Hi! Today we have Lynn Vroman, a really talented and energetic author of the Energy Series. Find out more about her and you can know more about her first and latest novel Tainted Energy on my blog.
Introduce yourself.
Hi, Everyone! I'm Lynn Vroman, and I am a young adult author. I'm married and have four amazing kids, three girls and a little guy.
What were you like at school?
Oh, man. I was the shy kid who always tucked a novel inside my textbook—total wallflower status.
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
First, I just want to share my stories with people. My ambition is to connect with others through my characters, and I hope to write something that will have a positive influence. If I can accomplish that, I'll feel extremely satisfied.
Good Luck then! Now, Let's talk about your latest book. What is your latest book? Give an insight into your main character.
Well, my latest book is my debut, Tainted Energy. Lena is the main character, and she's had to deal with issues that are taxing. But she always manages to be strong, even while admitting she is afraid. She's not the popular kid, and she's not too concerned about looks, boys, or social statuses. What she strives to do is fight for her future despite her present.
What does he/she do that makes it special?
What I think makes her special is that she's ordinary, easy to relate to. She has strength and tenacity that hopefully is appealing to young women everywhere.
Yeah! I really loved her character! What is the book about?
Tainted Energy is about a girl who lived before in another world. She was accused of treason, executed, and her energy, or soul, was sent to Earth for punishment. Unfortunately, people from her past life don't feel she was punished enough and come to look for her.
What genre do you write and why.
I write both fantasy and contemporary; however, I usually always write in the young adult age category. I love creating characters who are in their teens or early twenties because this is the period in people's lives where everything becomes exciting, chaotic, confusing, and spectacular. So much is going on internally and externally, and I love putting these types of characters in extraordinary situations.
How much research do you do?
It depends on the project. For the Energy Series, I researched the ideas of pantheism and reincarnation, as this is the foundation of the world I built. I didn't have to research the region Tainted takes place in, as I'm from the area. For other books, such as Summer Confessions, which comes out in 2015, I had to research southern dialect, as well as cultural and social practices of both Tennesseans and Puerto Ricans since my main character in that book is Puerto Rican and lives in Tennessee.
Why do you write?
This will sound silly, but I write because I have to. When I'm not writing, I'm thinking about writing. When I'm not working on a first draft of something new or revising a project, I'm miserable. To the exasperation of my family, whether I'm sitting in front of the keyboard or watching television, my mind is ALWAYS on the story playing out inside my head. It's consuming in a way that the only relief is just to keep pounding on the keyboard.
Do you write full time or part time?
This past summer, I took the plunge and decided to take a stab at writing full time.
Do you write daily, or a specific day in a week or weekends?
I try to write every single day. After I finish a draft, I take a week or two off before starting a new project.
Do you write on paper or computer?
Definitely computer. My writing is so terrible, and I wouldn't be able to read anything I wrote.
What is the hardest thing about writing?
Short answer: Everything. From the plotting, the first sentence, and constructing a plausible story, it's all
difficult.
What is the easiest thing about writing?
I can't think of one easy thing. Man, I wish at least one thing were easy!
Do you ever get writer's block?
Hmm, I guess you could say I do at times, but I don't use it as an excuse not to write. I have a certain word count I set for myself every day, and I meet that goal no matter what. Sometimes the writing isn't all that great, but that's what revision is for.
If your Tainted Energy is a part of series tell us little about it.
It is part of a four-book series. The books follow Lena as she learns more about how the universe really works, while realizing not everyone is happy with the way things are run. For her, the past just refuses to stay in the past, as both new enemies as well as allies seek her out.
How much do you read and who are your favourite authors?
I read all the time. It's what I love to do in my free time. I have so many favorites, but I would have to say a few are James Baldwin, Stephen King, and Kelley Armstrong.
What book are you reading at the moment?
I just finished The Infinite Sea, by Rick Yancey. This is the second book in his 5th Wave trilogy. As with The 5th Wave, this book was excellent So beautifully written and the action kept me captivated right up to the very end.
Do you leave the book for a month and then come back to it to edit?
Absolutely. Many times, I won't open the document for longer than a month. It's always prudent to take time away from the project, stop loving it so much, so you can revise with a critical eye.
Do you think cover plays an important role in buying process?
Definitely, especially when readers are considering new authors.
Advice for other authors on how to market their books.
Socialize and interact with readers. Make yourself available and accommodating. Since most writers I know, including myself, are introverts, this may be a difficult step to take. But I've found it incredibly rewarding.
What do you do to get book reviews? Silly question because I have reviewed for you LOL!
I simply ask bloggers using professionalism. I so admire book bloggers who spend a lot of their free time reading and taking chances on new authors. I can't express how appreciative I am to those individuals.
Do you have a trailer or do you intend to make one for your own book.
At this time, there are no plans for trailers, but who knows? Maybe in the future.
Do you format your own books?
I do not. My awesome publishing house handles all the gory, difficult publishing details.
Your favourite motivational phrase.
“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” ~Stephen King
Your favourite book and why?
There are so many, but I would have to say, if I were forced to pick a favorite, it would be Giovanni's Room, by James Baldwin. For one, Baldwin wrote so beautifully, so lyrically, anything I've ever read from him I fell in love with simply because the man knew how to write. But with Giovanni's Room, written in the late fifties about a gay man who is struggling with self-identity, I felt a real connection with the main character. Baldwin has a way of writing that makes you feel everything his characters are feeling, and with this bold book written in an era where the issues it covered were still completely taboo, I was fascinated and angered and saddened—just all the emotions you want to feel when reading a good book.
Favourite film and why?
At the moment, Silver Linings Playbook is my absolute favorite. Again, for the same reasons I love Giovanni's Room, the movie is all about character. Two ordinary people who survive and flourish despite extraordinary situations just attracted me to it.
Famous person you would like to meet.
Hmm, I think I would love to meet Stephen King.
Advice for aspiring writers.
Read all the time, and find a trusted group of critique partners. Writing is a lonely job, but if you can find a few fellow writers to share with not only will your writing strengthen, you'll make some strong connections and a much-needed circle of support. The writing/publishing business isn't easy and there are many ups and downs. Having people around you who "get it" will make the inevitable rejections, as well as achievements, easier to handle.
Find out more about her:
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Amazon author page
Lynn thank you so much for taking out your time for the interview. It was so awesome interviewing you. Good luck for your career. Happy Reading!
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