To start the year in style, I decided I want to arrange a weekly Author interview. Today it is my absolute honor to welcome one of my best friends and favorite writers LM Stull to my blog. Keep reading for a chance to win a free… yes free copy of A Thirty-Something Girl.
As a horror writer myself, I simply have to ask this question first.
- 1. What is your favorite scary movie.
The Exorcist!! (EEP!). Oh em gee, when her head starts spinning around and projectile vomiting. Good god!
2. If you could be any character in fiction, whom would you be?
Ooh that’s a tough one! I would have to say Atticus Finch! Is it weird that I picked a guy??
3. What is your favorite color
Black and pink and white… um, I can pick three, right? J
When I was younger I got kicked out of my English class for using this classic excuse. The only thing was for me it was true.
4. Has the dog ever eaten your manuscript?
Nope, but she’s peed on it. Not kidding! (Don’t worry, it was an extra copy and I trashed it!)
5. What do you consider your biggest failure?
Well, I’m not a big fan of looking at things as failures. At least not anymore, that is. I used to think the fact that I’d wasted so much of my 20s being unhappy and not being who I really wanted to be. But, I’ve come to learn that if I hadn’t experienced what I did, I may not be the person who I am today. And I like this person.
I like that, it is a very healthy way of looking at things.
6. Do you laugh at your own jokes?
Unfortunately, I do. Which is bad. Because they are horrible! haha
7. When you were a child what did you want to be when you were grown up?
A psychiatrist! Specifically, a prison psychiatrist! Ha. I LOVE the mind. Especially, evaluating minds of those individuals who have created heinous crimes.
Me too, the idea of studying the human mind and delving into the criminal psyche is beyond intriguing
8. How do you react to a bad review of one of your books?
Well, I’ve been fortunate enough not to receive my first bad review yet (ACK!). I know it will happen, and I’m okay with it. I realize not everyone is going to love my work. I’m a reader and I don’t love all books. I’m a pretty easy going gal and I work with lawyers, so I’ve got pretty thick skin. When I do get criticism, I try to take it in, evaluate it and see if there is anything I can learn from it.
Okay, let’s change it up a little bit
9. What’s your favorite fruit?
Ooh mangos!!! Mmmm yummy!
10.What’s the most blatant lie you’ve ever told?
The most blatant lie I ever told was to myself. That I was happy. For many years.
11. What is the biggest sacrifice you have made for your writing?
I don’t think I’ve made any sacrifices for writing, actually. I try to keep my world as balanced as possible and not overdo it. I make sure to spend time with the people who matter most in my life, as well as take some time to just relax and do other non-writing things. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and business of it all, but I do try to keep my schedule under control.
12. What inspired you to write your first book?
My own life. While A Thirty-Something Girl is not entirely like my own life, the emotional journey that Hope and Sam undergo is a very personal one to me. This story is about real life and real moments, and it came from a very special part of my heart.
13. A Thirty Something Girl was one of my top three books of 2011, so tell us, what are you planning as a follow up?
I can’t speak too much about my next book, as it is only just coming to fruition, but rest-assured, it’s another literary tale of life and all the many lessons we can learn from it.
Secretive… now I am intrigued.
14. What books have most influenced your life most?
The single most influential piece of literature in my life is As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner. The man was a genius and although my writing pales in comparison to his, his words continue to inspire me to this day.
I probably shouldn’t admit this but I have never read a single piece of Faulkner’s work. I am ashamed of myself. At least I now know what book I should begin with.
15. What was a time in your life when you were really scared?
Between the ages of 25-28. I have no idea what the hell I was doing with my life. I was seriously lost and in a very dark place. I was floating along without a purpose. Lost. Confused and terribly lonely. I live everyday making sure I never go back to the place I was at during that time in my life.
Wow, thanks for those answers. Some of them are certainly deep and quite profound. I always find myself to be one of those people who embody the statement “Do as I say, not as I do.” I can give out good, wholesome advice about life and the like, but when it comes to me, it is a different kettle of fish. You however seem to have it mastered. Thank you so much for being so open and honest with us today.
In case you didn’t think this post could get any better, just keep on scrolling. You are this close to the chance to win a free e-book.
A Thirty-Something Girl
Life has been anything but kind, and everything that can go wrong has. At an age when life should be coming together, and questions should start to be answered, Hope finds herself feeling very alone and terribly confused. As her life spirals out of control, she realizes she needs help. And she needs it quickly. With the love and support of some dear friends, Hope slowly begins to find her true self, and along the way, she meets someone. Someone who makes her feel like living to see another day might just be worth it. But with happiness, comes pain. Pain from a past that simply won’t be forgotten. Walking a dangerously fine line between joy and utter despair, Hope wonders if happy endings really do exist. And if they do, is there one waiting for her?
Amazon, Barnes &Noble, BookieJar, Smashwords and iTunes.
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A Washington, DC native, L.M. Stull spends her days chained to a desk at a law firm in southern Virginia. When she’s not feverishly taking orders from attorneys, she writes. Her stories tell of the human spirit – sometimes sad, sometimes not – most can relate to them on some level or another. A Thirty-Something Girl is her debut novel.
Connect with L.M. on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and her website.
Congratulations, simply by reading this post, you are 50% of the way to victory. At the end of the day (or a couple of days depending on how much work kicks my ass) I will pick the best comment and you win a free e-book copy of A Thirty-Something Girl. Let me post you a question, and the best answer wind.
Q) As I said above, I am very much a Do as I say not as I do kind of guy. So tell me, what is the best piece of advice you give to others that you do not follow yourself?
Official Site of Alex Laybourne - Author 
Thank you dear friend for featuring me on your site.. again! One of the highlights of 2011 for me was getting to know you!
Thank you Lisa. That means a great deal to me. I consider you to be one of my cloests and most cherished friends.
I already have Lisa’s book, so even if my comment is really brilliant in your eyes, please don’t pick me! Here goes:
I’ve told my goddaughter to be patient from the time she was a toddler – the first song I exposed her to was “You Can’t Always Get What you Want” by the Stones. I drilled it into her, and I think she is a pretty patient person today. Me, on the other hand…
Great seeing Lisa here on your site, Alex.
eden
I hear you on that one Eden. I try to teach my kids to be patient but sometimes fail to live up to my own teachings.
A funny one I always think of is with young children and hot drinks. We tell them no don’t touch it’s hot, then while they are still watching we pick it up and take a drink.
Thanks for dropping by,
Hmm… started to answer your question Alex and then I realised I just couldn’t be quite that honest, so for what it’s worth this is the /second/ piece of advice I give but still have trouble taking : follow your passions.
I still lack the courage to be 100% dedicated to my writing. 80% isn’t bad I guess but this one is still a work in progress.
@ L.M.Stull. I am thrilled that someone so young can recognize the need for balance in life. Took me many more years to discover that fundamental truth. Well done!