Welcome Author Laura Hogg as Guest Interviewee

Laura, thank you so much for stopping by to chat with readers about yourself and your new release. What a terrific cover, by the way. How did you get into writing as a career?


When I was in my mid thirties, I tried to get a story published for the first time ever. What a scary thing to do. I got a lot of rejections then finally got a short story accepted for publication. Then about two years after I first tried submitting, I got offered my first book contract.

Do you write full time or still have a day job?

I have a day job. I work in a private reading school and edit for two epubs at night.

Wow, you must manage your time well. What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

Hopefully they're entertained, but I also strive to write in a way that will bring my readers through many emotional ups and downs, leaving them with a satisfied smile and perhaps something to think about.

In what genres do you write? Why more than one?

I write mostly romance, historical, paranormal, sci-fi and a little fantasy, so far. I've written non-fiction articles as well. I love to blend genres, and I read different types of books.

Me, too, Laura. Who are of your favorite authors?

It depends on the genre, but I read so many books that I have several favorites. For historical work, one of my favorite authors is Margaret George. For romance, there are just so many I enjoy.

I know what you mean, Laura. The list of favorites grows and grows, doesn't it? Tell us about your writing process. Are you a plotter or a panzer?

A little of both actually. I write a synopsis, a basic outline, write out the bare bones story, then go back about a million times fleshing it out and making revisions. I am also lucky enough to have a great critique group. My crit partners are wonderful.

Good critique partners are priceless, aren't they? I'm lucky to have good cp's too. Do you have a writing schedule?

Usually seven days a week at night when I'm not editing or spending time with my husband.

You are such a busy lady. Are you attending any conferences this year or scheduled as a speaker?

No conferences. I can't afford that yet.

Sigh, I hear you. I can't afford the RWA National this year, either. Are you involved in blog tours or other promotions?

At my blog:
http://traveltheages.blogspot.com/2010/06/goddess-fish-tour-please-welcome-author_11.html
I'm currently featuring author Madelyn Ford for the Goddess Fish tour.

Any guilty pleasures or vices you’d care to share?

Too much chocolate and peanut butter.

Chocolate is my downfall also. When you’re not writing, what do you do to relax?

Read, practice music, hang out with hubs etc.

What advice would you give to pre-published authors?

Well, I would have saved a lot of rejections if I would have received a good piece of advice from an editor earlier than I did: Find a good critique group and be active in it. I learned so much from other writers and am still doing so. I didn't get my first book deal until I had placed my work up with a group of other authors.

I agree, plus going to workshops. The workshops at Dallas Area Romance Authors meetings helped me a lot. Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself?

I'm just dying to invent something. When I homeschooled my daughter years ago, I created many games for her. Someday I hope to come up with a good invention.

Sounds like you have a lot of ingenuity. Tell us about your latest release.

It's a romantic fantasy novel set in the near future, a post-apocalyptic world. The book is called WHY, MY LOVE, released with Eternal Press.

Can you give us a blurb about the book?

Blurb:
What will a queen do to win back her man and her country? Nayda, a warrior queen, and her husband rule over a small kingdom in a post-apocalyptic world doing the best they can to rebuild their city and bring prosperity to their citizens.

A European queen visits and creates chaos. She goes to war with Nayda and takes her crown, and, under strange circumstances steals her husband. Now Nayda must return to her espionage ways. Her missions are extremely dangerous, even more so than battle, where she can at least see the sword coming.

Sounds tempting. How about an excerpt to tease us more?

PG Excerpt:

“I thought I knew you, Jeff.” Her body turned cold, and she swooned inwardly, not knowing who this stranger before her was. This was the biggest disaster of her life.

Eternity seemed to be frowning on her. She imagined herself lying dead on the ground with his sword in her chest, and she knew that part of her had just died. She made an effort to steady her anxious breathing and calm her trembling hands. Jeff lifted his sword and took a killing stance—his feet wider, his arms up in position. She gasped, and tears burned her eyes. With practiced speed, she caught his blade on the downswing, with her own. It rang out, and her heart pounded in its wreckage. Back and forth they swung, and tears rolled down her cheeks.

He forced her back, her feet shuffling. She stumbled over a twig and fell on her back. He bore down with vengeance, and she rolled away. His blade pinned a long, brown braid to the leaves beneath it. She scampered up, missing the braid, and was backed into a tree, and his blade came up and swished, cracking the air with the sound of thunderous betrayal.

“Last request!” she shouted in utter desolation.

Steel stopped, its edge cutting her neck. Sticky blood inched down her skin.

He nodded once.

Hey, Laura, don't stop there! Great excerpt. Where can readers find your books?

WHY, MY LOVE:

http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615721399

Author page at The Wild Rose Press: (I have several things out there)

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/laura-hogg-m-166.html

Isanne's Revelation (Medieval time travel, inspirational):
http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/product_info.php?cPath=154&products_id=771

Descent Into Darkness (historical romance):
http://www.moongypsypress.com/hogg.php
The 12th Kiss (historical romance): http://www.wings-press.com/

Double Vision (paranormal romance):

http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/paranormal/romance/double-vision/prod_74.html

Romeo vs. Juliet II: The Questrist (time travel/speculative fiction):

http://www.eirelander-publishing.com/romeovsjulietii.htm

And I have other work coming out soon.

I repeat, you are a very busy lady. How can readers learn more about you?

My links:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=62648343
http://twitter.com/lovebooksmusic
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003F977GI
http://traveltheages.blogspot.com/

http://www.myspace.com/l_hogg

If anyone likes the genre and think they'd be interested in reading Why, My Love, I could use some reviews. Just let me know! Also, I'd be happy to host other authors at my blog Travel the Ages. Thanks, so much for having me here today! -Laura

Thank you, Laura, for stopping by today. Best of luck with your writing.