The Author:
Laura Del
The Title of Your Work or Group:
Graveyard Shifts: A Pat Wyatt Novel
Where are you from?
I’m originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but moved out to Jersey a few years ago. I’m not going to say that I don’t like it here, but it’s no Philly. -Laughs-
In what genre do you write?
I write anything fiction, and I really like to write about the supernatural! However, I’m really not a big fan of
zombies…they freak me out. I’m shuttering right now just thinking about them.
In your own words, what is your book about? If you were not the author and trying to explain this awesome book you just read to a friend, what would you say about it?
My book is about a woman named Patricia Anne Wyatt (everybody knows her as Pat), who is thrown into a world that she never knew existed. A world full of werewolves, witches and not surprisingly vampires. After she’s persuaded, very quickly I might add, into marrying a man named Samuel SatanĂ©, she finds out that he is not what he seems. In fact, she realizes that he wants to suck all the blood out off her body.
Creepy, right?
Anyway, Graveyard Shifts is for anyone who enjoys dark humor, suspense and a very sarcastic heroine who a takes everything that happens to her in stride. I’m a big fan of strong, independent female characters, and I would like to think that Pat Wyatt is one of them.
What is your writing style?
I like to write down everything by hand first. I love the way the ink smells on paper! Then, I will sit and type it all up. I’ll add, subtract and sometimes multiply…you know…if the mood strikes me.
You should see my house! It’s full of journals filled with stories that haven’t been typed up yet. I love it! ;)
Have you ever written anything and thought; " The world has got to see this!" ?
That’s what I thought about Pat Wyatt. I wanted to share her with the world. And, even though I never think my work is good enough (I’m a perfectionist), I just wanted everyone to know and love her like I do.
Do you have an editor and Cover Designer or do you do this yourself?
I edit first, and then I send it off to an editor. Also, last time I used CreateSpace for the cover art. I have to say…I love it!
Who is your favorite author.
Sharon Creech taught me how to read, but Jane Austen and Charlaine Harris made me want to write! I love the way all of them take a chunk out of their characters live, and make you feel like you’re actually there.
It makes me smile just thinking about it.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Sad scenes…I can’t write them without crying, and when I cry I can’t see the screen. So, I have to stop, wipe my eyes, tell myself it’s only a story (which never helps) and get it done before I break down completely. It’s tough, but that’s why I love this job.
Do you write your characters or do they write themselves through you?
I’d say they write themselves. I’m just the one hearing them tell me the story. We’re like best friends. We gossip about boys/girls, we tell each other our likes and dislikes, and we just love to braid each other’s hair. It may sound crazy, but it’s true!
Do you ever write yourself into the characters?
Sometimes. Pat has my sarcasm, wit and my temper. But I’d like to think that that all my characters are their own person.
Is writing your full time job or are you "Keeping your day job"? So to speak.
Writing, right now, is my full time job. I was recently diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, and it has been giving me a really terrible time. One day, when I’m better, I’m going to have to go out into the workforce and try to find a stress free environment (I was thinking a bookstore). But for right now, with my health the way it is, it’s just going to be me and my characters trying to make people laugh, and trying to keep the reader on the edge of their seats. ;)
If you could go back in time and meet one famous person or legend in history, who would it be?
Just one?! Oh God! Um…It would have to be Jane Austen. I think, if a found in the TARDIS (that’s from Doctor Who for those of you who don’t know), I would probably beg the Doctor to take me to meet her, and I believe we’d become fast friends. At least, that’s what my imagination tells me.
There are millions of new books released every year. What in your mind makes yours stand out from all those millions in your genre?
Pat Wyatt!
Like I said before, she’s a strong woman. But she’s also very quick on the uptake, and I’d like to think she’s different from most heroines. I love characters like that…don’t you?
In the world of Indie, marketing is very difficult, especially if you don't have the funds to pay for it. Have you found a great free way to market your work that you think other Indies will benefit from?
I’ve found it very difficult to market for free. However, Facebook and Twitter help. You just have to keep updating your statuses and your tweets, and make sure you do it every day. God, I hope that’s good advice.
Check out the book trailer here:
Now give me your links so we can find, follow and generally stalk your career!