What
has led you to writing?
Utter frustration. Since my early teens,
I’ve turned to my journal to vent and fume and imagine and take literary
revenge on the evils of the world. It’s led to a life-long habit. Taking to
novels started on a dare from my husband. He said, “You can’t write a novel.”
Ha. Guess I showed him.
Has
your experience thus far been all you expected?
Yes and no. I
began writing novels at the tail end of the era in which young talent was
nurtured, publishers sent authors on book tours, and novels had dust jackets.
I’d fantasized about the day I’d hold my first printed book in my hands. And
when I finally did, it was a paperback. Since my background is in marketing and
advertising, my next thought was to spin it into something good: it would be
cheaper and more people will buy it! The experience of interacting with readers
has been better than I expected. Social media has made it so easy. I love when
a message from a reader pops up and we have a little exchange. Sometimes it
completely breaks my heart.
Poor
editing seems to be a big issue in the Indie scene. As an editor, what is your
take on the subject?
How much time do you have, Todd?
Seriously, I want all of us to put our best work out there. I hate when I see
forum threads about “crappy indie editing.” I hate when I download a book and
it’s peppered with typos and cringe-worthy word choices. Yes. The majority of
writers are professionals who care deeply about the impression they make. In no
way am I saying we don’t, or that we’re lazy. But I think some of us rush. I
feel that pull at times. Your friend releases a new book. Everyone’s excited
and the review bling piles up; you want yours out NOW. Why jeopardize your
credibility by rushing, by not giving your manuscript to a few beta readers, by
not getting a good edit or proofread? It doesn’t necessarily have to cost a
fortune. You get what you pay for, but many editors are willing to negotiate,
especially with indie writers. As one myself, I feel your pain.
The
writing community can be its own worst enemy at times. What are some of the
problems (if any) that you see today?
Impatience to release books, as I
mentioned before. And it makes me squirmy when writers take their personal
battles with other writers or reviewers public. Sure, we toss a little snark
and vent privately with our friends and support groups, but I don’t think it
does our cause any good to turn on each other. Healthy debates are fine. Calling
each other out, not to answer a baseless charge but to get more attention for
you and your work? Eh. Maybe because I don’t like confrontation (unless it’s in
my novels.) And grandstanding just seems…desperate to me.
The
social media is…
Fun, influential, and effective, if used
creatively and with common sense. Damaging, time-sucking, and dispiriting if
not. I love that it’s put me in touch with so many great people in all areas of
my life. I love that it’s transformed how we get our books into the world. But
if I stay on too long, that’s time I’m not writing, reading, getting my
clients’ project done, or tending to all the other things I do each day. So I
have to be careful.
Share
some information about your work with us:
Each project
feels like I’m learning to write a novel all over again. A character or
situation falls into my head and I have to get to know these people and their
conflicts. Fortunately, I like puzzles. Unfortunately, I have this habit of
writing a first draft, putting it away to “compost,” and getting involved with
another project. Maybe that’s self-preservation, so I’ll always have something
to pull out of the closet. With editing work, each new manuscript I’m entrusted
with is also a puzzle. I’d never mess with a writer’s voice; I’m just trying to
help them make it clearer.
What
is one question you are sick of being asked—not in interviews, but by
individuals who know you write?
“But why don’t you want
to go to a BIG publisher and make tons of money?” Sigh.
How
will you deal with negative reviews?
I’ve already dealt with
some. Sure, they were tough at first. I vented in private, but I won’t respond
in public. An opinion is an opinion. I opened myself up for this when I
published. If it’s about the work, fine. Maybe I can glean some useful
information that will help me next time. If it’s about the reader, chalk it up
to personal preference. Whatever. Move on.
How
much reading do you get in, and can a writer excel at his or her craft if they
do not read?
I try to read at least
a half-hour a day, and more if my eyeballs can stand it. I can only speak for
my own experience, but reading has been one of my greatest writing teachers. I
can’t imagine not reading.
Share
some editing wisdom with the writing community.
I think we make
ourselves crazy with writing “rules.” Sure, certain grammatical constructs are
there for a reason. Proper punctuation makes your sentences easier to
understand. Consistency in tense and voice makes for a smoother reading
experience. Varying sentence structure and length doesn’t make it so smooth the
reader is lulled off to sleep. My usual answer when writers ask if they can do
x, y, or z in their books is, “It depends.” If it works, and you limit the use
of the unorthodox stuff for places in your story where it will give maximum
impact, you can get away with pretty much anything. Learning how to make those
choices that are best for the story is part of your growth as a writer. A good
editor can teach you that, too.
What
other projects are you currently working on?
I’m revising the next
novel, a “tragicomical” story of a family in crisis.
What
is one thing about you that would surprise the readers who do not know you
personally?
Even though sometimes I
write about serious topics, I’m a total goofball.
If
you could team up with any Indie author, (no fair if I let you choose from one
of the big names), who would you choose, and what would be the subject matter
of the book?
Oh, that’s not fair,
either, Todd! There are so many wonderful indie authors and I don’t want to
leave anyone out. Although there is one idea I’d love to try: gathering
together a band of women “of a certain age” who write comedy. In Western
culture (mainly), older women are grossly underestimated and fairly invisible.
Or we’re stereotyped as menopausal “cougars.” I’d love to be part of an anthology
of real women who make people spit tea across their keyboards. (Editor's note: Go to the links at the bottom and contact Laurie if you fit the bill.)
Is
there anyone you’d like to give a mention?
I’ve gotten such
wonderful support from my family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. My fellow
contributing authors at Indies Unlimited have inspired me to be a better writer
and given me great marketing and promotion tips. My writing friends - you know
who you are - have helped me keep my morale up and poured me lots of virtual
coffee and wine when the going gets tough. And major props to my husband, Paul,
for not running away screaming years ago.
What
is the most misunderstood thing about being an editor versus being a writer?
That being an editor means I’m immune from errors in
my own work. Most writers reach a saturation point in the revision process. Our
brains fill in the missing words and skip over the typos because we’re too
familiar with the story and our sentences. I won’t hit “publish” unless I’ve
had fresh eyes on my manuscript.
What
is in your “to be read” pile right now?
M. Edward McNally’s “Norothian
Cycle” books. I just finished the first in the epic fantasy series (The Sable City) and I’m excited about
the continuing adventure. He’s terrific. Also pulsating on the Kindle are JD
Mader’s short story collection and books by JL Murray, Nancy Lee Parrish,
Yvonne Hertzberger, Susan Wells Bennett, and Janus Gangi. Just to name a few.
Links to Laurie:
Website/blog: http://laurieboris.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LaurieBoris
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4824645.Laurie_Boris
Thanks Laurie!
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