenge. What was your biggest obstacle and how did you overcome it? In other words, what do you think drove you to complete this enormous project?
My biggest obstacle was making time to write. Outside of work, some unexpected family responsibilities took me away from writing. But I made a commitment to my co-authors and I had no intention of letting them down. Every spare moment went to writing, while some other things went on the back burner so I could finish my story.
Adjusting my daily life with my passion to write is a daily struggle, and I think that's true with all authors. When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
Way back in grade school. I read Black Beauty many, many times and then started writing my own stories about horses. In junior high, I took every opportunity I could in English class to write stories. Then I started writing love poems that got passed around by my friends – and even had a few published in poetry anthologies! My best friend and I traded Harlequin romances like they were candy and when I read Janet Dailey’s Tidewater Lover, that’s when I knew I wanted to write romance.
Do you believe writers are born or made?
That’s a tough one. I think writing comes easy to some, but for the most part, I believe writers are made. We can study and learn how to write. With practice, we can improve. That doesn’t mean we are automatically successful, though. We work hard at what we do.
Lainee, becoming a writer was a dream of mine all my life too. You should take enormous pride in how you took that dream and made something of it. That's the challenge and where the real work comes into play. Do you think your life experiences have prepared you for a writing career?
I’m a people person. I try to be respectful and nice to everybody. Years ago, I went through a period of time where several acquaintances randomly started talking and telling me details about their life that I didn’t need to know. I asked a close friend “Do I have a sign on my back that says ‘Tell me your life story’?” She shrugged and told me I’m just easy to talk to. I don’t have all the answers, heck, I’m not even sure I have some of the answers! But everyone needs someone to listen and care. Through listening, I’ve seen how important perspective is. You and I can experience the same event and yet have totally different experiences and reactions due to our perspectives. That’s important to remember when creating realistic characters. We’ve all become who we are through our experiences.
So on a lighter note, I would love a little insight into what your ideal writing space looks like?
With a family, the family room has long been the center of our life. I didn’t want to miss things, so I learned to write in a chair with all the family noise going on around me. I’m often accused of not listening but hey – I’m busy writing! I have a favorite chair, with a footstool and a lap desk. Not the best posture, I know. But I find it difficult to write in a quiet place because I’m so used to noise!
Ha! I do the same thing. My writing space is my kitchen table right off the family room. What is up next for you?
I’m editing my contemporary romance, Fugitive Heart in preparation for submitting it. I’m also brainstorming ideas for a third shelter-dog short-story.
Where can readers find out more about your book and yourself?
At Midnight is available on Amazon.
Don't forget to also check out my co-authors!
Lynn Crandall
http://lynn-crandall.com/
https://www.facebook.com/lynn.crandall.3
Lynn Crandall on Twitter
Rena Koontz
https://www.renakoontz.com/
https://www.facebook.com/rena.koontz.5
Rena Koontz on Twitter
Nancy, thank you for having me on your blog today!
Lainee, it has been my pleasure hosting you. I wish you, Lynn and Rena the very best success with this new anthology. Please come back very soon.
If anyone has any questions for Lainee Cole, please don't be shy. If you have trouble posting in the comment section below, you can drop me an email at nancy@nancycweeks.com and I'll post your question here for you.
I hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend where you can find a few moments to relax and read a great book.
Hugs to all,
Nancy C. Weeks
Nancy, thank you so much for having me here today! I'm definitely glad to know I'm not alone in the "mom doesn't need to know" boat. So frustrating at times, but then I think how proud I am of my kids for handling their own lives. With them out of the house, I have more time to focus on writing and chasing MY dream!
ReplyDeleteI love Casanova! And your story, HiDee! Great interview.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lynn!
DeleteLainee, I'm in the same boat. At times, I wish they would return to those cute nine and five year old kids fussing at each other in the back seat of the car just so I can still protect their world for a little longer. But yes, I'm so proud the young adults they both have become. Writing keeps me from missing them too much.
ReplyDeleteGood point, Nancy. It fills some of the void for sure.
ReplyDelete