Featured Interview With Laney Smith
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born at St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock, Arkansas. I grew up in Texarkana, Texas and moved to Colorado in my early teen years. I lived there until I moved to a little town, south of Memphis, Tennessee called Walls, Mississippi. Then, I moved back to Colorado and currently live in Southern California. I do have pets. I have three kitties – Gizmo, Bear and Splat. I’m not a cat person at all. So, it works out pretty well because none of the three of them know they’re cats.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve enjoyed writing my entire life. At various stages in my life, I’ve had friends that encouraged me to write a book. It’s come from so many different places at various times throughout my life. So, I finally decided there has to be something to that. I have started so many books as the years have gone by. Nothing ever took hold. But, with Lock Creek: One Year’s Time, the words started flowing and they just wouldn’t stop. I wrote that one by hand. When I finished writing it, I actually had two books. So, the first two in the series were written in two of those five subject, spiral notebooks. All my attempts before – it just wasn’t time, for whatever reason. The words started flowing and there’s so much behind this series that I realize now, it was just meant to be. I can’t make the words stop, now. I’m so thankful for that. I want to entertain people. I like to sing, but that doesn’t mean I’m good at it. I like to pretend and I can pull off a pretty good joke. Beyond that, I’m not much of an actress. So, I get to tell fun stories. This is what I was born to do.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I like to read Nicholas Sparks and Stephen King. I don’t have a favorite genre. I also like reading true crime stories. I read erotica, sometimes. I’m all over the board. I participated in The Roses anthology with five other ladies. Those five women are amazing authors and I’m honored to have worked alongside them for that project. We did that project to raise money for cystic fibrosis. So, it’s inspiring when people come together and use their talents for a cause. Every one of those stories will pull your heart strings and I like that. I like to “feel” something when I read. Those stories get me. Aside from that, I have friends, family and readers that constantly encourage me. I have fellow authors that support me. I’m truly one of the luckiest people. I have a very strong support system. I have readers that end up being “friends.” That happens a lot, actually. So, that’s inspiring. There’s a lot of magic with this series and this entire experience, really. It’s like nothing I could’ve ever even wished for.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
The latest book is a horror novel. My youngest son wanted a book that makes him feel like some of his favorite scary movies. He kept reading books and getting discouraged because he’s looking for a certain punch. So, I decided I could write one for him. He loves it. But, it’s about a family that moves into an old plantation home. I don’t want to ruin anything, but there’s an antique wheelchair that is a bit problematic. The man of the house thinks he’s going to drive a ghost out of his new house, only to discover there’s so much more to it than one simple ghost. There’s ghosts, demons, secret passages, the wheelchair, a pond, psychics, voodoo, the talking dead… This one has so many creepy elements to it. My son reads it and he just gets more excited about it. So, I’m guessing that I found something that makes his hair stand up. Mission accomplished. It’s strange because it’s not the genre I typically write. But, my friend and fellow author, Alex Black gave me a nudge and convinced me I could do it. It’s due to be released before Halloween. So, we’ll see soon enough. But, I’m proud of it. It’s unnerving. It’ll give you chills.
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