Featured Author - Natasha Lane
Natasha Lane is a born and raised Baltimorian. Before she ever attempted writing, Natasha had a particular love for fantasy, romance and certain hybrid genres. Slowly, she began to dive into the therapy of writing. First, she wrote poems, then short stories and finally, her first novel at age 13.
Natasha has now published her first book, "A Meeting at the Grocery Store" and "Waiting for Mistletoe." She plans to explore more genres of literature and focus on continuing her work as a writer. She hopes her work will be as inspirational to her readers as her favorite authors were to her. I asked her a few questions and this is what she had to say:
Why do you write?
Initially
when I started writing my motivations were purely selfish. My childhood was
very dysfunctional with many aspects of my life out of my control. Writing was
a way to express all of my feelings; the feelings that no one else would listen
to and that I had to hide because I needed to be strong. It was also a way to
exercise control over something. I had complete domain over the plot and the
characters. In this way, writing was therapeutic.
Now,
my motivations have changed. Of course, I still write to express myself and
allow my ideas to come to life, but I desire more than that. I want my writing
to inspire people the way the authors I read inspired me. I want to give people
hope, joy and epiphanies through my writing.
Which
writers inspire you?
I think I’ll list the authors and the books I read by them. The
list isn’t ranked.
First, is Marc Brown, writer and illustrator of the Arthur book series. I loved the books
and the tv shows. Arthur and Mr. Brown really helped me develop my morals and
most importantly they taught me that glasses could be cool. :-)
Second, Carolyn Mackler, author of The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things. This is one of my
favorite YA novels. Thanks to Ms. Mackler I learned to love myself, not so much
for how I physically looked, but simply because of who I was. I admired the
main character and wanted to emulate her strength. Ms, Mackler also wrote Vegan, Virgin, Valentine. Both come
highly recommended.
Third, The Giver by Lois
Lowry. One of my favorite reads ever! Never be afraid to question social
constructs or authority. You’ll be surprised what truths you’ll find.
George Orwell’s 1984 and
Animal Farm. Do I really have to say
it? Both these books were fabulous, providing a darker and arguably more
realistic side to literature. Always consider the natural tendencies of your
community. Do humans naturally lean towards good or evil? And who is really in
control of your life?
Finally, I have to say Lariss Ione, author of the Demonica Series. I didn’t finish the
whole series (it’s on my to-do list), but if you want some hot romance look no
further! I don’t know if you would label it romance, erotic or both, but either
way this series kept my attention. Judge away, if you wish :-)
Extra: Little Women by
Louisa May Alcott
What
is your favorite book and why?
Now we all know there is no such thing as a favorite book. It’s
more like a wall of my favorite books…or a cave.
What
do you think is the easiest thing about writing? What is the most difficult?
Imagining is the easiest. I could day dream up characters and
plots all day. The difficulty arises when you try to match the right characters
with the right plot. Writing becomes even more difficult with character
development (caused by some new change in the plot or another character). I
always wonder if my writing is obvious enough for the reader to catch, but
subtle enough that I’m still showing instead of telling.
From
books that have already been published by other authors, which book do you wish
you had written?
The
Chronicles of Narnia by C.S.Lewis. I read two of the chronicles and
plan to read the others. I admire this series because the book is very
symbolic, meaningful and just a great read for fantasy lovers.
How do
you market your books?
Usually, through Facebook, Goodreads, review requests, pre-sale
blitz and giveaways. People love giveaways and I don’t blame them. Who doesn’t
love free stuff? I plan to start doing more book trailers to give something to
those who are a little more visual.
Any
new release? If yes, what is it about?
Currently, I am working on a science fiction short story that I
hope to get published in a journal or magazine. The story is titled, Plugged In, and transports the reader to
a futuristic world where the society has been divided into a corrupt social
hierarchy.
The next novel I’m working on is the sequel to my first book, A Meeting at the Grocery Store. Unlike
the first novel, the sequel won’t focus on Jaheim and Natalie. It will look at
the side character, Ted and his love life post-heart break. I expect to have
this novel written by the fall.
However, if you’re looking for something by me to get now, than my
most recent work is A Cookie for Two. It’s
included in the Valentine’s In Love anthology
as a short story. A Cookie for Two is
a sweet romance about two people who aren’t trying to fall in love, but find
themselves tangled up in it together. I’ll include the blurb below.
Book
blurb
Daniella’s sitting alone in a
Korean restaurant after being stood up twice in two weeks. She’s irritated,
confused, angry and cold because as a California girl she still hasn’t adjusted
to the Michigan climate. She’s surrounded by snow, but is dreaming of warm
weather and her family when someone places a steaming bowl of soup in front of
her…
Book
excerpt
I walked towards Mathew’s restaurant with a scarf wrapped snuggly
around my face. It wasn’t snowing, but because it was late there was a distinct
chill in the air. Still, for the first time since moving to Traverse City, I
felt warm. Mitch may have turned out to be a jerk, but thanks to him I found a
friend in Mathew.
My
first friend in Michigan.
“Hey.”
I looked up to see Mathew waving at me from the front of his
parent’s restaurant. I smiled and waved back. He leaned against the door, so I
tucked my scarf in and ran towards him.
“You didn’t have to run,” he said
I panted and smiled at the same time. “I didn’t want to keep you
waiting.”
He chuckled, “I wouldn’t mind.”
Then, he smiled down at me and I could feel the color rise to my
cheeks. Mathew was different meaning different than California boys. First off
he was as pale as the snow and his hair was dark like coal.
I wonder if it has ever been touched by the
sun.
He was tall with broad shoulders and a broad chest that smoothed
down to a narrow waist. His face was very structured with clear lines of where
everything was supposed to be, as if he had been pieced together in a doll
shop. And then his eyes…shaped like diamonds with two small pearls of onyx in
them…watching me watching him.
I didn’t want to make things awkward, but awkward was kind of my
middle name and so I kept staring at him, until he looked away.
He smiled, “Next time, don’t run, okay? I’ll wait for you.”
Additional info
Amazon
Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Natasha-Lane/e/B00NJ4D0HO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Book Links:
A Meeting at the Grocery Store:
http://www.amazon.com/Meeting-at-Grocery-Store-ebook/dp/B00NBCMFZ2/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Waiting for Mistletoe:
http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Mistletoe-Natasha-Lane-ebook/dp/B00R1KOLP2/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Valentine’s In Love:
http://www.amazon.com/Valentine-Love-Addison-James-ebook/dp/B00TEGKZ4C/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1426624779&sr=8-4&keywords=Natasha+Lane
A Cookie for Two:
http://www.amazon.com/Cookie-Two-Natasha-Lane-ebook/dp/B00TEAO2YM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1426624779&sr=8-3&keywords=Natasha+Lane
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