Author and prolific reader Laurie London has let this bunny corner her for an interview…

Laurie thanks for joining us. What is your most current work out?

My current release is the novella Enchanted By Blood, featured in the anthology A Vampire for Christmas.

Tell us a little about novella Enchanted By Blood and what inspired you to write it?

Earlier this year, I was asked if I’d be interested in contributing a novella for a Christmas anthology involving vampires. You don’t normally equate vampires with Christmas, so I gladly accepted the challenge. Since it’s set in the same Sweetblood world as my novels, I decided to take an element of the world (the ability to wipe a human’s mind) and explore it further.

Last year, I read Lisa Genova’s beautifully written, but tragic novel Still Alice, told from the point of view of a woman with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. My book club discussed the effects of losing your memory and not knowing who your loved ones were. I took that theme and set in the Sweetblood world, because the romantic in me wants to believe that even if your memories are gone, your heart and soul doesn’t ever forget.

When you start writing, do you already have the story plotted out or do you let the characters dictate what will happen?

A little of both. The most satisfying stories (at least for me) are those with an interesting character arc, where the person they are at the beginning is different from the person they are at the end. People don’t like change and neither do characters. In order to get them to grow and change, you’ve got to hit them were it counts, where they are the most emotionally vulnerable—their fears. So before I can plot a story, I need to know what kinds of things will act like a bucket of cold water in their face and get them to change.

What inspired you to write in your genre? Is this the genre you started writing in or have you morphed to this one?

I started writing middle grade fiction, then contemporary romance set in the horseshow world (I have horses and wanted to use my knowledge), but the more I wrote, the less excited I was. Then a wise friend told me to write what I like to read, which is paranormal romance (adult and young adult). I’ve always loved stories about vampires, so I wrote a story to please me-the-reader. Imagine my surprise when I found an agent and editor who loved the story too.

Do you have a favorite character you have written?

Although I love them all, the easiest one for me to write was Alfonso in Embraced By Blood. His character was well-formed in my mind before I ever started writing his book and his past is so terribly tragic. I wanted so badly for him to be happy.

Do you have a character that you look back on now and don’t like?

Trace from the novella Enchanted By Blood ticked me off because of a jackassed decision he made before the story opens. I tried to change it, but no matter how hard I tried or how many different avenues I took, he stuck to his guns. There’s a scene where Charlotte slaps him, which I love, and his grandmother vexes him at every turn. Because he made me mad, I had fun torturing him.

Do you draw inspiration for your characters from real life? Any fun stories you could share?

Some of the banter between the Guardians has been inspired by my husband and his friends. They can be really gross and crude in their insults and how they talk to each other. None of my friends would dare talk to each other the way they do.

What do you find the hardest part of writing?

Everything! LOL Actually, the first draft of a manuscript is the hardest for me. You start with a blank canvas and the possibilities are so endless that it’s almost paralyzing sometimes. Am I veering off-target, is this motivation weak, is the conflict fizzing out, what the hell happens next? But once those preliminary decisions are hammered out, I really enjoy revisions. To me, that’s where the magic really happens.

Name one thing that your readers would be surprised to know about you.

Although I write about vampires and I created the Sweetblood mythology, I’ve passed out numerous times when I’ve seen blood…or even thought about blood.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

It used to be curling up with a good book, but since I can legitimately say that a lot of reading helps my writing, it’s no longer a guilty pleasure. “Sorry, kids, dinner’s late because I need to finish reading this book.”

What do you need before you start writing? Anything that is just a must have or the creative juice don’t flow?

Sharp pencils (whether they get used or not) and a latte.

Does music influence your writing? If so, do any of your stories have a theme song?

I can’t listen to music with lyrics as I’m writing, but all my books have a playlist. Also, some of my characters do too. I’ll listen to that character’s playlist when I go running, which inspires me when I sit down to write later.

If your story was optioned for a movie, who would play your characters?

For Dominic, I’d pick a tall Rodrigo Santoro with muscles. For Alfonso, is there an actor who looks like Keith Urban with big muscles? As far as Jackson goes, I used model Tommy Dunn for inspiration, particularly his True Religion ads.

Where were you when you got your first contract? Who did you tell first?

Shortly before the Emerald City Writers Conference, my agent called to say we had an offer, but I couldn’t say anything to any of my friends there because it wasn’t a done deal. That weekend was torture! I told my husband and my kids, then my sister.

How old were you when you read your first romance book?

I was a teenager when I started reading category romance.

Who do you like to read?

Gena Showalter, Ilona Andrews, Jeaniene Frost, Lara Adrian, JR Ward, Charlaine Harrison, Cherry Adair, Alexis Morgan, Thea Harrison, Nalini Singh and Larissa Ione are some of my favorites. Ugh, I know I’m forgetting some!

What author causes you to “go fan girl”/ squeal over/anticipate upcoming books

I went fan-girl over Gena Showalter when I met her at the RWA conference a few months ago!

If you still have one of those pesky day jobs what is it?

Nope. I was just getting ready to go back to work since my kids were older, then I got the call and decided to write fulltime instead.

What are you currently working on, and what else is in the wings?

As I wait for revisions to come back on Jackson’s story (Tempted By Blood, coming out Mar 2012), I’m writing Santiago’s story (coming Aug 2012). After that, I’m hoping my publisher will want more books in the Sweetblood series.

Do you have an all time favorite book you have read? written?

Just one? Okay, if you’re going to pin me down, I’d probably say JR Ward’s Lover Awakened, Zsadist’s book. His character arc is so amazing and it’s such an emotional story. I loved it!

If you could co-write with another author who would it be?

I’m not sure I could write a story with another author. Brainstorming—yes. But actually writing a story together? I don’t think I could.

How do you pick your characters names?

They tell me their names. Sometimes I don’t get it right when I pick the names for them, and in those cases, they won’t talk to me.

Do you prefer the love at first sight approach or a steady growth throughout?

I’m a sucker for the love at first sight approach or at least attraction. I personally don’t care for books where the couple is at each other’s throats the whole way through. And when the hero thinks the heroine is plain or ugly at the beginning, even if he comes to find her beautiful in the end, it always makes me sad. This doesn’t mean they aren’t plain, ordinary, or even ugly to other people, but I like when each finds the other attractive from the start. Ugly duckling to swan stories may be popular, but they’re usually not my preference.

What is your reaction to people who say one of the following…”Oh you write romance, I thought you were a real writer”, “Romance isn’t a real writing career” or the ever popular “Oh, one of those books”.

So far, I’ve never experienced that and I hope I never will. I understand that romance isn’t everyone’s cup of tea and that’s okay. I’d sure like to see them try to write a book, romance or not.

Where can readers find you?

I love to talk to readers online. You can find me here:
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
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And for the silly side – What is your favorite type of chocolate?

Fran’s Grey and Smoked Salted Caramels I’m getting chills just thinking about them.