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Interviewing Author Laura Drake








1. Tell me about yourself?

I was a career CFO (corporate bean-counter), but I’ve been a reader since I could walk. It never occurred to me that I could be an author – they’re way smart!  But one day on the back of my husband’s motorcycle, a dog ran out in the road in front of us (no dogs – or humans – were harmed) and it gave me an idea for a book, a romance, that wouldn’t leave me alone. I sat in front of the computer with the blinking cursor for a year – who was I to think I could write? One day I looked down and realized I had a delete key. I could write the story to get it out of my head and then junk it. No one would know how bad I stunk!

But when I typed ‘the end’ a year later, I had a new goal. A book in my hands, with MY name on the cover! It took 3 books and 417 rejections, but I did it! And it was worth it – that first book (The Sweet Spot) won the RITA for Best First Book in 2013. If you’re not familiar, the RITA is the equivalent of the Oscar! My latest, #12, Cowboy for Keeps, released in July from Grand Central. 


2.What are your favorite books to read?

Wow, that’s tough. There are very few genres I DON’T like!  But mostly I read Women’s Fiction. And romance. And courtroom thrillers. And….



3. When did you decide you were going to write a book?

Answered above.


4. How did you come up with the name of your book?

Because I sold to a New York publisher, I didn’t get to keep most of the titles I had! They used only two: My first, The Sweet Spot, and my July release, Cowboy for Keeps.


5. What are you working on for 2021

A project I’m in love with – a Grandma Road-Trip story I call, The Road to Me.  

Here’s the blurb: Trouble with the Curve meets Peace, Love, and Misunderstanding.

Third generation Jacqueline Oliver was born to be a hippie; she resisted. Through a series of odd events, she finds herself with the hippie grandmother she despises on a Route 66 road trip that could save her business and answer the questions from her damaged past. Or drive her crazy.


6. How long have you been writing?

A long time! Maybe the 1990’s sometime?


7.What advice would you give other authors?

If you’re just starting out, don’t worry about getting an agent or selling, or anything else you have no control over. It’ll freak you out, and honestly, it won’t matter – if you don’t finish the book first! Focus on that. Also, just enjoy the writing. Big wins are few and far between, so you’ll give up if you don’t love the writing first.


8. Where can people find you online?

I’m on Twitter: @LauraDrakeBooks

And Instagram: LauraDrakeBooks

But my happy place is Facebook! I maxed out my ‘friends, so I started a group, Laura Drake’s Peace, Love & Books. Come join me for coffee memes, snark, inspiration, and beauty pics! Oddballs will find a home, promise!   https://www.facebook.com/groups/753367188406020


9. What is your favorite coffee drink?

I couldn’t live without coffee. But I’m old-school. Folgers with a Sweet ‘n Low makes me happy. I just stand staring at Starbucks. I just want a regular cup of coffee big enough to swim in – and it’s not on the menu! (told you I was an oddball).


10. What is your favorite coffee shop?

My Keurig, right here in my office!


11. Do you plan on making a new book in the future?

I always say, if I’m breathing, I’m writing!


12. How many books have you written?

Lucky 13 so far!


13. Did you go to college to be a writer?

Oh heck no! That’s one of the wonderful things about writing – no one has to approve you to do it! My degree is in accounting.

Thank you for the opportunity!
Laura

'Ordinary women at the edge of extraordinary change'
2014 RITA® winner - Best First Book
www.LauraDrakeBooks.com  @LauraDrakeBooks  

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