Today I am speaking with Lauren Sharman.

Hi Lauren! Welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews! It is great to have you with us today. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to visit with us. The readers would love to hear something about Lauren Sharman.

Lauren, I must tell you that I read, ‘Growing Up Little’ and loved every minute of it. The book was awesome. I believe you have a short story in the Hate Anthology coming out in August with some other writers at Whiskey Creek Press? Would you like to tell us about it?

Thanks for the compliment, Linda! Growing Up Little is very special to me, and it’s wonderful to hear how much everyone is enjoying it. And I’d love to give a description of HER SHADOW!

Since she was a child, Dalton has been Scarlet’s shadow—standing behind her, as a friend, confidant, and protector.

In the pre-dawn of a muggy, summer morning, he arrives in time to pull Scarlet from a burning house, but is too late to stop the assailant who attacked the family—disfiguring Scarlet and murdering her parents.

Scared into silence and unwilling to relive that horrible moment, Scarlet is keeping her feelings inside, refusing to speak.

Unless Dalton can get Scarlet—the one person who has always accepted him for who he is—to open up, he knows the fear and terror slowly consuming her will eventually take over.

What is a typical day like for you?

My days begin early during the week, which is 5:45am when my husband Joey gets up for work. I always begin by sitting down at the computer and checking and returning emails. When I’m finished, I get my daughter, Chloe, ready for school, and walk her down to the end of the driveway to wait for the bus. While she’s in school, I workout, do anything that needs to be done around the house, then cross my fingers and hope I have time to write. Chloe doesn’t get home until almost 4pm, so after that, we take care of homework, dinner, and get everything ready to start the next day!

What does your working space look like?

Before our recent move, I had a desk set up in the corner of my bedroom. There were shelves hanging on the wall to the right, and a bulletin board directly in front—covered in pictures of things that inspire me. Most of the time, though, I’d plug in my laptop, make myself comfortable on the sofa, and type away! Since we’re still getting settled, I have discovered that sitting on my bed is an extremely comfortable place to write. I’d never done it before, but right now I settle in with my laptop, cat, and phone (just in case it rings!), and have gotten a lot of great writing done there!

Do you outline your stories or do you just write as you go?

I always write as I go. I’ve even been known to change the plot in the middle of the book!

>From what do you derive the most inspiration for your writing?

My husband, Joey, is very inspiring! In fact, there’s a little bit of him in all my heroes. He’s a big, tough, rugged guy, and has so many great qualities. I also draw inspiration from music, stories I hear about events in people’s lives, and, believe it or not, scenery. By, that I mean anything that catches my eye. I could be driving down the road, see a farm house with a barn behind it, a pond out front, and a few trucks parked in a gravel driveway, and think to myself, “Wow, what a great place have a story begin!” Sometimes I can even picture in my mind what the characters are doing.

Since everybody needs a break, even when doing something they love, how do you like to spend your time away from writing?

I have lots of extra-curricular activities! One of my favorites is cruising in my 1969 SS Chevelle. Joey built it for me; and we spend a lot of time in the summer going to cruise-ins and car shows. I also love going out to see live music, and indulging in a meal of steamed crabs (here in Maryland, they are a staple in my diet during the summer!)

Do you feel as if the characters live with you as you write? Do they haunt your dreams?

Oh yes! I get extremely attached to all my characters. When I’m writing a book, the characters become very real for me. I think about them, talk about them, and even wonder what they would be saying or doing if they were sitting right there with me. This part sort of goes along with the inspiration question, but I also do something very unique when writing a book. . .I always have something material that belongs to the hero in my story. For example, in Her Shadow, Dalton always wore a St. Florian (the patron saint of firefighters) medal because his father was a fireman. I actually went out and bought a St. Florian medal. While I was writing the story, I’d look at it, hold it, etc. It made me feel like Dalton was real; like he was there in the room and had just taken the necklace off and given it to me.

How has being published changed your life, if at all?

Being published hasn’t really changed my life. I’m very proud of myself, though, for accomplishing something so many people have told me they’ve always wanted to do. I love sharing my stories with others, and being published has made that possible.

Who would you like to pen a book with, living or dead?

Hmm. . .can I choose two?

The first one is S.E. Hinton. She is best known for her YA novel, The Outsiders. We each write stories that are male character driven, and between the bad boy characters we both come up with, I think we could write an amazing novel.

Second is Cindy Holby. I absolutely love her western historical, WIND, series. We met at Celebrate Romance when it was in Baltimore last year, and clicked right away. Having the chance to create a work of art with someone who’s writing I admire so much would be very exciting!

What would you like to accomplish with your writing career?

I’m glad you asked this question. The explanation is a bit long, but one I’d like to share.

I enjoy creating ‘real’ characters that readers can identify with. My heroes are all blue collar men who work for a living and get their hands dirty. Some of them are wild and don’t always make the best decisions, but in the end, they’re all good men. None of my female characters are perfect. They’re not all a tiny size 2, they don’t come from wealthy families, and most of them have a thing or two in their past that have affected the people they are today.

When I read a book, the story is much more enjoyable if I feel like I have some connection with the characters. I like to be able to say, “Hey, I did that once!” Or, “I’ve been there.” Or even, “I’ve felt just like that.”

These stories may be fictitious, but to me, throwing a little reality into the mix is important; it makes the story that much more believable. I never want someone to be reading one of my books and say, “Yeah, right, like that could ever happen.”

So what do I hope to accomplish with my writing??? Creating a solid, gripping page-turner, readers will not only appreciate, but not be able to put down, because they can identify with one or more aspects of the story.

What is the biggest misconception about being an author?

That just because we’re published, we’re wealthy.

When did you decide to take "pen in hand" and write with the intent to publish?

I’ve always enjoyed writing, and had been writing short stories, just for fun, since I was a kid. Four years ago, I was sitting in the sofa flipping stations on the TV, when a song on one of the music channels made me stop. As I watched the video and listened to the lyrics, a picture formed in my mind, and the plot for Growing Up Little was born. I immediately went to the kitchen and sat down at the computer. Two months later, I had a complete novel. It doesn’t usually happen that fast, though. But in this case, the words came to me faster than I could type them.

Do you have any special rituals to help you get in the mood to write?

When I write, I need total peace and quiet. No TV, no radio, and no background noise. . .I even turn off the ceiling fan. It’s odd, I know. But that’s the only way I can completely dive into my story and become part of it.

How do you know what to name your books or the characters?

With me, naming books is hit or miss. Sometimes the titles pop into my head before I’ve completed the first chapter. Other times, as my husband and critique partners will tell you, I’ll drive all of them crazy begging for suggestions!

Naming characters is a different story. I’ve never had trouble with my hero’s names. I love for them to be unique. For example, in NO WORRIES, the romantic suspense I have coming out in October from Whiskey Creek Press, the three brother’s names are Blackie, Judd, and Rebel McCassey. (NO WORRIES is Rebel’s story. Blackie’s story is complete, and I’m about ¼ of the way through Judd’s.) Heroine’s names have always been more difficult. I like for them to be unique as well, but often find myself changing them a time or two before I complete the manuscript. Rebel’s heroine’s name is Gypsy. Blackie’s is Angel, and Judd’s, for the moment, is still undecided!

Do you have any bad writing habits?

Yes! I have a terrible habit of rereading my work too much. It’s taken me a long time to learn that once I’ve submitted something to a contest or publisher, I should just set it aside and forget about it. Up until recently, I used to sit down and read the submissions a few weeks after I sent them. Inevitably, I’d always find something I wanted to change and make better, which drove me crazy. I’ve stopped doing that, but it hasn’t been easy!

Any secret indulgences or secrets you would love to share with your readers that no one knows?

Believe it or not, my secret indulgence is reading. I love, love, love to read! Unfortunately, I tend to get so wrapped up in a book that I won’t put it down, which keeps me from writing. So. . .my reward to myself each time I finish a manuscript is to read a few books. It’s a nice, relaxing way to wind down.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I’d just like to say thanks to everyone for all the support they’ve given me in my writing career. I’m always interested in reader’s opinions and comments, so feel free to email me! I can be reached at LaurenSharman@adelphia.net or through my website, which is listed below.

Do you have a website other than www.LaurenSharman.com that you would like to share with your readers?

That’s the only website I have right now.

To order my books, please visit www.WhiskeyCreekPress.com

If you’re interested in learning more about my local RWA Chapter, The Maryland Romance Writers, visit www.MarylandRomanceWriters.org.

Thank you so much for sharing time with us today, Lauren. Anyone interested in reading more about Lauren and her magnificent books, please visit her website to read more about her great works. It has been a pleasure Lauren, and I wish you the best with your writing.

Thanks, Linda!

Interviewed by: Linda L