Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Lauralee Bliss!
Linda: Thanks for joining me today. Congratulations
on the release of your latest story as part of the Southern Belle Brides Collection. You’ve been part of several
collections. How did that come about?
Lauralee: I began
writing for Barbour Publishing back in 1997 with my first title, Mountaintop.
Since then I have published over 25 novels and novellas, mostly with this house.
Through my agent and networking with other authors, I was able to tie in to several
collection ideas for Barbour, including The Second Chance Brides, The Southern
Belle Brides, and coming next year, The Erie Canal Brides Collection.
LM: Where did you
find your inspiration for this story?
Lauralee: I have
always been interested in Civil War history since childhood when my brother served
as a reenactor and we traveled as a family to every battlefield. The interest continued
into adulthood, and with my novella, The
Belle of the Congaree, I wanted to portray the aftermath of war and the reunification
of a divided nation. There is so much division today concerning our heritage
that I felt it apropos to write a story that seeks to unite north and south, Union
and Confederate and heal the wounds of battle. And such healing is still needed
today, some 150 years later.
LM: The age old
question for writers – are you a planner or a “pantster,” and what is your
favorite part of the writing process?
Lauralee: I do some
initial planning, but for certain the definition of pantster describes me. It
can be nerve-wracking as I don’t know what will happen when I sit down to write.
But then I allow the Holy Spirit to take control and let my mind go and the storyline
flows. And it always amazes me what comes forth from an initial idea. It’s
never what I had planned! That’s my favorite part of this process—that I can
still be amazed at my stories, knowing God’s hand is in them all.
LM: Research
plays a huge part in any book. Your stories are primarily historic fiction. How
do you conduct your research, and have you learned anything unusual that you
thought “this has to go in the book?
Lauralee: I try to do as much research as I can for
my stories, including on-the-spot research if possible, which adds authenticity.
A good writer friend, Tracie Peterson, also spoke wisely that authors should
verify their research from several sources online not just one. And not rely on
Wikipedia. I also find many good ideas for stories as I travel and visit
historic sites. Long ago I visited Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, heard about the
tuberculosis hospital built inside the cave on a cave tour and knew I HAD to write
about it. And so I did.
LM: You’ve been
writing for a while. How did you get started as a writer, and how did you
decide to seek publication?
Lauralee: I debuted my books back in 1997, basing a
novel on a favorite topic of mine – hiking, as I am an avid hiker. I also love
to visit historic sites and writing stories with a historical focus. Back in
the early nineties, I sent out many proposals and SASEs – and received many rejections
in return. But I did not give up. It was my calling. I believed in it. I attended
some conferences and researched to find out what publishers were buying. At that
time Barbour had a very successful monthly book club, Heartsong Presents. I joined
the book club, studied the writing and submitted. And there I landed my first contract.
In 2017 I celebrated twenty years of publishing books for the adventurous at
heart!
LM: Okay, here
are some quickies:
Lauralee:
Favorite color: rose
Favorite vacation spot: Anywhere
on a trail J
Favorite movie: Lord
of the Rings trilogy. Who cannot love the idea of two hikers on an adventure! J
LM: LOL. What is
your next project?
Lauralee: I just completed
a novella for Barbour’s Erie Canal Brides Collection, set along the famous
waterway that revolutionized our nation, releasing next spring. I am also finishing
my nonfiction work about my adventures hiking the entire Florida Trail, set to
release in 2019 through WhiteFire Publishing.
LM: Where can folks
find you on the web?
Lauralee:
Website: http://www.lauraleebliss.com
Twitter: @LauraleeBliss
Book Info:
The Southern Belle
Brides Collection, where seven sweet and sassy ladies of yesterday
experience romance in the southern states.
In my novella The
Belle of the Congaree, Mason Bassinger reluctantly travels to war-torn
South Carolina, seeking lands his carpetbagger brother can buy. Elisa Anderson
barely survives after her family’s plantation is destroyed. She welcomes visits
by the handsome and wealthy Mason, who makes the cottage by the Congaree feel
like a home. But when Mason’s true purpose is revealed, will her heart be
broken by betrayal?
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D46DP5K
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