What inspires you to write?  

I have a natural tendency to write. There is an energy from within that stimulates me into action. It is also a passion and joy that comes from it.  

When did you first consider yourself a writer?  

As a youngster. At ten years of age, I had a counselor who read the short horror stories I used to write, and she took it upon herself to show my stories to a friend of hers who worked at a mainstream publishing company. The lady at the publishing house thought my stories were good enough for publication and wanted to turn them into a book. So, I was offered the chance to get my stories published back then. By age twelve, I knew writing and becoming a professional author was the career path for me.  

Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre?  

I am versatile even when it comes to my personality. So, the types of stories that I write are an interest to me. They are things that hold my attention. I have always loved suspense, thrillers, mystery, and a little horror here and there. And by nature, I had been drawn to the supernatural. I also like action. All those things are featured in the kinds of books that I write.  

Are you a full-time or part-time writer, and how does that affect your writing?  

I am currently a part-time writer. I would love to one day become a full-time writer, but I have another job during the week that limits the extra time that I would like to put into my creations.  

What are some day jobs you have held, and how have they influenced your writing?  

I have worked in retail outlets and in the healthcare field. Those jobs did not have any influence on my writing at all. I have been writing and publishing far before I entered the regular day and night jobs. I am more influenced by the realities of life in combination with my talents and imagination. I am extremely creative, and I produce material automatically.  

What have you written so far?  

I wrote an autobiographical book over twenty years ago at the age of twenty-three. I authored another book shortly after (fictional) about a young girl molested and neglected by her mother (fortunately I never went through anything like that in my life). The rest of my stories are profound yet meant for entertainment. I write about strong, intelligent, powerful, independent women and I have fun with their characters. I also freely and naturally include proud and bold interracial and LGBT characters in my books. I love all my characters and the stories they are a part of.  

Do you work with an outline or plot sketch, or do you prefer to let a general idea guide your writing?  

I have this gift where my stories write themselves. Information comes to me before, after, and while I write. Sometimes I do not even know how the entire story will turn out. My stories excite and surprise me as I am a part of something bigger there at work within me.  

What role does research play in your writing?  

Research plays an especially important part in my writing. I am an individual who is very thorough. Truth and realism are important to me. While I may create fictional towns and certain fictional things and circumstances in my stories, all the facts about subject matters I write about are exact in nature – whether through my own firsthand experiences, through the experiences of others I know, or through self-education and analysis. I am even specific about dates. Whenever you see years, months, and days noted in my stories they do line up together correctly for that period if you go back and check through calendars.  

How long does it take you to write a book? 

It depends on the time I put into the projects. I have authored a book in three days, seven days, two weeks, and a month. It all depends. There are times when I will be up for two days straight without sleeping. I will get some sleep, wake up, and I am back at it again like the energizer bunny.  

Did you independently or “self” publish, or did you go the “traditional” publishing route, and why?  

I self-publish because I like to have total control over my work. I am proud of what I create and do not want any publishing company butchering my stories to conform or to fit into what they consider marketable. I appreciate diversity, freshness, and open-mindedness, not the same old general, predictable trends that cater to what is average. 

What do you do to get book reviews?  

Nothing so far. I do not seek out reviews. I just recently for the first time sent one of my books to a magazine for an editorial review purely for a promotional opportunity (I have not heard anything from them yet). A review, to me, is just another person’s perspective and opinion. Though some people may be positively or negatively influenced by other reviews, a review will never confirm, define, reflect, or discourage who I am or the value of my writings.  

Want to learn more about LaToya Lawrence?

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