Author Interview – ME Lorde - Everything for Books

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? I’ve always loved to write and actually tested at a college level reading in the fourth grade. I have always been an avid reader. I’ve read since I could hold a book, and written since I could hold a pencil, but only pursued publishing these past few years.

When did you first know you could be a writer? My English teachers (a few of them) told me I should be a writer. I didn’t have courage enough back then to pursue it. My writing is better for having waited. More life experience has helped strengthen my storylines.

What inspires you to write and why? What leads me to writing is the pure joy I feel when I’m doing it. There is no question in my mind that I should have made more time to pursue this long ago. But, I’m happy I’m doing it now. My children are always my inspiration.

What genre are you most comfortable writing? I like writing psychological thrillers/conspiracy/fantasy/dark fantasy/fantasy romance the best. The excitement is what keeps me wanting to it… that and the surprises that creep out when I write.

What inspired you to write your first book? I started and wrote many that I’ve never published. Finally, I just made up my mind to publish one. I had to adjust my life considerably to do it, but I haven’t looked back.

What do you consider the most challenging about writing a novel, or about writing in general? To me, the most challenging thing while writing is trying to get it all down as fast as it comes. My fingers work overtime when it’s being fleshed out. At the same time, it’s exciting to see how the storyline develops in its smaller details. Editing is my least favorite part.

Did writing this book teach you anything and what was it? That I can write romance. I don’t read that much romance, and had no idea I would enjoy writing it so much, but I have, and I’m working on others as well.

What is your greatest strength as a writer? While I am pretty self-critical and have no answer for that question, my beta readers tell me they love the strength of my characters and that my descriptions grab them. I can only hope all of my readers feel that way.

Can you share a little of your current work with us? While you can find a sneak peak of my first couple of chapters of my newest release ‘Tolomay’s World and The Pool of Light’ at amazon.com, here is an excerpt of another book. I’m working on final edits for it now, so be forewarned, you WILL find errors in it. I’m pretty sure of that. This novel is due for release in a few months.

My head ached. Without pulling too hard at the leg iron, my foot raised ankle-high against the metal cuff and chain. I balanced my weight on my other foot, clung to the ribbed metal wall, and pressed my eye up to the slit at the edge of the wide door. The box danced along the rails. I could just reach my desired view through the opening. The sky bragged its false greeting as a million lights, disguised as stars, floated unwillingly in the atmosphere. They were just as bound as I was, forced to watch over all, sparkling their satellite reds and greens and whites, each in turn. It was subtle blinking that none would notice, unless they bothered to look closer, to know the truth of the sky and those who ruled over it.

When we entered the mountain tunnel, the air fell to pitch black, leaving me with nothing left to watch. I sat back down in the crowded spot. The horrific wailing had long since ceased and the silence ate the space, swallowing all within the boxcar that stunk of feces and urine and the sweat of men. Not even snores could be heard, though most must surely be asleep, those who were not yet dead. How many hot bodies filled this thirsty box, Forty? Fifty? A hundred or more? Who could say? It had been dark when I’d been forced inside by cattle prods, hours ago, nearly unconscious, tripping over others.

A dim slit of light bled through the side of the door where I had just peered out. After a long deafening pitch of brakes, the cart jostled to a halt. Voices could be heard. All at once the wide doors slid open. People wrestled themselves to wake. I had to squint to see in the brightness. A figure stood before the door, dwarfed by the height of the steps. He would be taller than me, were we face to face, and twice my weight.