Join BBW Reviews as we chat with Louise King, contributing author to Leading Ladies anthology published by Draumr Publishing. Her fabulous story, Elusion, is a major part of this anthology which can be purchased through Draumr Publishing as well as most major online book stores. Take a minute a find out more about Louise, why she wrote this story and what is up next for this up and coming author***** Contest Alert*****
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1. Tell us about yourself? Primarily I’m a mom. I have 4 little miracles aged from 10 months to 13 years. I love writing because it’s something I can do at home with my family around. I am also a makeup artist, though most of my practice is on myself these days; and the Executive Producer for a film company my husband and I run. I wear a lot of hats and am super busy! Still, I always find time for the important things and I play as hard as I work. We’re a very active family and love the mountains, ocean, kayaking, hiking, snowboarding and sailing. Life is a miracle and I never take it for granted.
2. How long have you been writing? 15 years. I was shocked when I did the math on that, it feels like a lifetime ago!
3. What genre(s) do you typically write in? Romance! I delve into different genres of it, from mystery/suspense to historical. I also write for my kids and they star in several adventures. They love that. My latest offering in that field is a story about my daughter and I, hot on the trail of a mystery. She’s my only girl so we have a special bond. She goes crazy when I write about it.
4. What drove you to pick up that pen for the first time? I was in a weird place in life. I was pretty depressed and my sister suggested getting my thoughts on paper as a way to heal. I’ve never been much of a journal writer so I started writing a novel for young adults. It was pretty bad! Eventually I realized my interest was in romance, threw out the dreaded partially finished manuscript and started writing my first romance…and I was hooked!
5. Your story Elusion is part of Leading Ladies, an anthology published by Draumr Publishing. Tell us about your story and the plus size heroine featured in this story. Genevieve is a fantastic character, full of zest for life. She’s one of those girls who doesn’t sit around waiting for life to happen, she goes out and makes it happen. That’s my kind of woman, whether she breathes in 2010 or 500 years ago, as she does. As all the stories in this anthology, it’s based on a fairy tale—specifically Grimm’s “Princess In Disguise”. It’s about a queen-to-be who runs away to avoid an unwanted marriage and finds what every girl longs for. I put her through some great twists for a princess that left me in stitches as I wrote it. I love it when I write things that make me laugh and cry.
6. Why have you chosen to feature plus size heroines in your work? Largely for very personal reasons. I struggled with an eating disorder for much of my life and while I was thin and beautiful, I was hurting my body. I couldn’t get over the image media projects as acceptable. Every heroine I read about was thin and gorgeous with enormous breasts, a slim waist, svelte thighs and the perfect derriere. I felt like I wasn’t beautiful if I wasn’t all those things.
My daughter is 11 now and I really don’t want her growing up with the same body image ideas I suffered through. It was largely for her and her generation. I hope that girls today will grow up realizing their best potential and not feel like they have to fit into a mold that society has dictated for us. As for me, I have gotten over my eating issues and actually enjoy food. And guess what? I discovered I am still beautiful and was taught the best lesson of all: My husband loves me no matter what the scale says because he sees the beauty inside me.
7. I know Elusion is currently your only published work but are there more plus size heroines planned for the future can we expect to see a novel by Louise King in the near future? Definitely! My current project isn’t a romance at all; I am writing a novel based on events as told to me by someone else. It’s been a bit of a challenge, as romance really is my thing so I have to think much more seriously and less, well—frilly. After that, I will be writing a screenplay with my husband whom is also a writer (director, producer and filmmaker) and start casting for it. When I am done writing that, I will be going back to the novel I was writing when I started Elusion, which is actually in the editing stages and almost done. I have several other works in various stages of completion, so once I get on a roll you may see 4 or 5 books pumped out in a short period of time. I just need a little more time each day!
8. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as a writer? Balance. When I have a story in my head, I can’t stop writing. If I take a break, I lose fabulous prose, never to have it return and that’s really frustrating. So I really have to work at maintaining focus and making sure dinner is still on the table and everyone’s looked after. I’m getting better at this as I get older. When I first started writing, I didn’t have kids so it was easy. No one made a mess and all I had to worry about was me. Now that there’s four kids and a fabulous husband, I find it a bit easier to divide my time and be less obsessive.
9. Where do you see yourself a year from now? Making a film. Or sitting on my sailboat in the Pacific finishing up my next romance. Either way, I’ll be happy.
10. What are you reading now? What types of books (genres) do you read in general? In general, I read romance or suspense, but right now I am reading books by Napoleon Hill. He’s like the grandfather of The Secret. It’s pretty interesting stuff and while I did not like it in the beginning when reading the writings of other Secret teachers, I am really enjoying his work. He lead a fascinating life and was enlightened beyond his time. It’s really funny because at first I disliked the teachings of The Secret because I had morning sickness. I was told that I was ill only because I believed I was, like if I just thought I was well I would be. That really ticked me off!
11. Who are your favorite authors? Judith McNaught and Julie Garwood. They are masters who write rich tapestries. Their stories stay in your heart long after you’ve put the book down. I strive to write stories that will touch hearts as deeply as they do.
12. How can readers that loved Elusion get in contact with you? Louise.outstanding@gmail.com It’s my work email but it means I check it regularly!
13. What is the one thing you would like all of your readers to know about you? It’s all about family for me. They are my miracle and gift in life and I never take them for granted. Everything comes after them, including my work.
14. If you could tell one thing to every aspiring writer what would it be? Persevere! Persistence is key. Reading several different genres can also send you in the right direction if you know you want to write but aren’t sure what your style is.
2. How long have you been writing? 15 years. I was shocked when I did the math on that, it feels like a lifetime ago!
3. What genre(s) do you typically write in? Romance! I delve into different genres of it, from mystery/suspense to historical. I also write for my kids and they star in several adventures. They love that. My latest offering in that field is a story about my daughter and I, hot on the trail of a mystery. She’s my only girl so we have a special bond. She goes crazy when I write about it.
4. What drove you to pick up that pen for the first time? I was in a weird place in life. I was pretty depressed and my sister suggested getting my thoughts on paper as a way to heal. I’ve never been much of a journal writer so I started writing a novel for young adults. It was pretty bad! Eventually I realized my interest was in romance, threw out the dreaded partially finished manuscript and started writing my first romance…and I was hooked!
5. Your story Elusion is part of Leading Ladies, an anthology published by Draumr Publishing. Tell us about your story and the plus size heroine featured in this story. Genevieve is a fantastic character, full of zest for life. She’s one of those girls who doesn’t sit around waiting for life to happen, she goes out and makes it happen. That’s my kind of woman, whether she breathes in 2010 or 500 years ago, as she does. As all the stories in this anthology, it’s based on a fairy tale—specifically Grimm’s “Princess In Disguise”. It’s about a queen-to-be who runs away to avoid an unwanted marriage and finds what every girl longs for. I put her through some great twists for a princess that left me in stitches as I wrote it. I love it when I write things that make me laugh and cry.
6. Why have you chosen to feature plus size heroines in your work? Largely for very personal reasons. I struggled with an eating disorder for much of my life and while I was thin and beautiful, I was hurting my body. I couldn’t get over the image media projects as acceptable. Every heroine I read about was thin and gorgeous with enormous breasts, a slim waist, svelte thighs and the perfect derriere. I felt like I wasn’t beautiful if I wasn’t all those things.
My daughter is 11 now and I really don’t want her growing up with the same body image ideas I suffered through. It was largely for her and her generation. I hope that girls today will grow up realizing their best potential and not feel like they have to fit into a mold that society has dictated for us. As for me, I have gotten over my eating issues and actually enjoy food. And guess what? I discovered I am still beautiful and was taught the best lesson of all: My husband loves me no matter what the scale says because he sees the beauty inside me.
7. I know Elusion is currently your only published work but are there more plus size heroines planned for the future can we expect to see a novel by Louise King in the near future? Definitely! My current project isn’t a romance at all; I am writing a novel based on events as told to me by someone else. It’s been a bit of a challenge, as romance really is my thing so I have to think much more seriously and less, well—frilly. After that, I will be writing a screenplay with my husband whom is also a writer (director, producer and filmmaker) and start casting for it. When I am done writing that, I will be going back to the novel I was writing when I started Elusion, which is actually in the editing stages and almost done. I have several other works in various stages of completion, so once I get on a roll you may see 4 or 5 books pumped out in a short period of time. I just need a little more time each day!
8. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as a writer? Balance. When I have a story in my head, I can’t stop writing. If I take a break, I lose fabulous prose, never to have it return and that’s really frustrating. So I really have to work at maintaining focus and making sure dinner is still on the table and everyone’s looked after. I’m getting better at this as I get older. When I first started writing, I didn’t have kids so it was easy. No one made a mess and all I had to worry about was me. Now that there’s four kids and a fabulous husband, I find it a bit easier to divide my time and be less obsessive.
9. Where do you see yourself a year from now? Making a film. Or sitting on my sailboat in the Pacific finishing up my next romance. Either way, I’ll be happy.
10. What are you reading now? What types of books (genres) do you read in general? In general, I read romance or suspense, but right now I am reading books by Napoleon Hill. He’s like the grandfather of The Secret. It’s pretty interesting stuff and while I did not like it in the beginning when reading the writings of other Secret teachers, I am really enjoying his work. He lead a fascinating life and was enlightened beyond his time. It’s really funny because at first I disliked the teachings of The Secret because I had morning sickness. I was told that I was ill only because I believed I was, like if I just thought I was well I would be. That really ticked me off!
11. Who are your favorite authors? Judith McNaught and Julie Garwood. They are masters who write rich tapestries. Their stories stay in your heart long after you’ve put the book down. I strive to write stories that will touch hearts as deeply as they do.
12. How can readers that loved Elusion get in contact with you? Louise.outstanding@gmail.com It’s my work email but it means I check it regularly!
13. What is the one thing you would like all of your readers to know about you? It’s all about family for me. They are my miracle and gift in life and I never take them for granted. Everything comes after them, including my work.
14. If you could tell one thing to every aspiring writer what would it be? Persevere! Persistence is key. Reading several different genres can also send you in the right direction if you know you want to write but aren’t sure what your style is.
3 comments:
Very inspiring! We need more novels about "normal" sized women :-)
Very interesting! I would love to read your story it sounds wonderful and I agree, I am tired of all the women in novels and TV being Barbie dolls.
I enjoyed your interview and am glad to see that after struggling with body image, you are able to put out positive images out there.
lenikaye@yahoo.com
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