AUTHOR INTERVIEW - L.M. PRUITT

What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?

L.M. Pruitt—I was born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida and still live there.

Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?

I don’t think I actually had an idea of what I wanted to be. I was always wanting to be something different. Doctor, lawyer, victim advocate…I think the only common link was I wanted to help people in some way. It just took me a while to realize the best way for me to do that was by being a writer.

Do you work another job as well as your writing work?

Absolutely—I definitely don’t believe in being a starving artist, lol. I’ve been waiting tables for the past eight years. Hopefully, I’m going to do one more football season and then retire from the food service industry.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20 words what would you say?

My latest release is Shades of Desire, the second book in the Jude Magdalyn series. In 20 words or less—Jude continues to learn how to lead the Covenant while dealing with the latest threat in New Orleans. Whew—did it with two words to spare!

Who is your publisher? or do you self publish?

I’m with Red Hot Publishing, a small publishing co-op based out of Virginia.

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?

I’m all over the place. I’ve spent six months on a book, just pieces here and there. I’ve written hard and fast for two weeks, put it away, then come back and finished it up in another four weeks. So, it all depends.

What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?

I’d definitely say I’ll be sticking with the same genre. It’s what I most like to read and I think it has the possibility for a lot of growth.

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

One of the things I always have is a plan for another book, lol. I’m in the middle of finishing up the second book in the Moon Rising series, Harvest Moon Rising, before moving on to the next Jude book, Shades of Blood. After that, there will be another Frankie Post book and another Jude book before I devote 2013 to one series.

Do you have a favourite out of the books you have written? If so why is it your favourite?

I’d have to say Taken: A Frankie Post Novel. It’s smart, sexy, and a fun ride.

How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?

I’ve always written, even as far back as middle school, where my friends and I would trade a notebook back and forth writing crazy, convoluted plot lines. Different things and different people inspire me—sometimes it’s just as simple as a throwaway comment in a conversation I overheard.

Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?

I wish! I feel like things would be so much easier if I was that set in my way, lol. It really all depends on my mood and how my work load is. Sometimes I write at home, sometimes I just go anywhere but home—whatever I need to do to get the words out.

Do you have anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officially release them? ie. Your partner, children, friends, reviewers you know?

I have a few people who beta read for me, and I’ve had the same crit partner for almost four years now. In addition, I usually put out a call for beta readers a few weeks before I finish a book, so I have lots of opinions.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?

Yes! I’ll admit to being obsessive about it. Reviews are definitely for readers, but they also provide insight into what is or isn’t working for readers, which I can incorporate into edits and new material.

What was the toughest review you have ever had?

I won’t go into details. But it was brutal. I honestly wanted to give up for a bit, not because the reviewer didn’t like the material, but simply because of how the opinion was presented. That’s the downside to reading your reviews—they can really sting.

Would you ever ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about your book/books?

No, absolutely not. Like I stated above, it’s the reviewer’s opinion and they’re absolutely entitled to it.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?

Title, then book. That’s just how I roll, lol.

How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?

Sometimes it’s just spur of the moment, whatever name pops in my head. Other times, as in the case of Jude, there’s a bit of research behind it.

Have you ever based characters on people you know or based events on things that have happened to you?

Definitely. Casey Lynn, a character in Taken, is based off a friend and co-worker. And while a number of the events in Shades of Desire haven’t happened to me, they are based off actual events and documented history.

What is your favourite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?

I don’t have any favourite books. There are so many amazing books and writers, I couldn’t possibly choose.

Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favourite/worst book to movie transfer?

Sometimes. I just saw The Hunger Games, and thought it was very faithful.

Worst adaption ever? Relic, by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. Horrible.

Are there any New Authors you are interested in for us to watch out for? and Why should we watch out for them?

Shea MacLeod, author of the Morgan Bailey Series and the Dragon Wars series. She’s been my crit partner for years, and is just flat out awesome.

Do you or would you ever use a pen name?

Only in the sense of using my initials and not my full name, lol.

If you could invite three favourite writers to dinner, who would you invite and enjoy chatting with?

Mira Grant, Nora Roberts, and Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child (they’re a team, I can’t break them up!)

Thankyou for taking the time to take part in this Interview!