Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it
part of a series?
Destiny
Fulfilled is my debut release, and it’s brimming with romance,
fantasy, intriguing characters like immortal druids and faeries, and a great
battle of good versus evil. Lord of the Rings, the movie trilogy (I liked the books
too, but the movies are my all-time favorite), was definitely a hefty
inspiration in guiding me to push boundaries, to open my imagination, to create
a magical world readers want to lose themselves in. It is not part of a series
at this time, but I am always open to the possibilities.
Do you have a favorite character?
My favorite character has to be Riagan Tenman, the immortal
warrior druid/hero who oozes sex appeal like an enticing scent. His character
starts off as crass and shallow, but he changes in the most endearing, often
humorous way. After Riagan, it’s a tie between Wren, the heroine, and her
mother, Annie. Then throw in Wren’s beloved bloodhound, Duke, and it’s a cast
of characters that will always be dear to my heart.
Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve
your writing?
I have tried critique groups in the past, and have always
valued the feedback, but I find I have trouble sticking with it. Either it’s my
critique partner who fizzles as life gets in the way, or it’s me, as my life
gets in the way. I am a very quiet, introverted person by nature and do better
when I operate on my own. That being said, I have dear writerly friends who
will read for me when I ask them to and will provide feedback. I also just
started working with a professional editor who is helping me with my next novel
because I’m stuck and I can’t figure out how to get myself out of the muck. I
do recommend multiple eyes see a manuscript, whether it’s a formal critique
group, friends who beta read (and provide honest feedback!), or hired
professionals.
What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do
you like silence?
I am an avid devotee to Pandora, and the music station I
always listen to when I write is the Hayley Westenra station. She’s a singer
from New Zealand, similar to Celtic Woman and Josh Groban. Something about the
lyrical tone of her voice takes my scattered, disorganized mind and lays a path
to focus and motivation. I’ve been listening to this station for over five
years. Creature of habit, I guess, but if it works, why mess with it?!
Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes
you?
I do not outline, though I often wish I did! I usually have
an idea of where I’m starting, where I’m going, and where I’ll end up. The rest
is flying by the seat of my proverbial pants and letting my mind do what it
does best-create.
Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before
publishing?
Yes! Even if your publisher provides editing, it’s not a bad
idea to have a content/developmental editor in your back pocket, as well as a
copy editor. If you’re in the querying agents stage, it’s worth it to pay for
these services before submitting to ensure your manuscript is the best it can
be (they can be very expensive, though, especially to someone just starting
out). One of my dear friends landed an agent this way, so it’s something to
think about. Remember, it’s a highly competitive world and putting your best
foot forward at the beginning is essential.
Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between
marketing your current book and writing your next book?
I am terrible at marketing. Absolutely terrible. I am
introverted to a fault and find it very difficult to promote myself. I’m
happiest and most content when I’m creating new content, but that doesn’t sell
books, now does it? Becoming comfortable with marketing is a necessity that
cannot be overvalued. There are thousands upon thousands of authors in the
world now, and yes, you’re competing with every single one of them. If they
market better than you do, it doesn’t matter if your story is better. They’ll
get the exposure, and likely, the sales. I need to take my own advice, don’t
I?!
What advice would you give a new author just entering into
the self-publishing arena?
I would recommend the critique group, and not just friends.
Friends and family are often not as lethally honest as they need to be. Join or
form a critique group and take the advice to heart (whether or not you use it).
Join a writer’s community. I belong to Romance Writers of America (RWA) and
Women’s Fiction Writers. Not only do these organizations expose you to other
like-minded people, but they offer workshops and these are vital to learning
and improving the writing craft.
Some fun facts about you, which do you prefer – dogs or
cats? Chocolate or vanilla? Coffee or Tea? Talk or Text? Day or Night?
Hmm…fun facts about me. I’ll fire off a list like a
lightening-round in a game show:
Dogs or cats: Dogs all the way!
Chocolate or vanilla: What’s
vanilla?
Coffee or tea: Coffee in the
morning; matcha green tea in the afternoon.
Talk or text: Text. Text. Text.
Introvert all the way.
Day or night: I’m most productive
in the morning, but I do love to sleep. Let’s call it a tie.
Adult or YA literature: Any and
all. I love to read.
Library or book store: Library…and
book store if I have the budget for the books I want to buy.
Bike or drive: Drive. Like a
maniac.
Computer or pen and paper: Pen and
paper, though computer is too convenient.
Meatballs or tofu: Tofu.
The Great British Baking Show or
NFL: The Great British Baking Show (I’m currently watching reruns).
Hug or handshake: Hug every time.
What’s next for you?
Love on
the Ridge, a contemporary women’s fiction novel, releases through BHC
Press in 2019. It’s book #1 in the Wildflower Ridge Series. The trilogy is set
in beautiful West Virginia, where I was born and raised, and figures
prominently in all three books. It’s a tale of young love gone awry, with a
chance to make amends, and a future, when life forces them to reunite as
adults.
Thank you so much for hosting me today. Cheers! Laire
Destiny Fulfilled
Laire McKinney
Publication date: August 7th 2018
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Only love can save them…
Wren O’Hara is waiting for the day she succumbs to mental illness like her mother. When she is attacked by a psychotic client at work, and saved by what must be an angel, she fears the time for insanity has come.
Little does she know, her savior is an immortal warrior druid named Riagan Tenman, and that he will challenge everything she ever thought she knew about reality.
Now Wren must decide if the fantasy unfolding before her is true, or if she has finally lost her mind.
Author Bio:
Laire McKinney is the author of contemporary and fantasy women’s fiction. She believes in a hard-earned happily-ever-after, with nothing more satisfying than passionate kisses and sexy love scenes, endearing characters and complex conflict. When not writing, she can be found traipsing among the wildflowers, reading under a willow tree, or gazing at the moon while pondering the meaning of it all. She lives in Virginia with her family and beloved rescue pup, Lila da Bean.
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