Today I’m pleased to welcome Laney Smith, author of the Time Capsule Series. Laney sets her romance in Lock Creek, a small town where people love to gossip and are anything but what they seem!
When Anne Howard moves to the sleepy town of Lock Creek, she thinks she’s found a quiet place to hide from her guilty past; that’s until the gossiping locals prove her wrong. One of the favorite topics of conversation here is the devilishly handsome Sheriff Derrick Decker. With a long line of hopefuls, and despite his resistance to commitment, Derick soon finds himself irresistibly drawn to Anne, but so does a charming firefighter, Trevor Thomas. Shy but sassy Anne finds herself torn between the two men. Is Derrick corrupted as the rumors say? Is Trevor Thomas really the saint he appears to be?
Hello Laney, and welcome to my blog!
Thank you for the invitation, Fros. It’s great to be here!
Tell us, Laney, do you see yourself in any of the characters of Lock Creek? And do any of them have traits you wish you had?
I think it is a little of both. I tried to create a world filled with people I would want to know. You have to have the people you don’t want to know, also. Otherwise, it is too unbelievably perfect and disturbing. Therefore, I wrote the antagonists to be everything that puts me off. I like to think I’m nothing like them, and I don’t value their traits. Having said that, I think you have to put some of yourself in them, too, since they represent everything you don’t want to be.
Are there any hobbies or interests that you enjoy in your spare time?
There are so many things. I’ll narrow it down to three: spending time with family and friends, just about anything outside (just being out of the house), and going to sporting events.
What are you working on at the moment? Tell us a little about your current project(s).
There is a fifth book in the works for the Time Capsule Series. I have a murder mystery that will be coming out. I have quite a few love stories that I’m working on. It is somewhat non-stop. I just roll with whatever pops up and I work with that until something else happens. It is fun and I’m really excited to see what the New Year brings.
Which are your favorite authors, and what do you love about them?
I like Nicholas Sparks because his stories are just beautiful. I like other stories, but The Notebook is probably my favorite. I also like Stephen King because his stories freak me out and mess with my head. He has his own style, and somehow, he has managed to hold on to that. I also respect the fact that he is kind enough to pass along encouraging and motivating words of wisdom for other authors.
What genres do you read mostly, and what are you reading now?
I like reading non-fiction, criminal psychology books. I wanted to be a criminal psychologist, so I read the true crime type books and that feeds that interest a little. I like mystery and suspense. I also have an appreciation for books that make you question the reality you know, as with Stephen King’s books. I enjoy anything that engages your mind. For me, if it is believable and realistic, I probably want to read it. As far as what I’m currently reading, I read on Sundays. I start a book when I wake up and usually finish them before I go to bed. I have a few on my TBR list. So, we’ll see what comes up. I recently downloaded “The Necklace of Goddess Athena.” Maybe I need to read that one next.
LOL – thank you, Laney, it’s an honor you chose one of mine. Do you have any advice for other indie authors?
Many authors are indie for reasons of their own. Not every author is indie because they weren’t “good enough.” So, to think that you don’t have to be as good as traditionally published authors is a tragic gamble. Actually, you should try to be better. Many readers have no clue what the difference is between traditional and indie. They couldn’t care less. You are an author with a published book, and they have expectations built around that fact. If you are the first indie author they ever read, be the standard that the others are held to. Being indie isn’t a crutch. It’s a challenge to do it better. If we don’t see it that way, why would anyone else?
Well said! What do you enjoy the most as an indie author that you imagine you wouldn’t if you were traditionally published? If you had a choice would you still go indie?
I love being an indie author. There are benefits to both routes. I write under a different name and I’ve signed with a publisher under that name. I have experience in both realms. There are benefits to both sides of the coin. However, with indie, you don’t have to have approval to do anything. You do what works for you. When you’re indie, you pick the cover art. The publisher told me they would show me the final cover once it is completed. With indie, you can be who you truly are. When I’m representing the publisher, I’m like their character and I have a part to play. Don’t get me wrong. That is kind of fun. It is just two different sets of rules. Both have benefits. I have now seen both sides. I have released a book, as an indie author, since signing with a publisher. I have no regrets for either decision. I have learned a lot with both options.
Good luck with that, Laney. Sounds exciting and very promising. Describe your workstation. Are there any favorite objects you have there for inspiration?
I have a desk that I usually work at. If that isn’t working for me, I will take the computer and go sit outside on the patio. As far as inspiration – my boys are watching. I have to do this so they can see that I bust it to do this. But, when the hard work pays off, it is a lesson for them, I hope. I also have different things that inspire specific characters, settings and scenes. Sometimes, it is a photo, a person, or a song. Sometimes it comes from the most unexpected things and in the most unexpected ways. However it happens, I am always thankful for that inspiration.
You have two beautiful children there, Laney. I bet they inspire you endlessly to keep on trying. Do you listen to music while you write and if so, what kind?
I do! I listen to just about everything, so my playlists look like I’m in the middle of some kind of crisis. I have had scenes that were inspired by a song. A song inspired the most heart-breaking scene I’ve ever written. That scene is in Lock Creek: Time of Death. The scene unfolded as though I were watching a movie screen as the song played. I’m pretty sure I will never be the same, ever! I like it when that happens. That scene broke my heart. I can laugh at myself for that. It is silly, maybe. However, I feel for those characters in the same way I do for other people that I care about. I know that music helps me write a lot. Even if it is just to set a certain mood or whatever, I think it is necessary.
Tell us about your website/blog. What will readers find there?
My website is http://www.authorlaneysmith.com. I have a lot of fun photos from various events. There is a listing for almost every interview or article. There is a web store where you can order signed or personalized copies of the books I have written or am currently involved with. There is a blog with a few postings. I think there’s an event calendar there somewhere. Of course, there is a contact form and causes I support. It has just about anything anyone would ever need. So, stop by, say hi.
Thank you for your time, Laney. It’s been wonderful to have you.
Thank you so much, Fros, it’s been a pleasure.
Laney Smith has enjoyed writing her entire life. She had her first poem published in 1995. Since then, she has written multiple stories for local newspapers. She is the proud mother of two wonderful, brilliant and talented young men and has two younger brothers. Though she currently resides in California, she has lived in places such as Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi and Colorado. This has given Laney an exciting opportunity to experience aspects of life that she uses to create settings, characters, and even ideals. Through the encouragement of friends and family, Laney has now decided to pursue her hobby on a more serious level. Thus, “One Year’s Time” was born (the first book in the Time Capsule Series) and it is with great pride that she brings this fun story to you.
Visit Laney’s Amazon page US UK
Visit Laney’s website
https://www.facebook.com/oneyearstime
http://www.twitter.com/OYTLaneySmith
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8411874.Laney_Smith
http://www.pinterest.com/AuthrLaneySmith/
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