Let’s Get Lit: Laura Kemp discusses her debut novel and favorite fandoms

Welcome to “Let’s Get Lit!” on PureFandom.com. Here we will chat with an author about their work and their
favorite fandom things! This edition of LGL will feature Laura Kemp, author of EVENING IN THE YELLOW WOOD! Laura gives us the scoop on her new novel, her latest fandom favorites and her advice for writers!

Meg Bonney: What can you tell us about your upcoming novel, Evening in the Yellow Wood?  

Laura Kemp: It’s a paranormal mystery/ suspense/ romance etc… set in Northern Michigan and loosely based on a summer I lived up there. Minus all the paranormal happenings, of course!

 MB: Where and when can people find your book?

LK: Dec. 12^th and will be available in both EBook and Print on Amazon.

MB: There is a supernatural element to this book as well. What kind of powers and supernatural elements were the hardest to write?

LK:  Probably figuring out a way to convey how the characters speak to each other in their minds, such as this character says this… then this one says that… because I don’t use quotations. I settled on one character talking in all caps and one in all caps with bold lettering. So far there hasn’t been too much confusion. Fingers Crossed!

MB: This story takes place in Michigan, where you live. Are there locations real or just inspired by your home state?

LK: Lantern Creek is based on the small town I lived in up north in Presque Isle County- so all the places actually exist. Some of the characters are based on real people, too!

MB: What is your favorite supernatural novel or TV show?

LK: Stranger Things!! Just went to StrangerCon Nashville with my daughter and met some of the cast and it was amazing.  As far as novels- anything by Stephen King. Especially Pet Semetary – because as a parent, that one cuts to the bone.

MB: There is also a mystery woven into this story. What can you tease about that?  

LK: Let’s just say that most of the characters are connected in a way the readers will (hopefully) never see coming! Nothing is just a coincidence in this book.

MB: We all get way too into our fandoms here at PureFandom.com. What fandom makes you geek out the most? (A book, movie or TV show) 

LK: Well… I love Outlander but I have to be careful not to watch when my littles are around. Stranger Things obviously and I’ve just started Riverdale.  LOVE IT!!

MB: What is your writing ritual or process like? Do you plot everything or just sit and let the writing take over?

LK: I have four kids so I write when I can! And I usually sit at my desk with my head phones on because it’s in the middle of the living room. But no – the story usually takes me where it wants to go and sometimes I feel like I have no control over it!

MB: Describe your main character (Justine Cook) in 5 words or less.  

LK: Cute, Goofy, Insecure, Strong

MB: What TV show(s) are you watching right now?

LK: Riverdale, Stranger Things, Deadliest Catch (with hubby LOL), God Friended Me

MB: Who has been your biggest inspiration or influence when it comes to writing?  

LK:  I’ve been fortunate enough to have some pretty top notch teachers over the years. My college professor, Stuart Dybek was a huge inspiration. I’ve kept his critiques of my short stories because they were so encouraging and made me believe I might actually be good at writing.

MB: I always like to ask this. Any advice for writers out there who are still working on getting published? 

LK:  NEVER. GIVE. UP. Publishing is all about waiting. And more waiting. Oh… and more waiting… so in the meantime keep writing. Keep working on projects that really energize you and that you believe in because that’s what it’s really all about, right? When I’m stressed nothing makes me feel better than working on a new project. Being published is great, but the act of writing and creating new worlds is still the best part of this whole thing.

MB: What are you working on right now?

LK: I’m working on the sequel to ‘Evening in the Yellow Wood.’ It’s pretty exciting to be able to continue this journey with the characters I love so much.

MB: Thanks so much for chatting!!

Need more Let’s Get Lit! in your life? Check out my interview with Matt Coleman, author of Graffiti Creek! And don’t forget to hit me up on twitter if you’d like to be featured on Let’s Get Lit! 

Thanks for reading!

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