Author Yearbook

AY Talks Back

We were thrilled to have some time to chat with Renee Chambers, who is involved in the 2012 Author Yearbook.

Author Yearbook: When did you first know when you wanted to be writer?

Renee Chambers: I have wanted to be a writer since I was in grade school. I think it might have been when I was in the 6^th grade. I wrote and illustrated a small book that I stapled together about Chariots of Fire. Nobody saw my “book” because I was too shy.

Author Yearbook: Tell us a little bit about what you like to write, what inspires you…

Renee Chambers: I like to write short stories about my children, about my animals, and about my life experiences.  What inspires me is the world around me. People fascinate me and I find them to be very interesting. I am very environmentally conscious, so issues relating to the land, water, air and animals interest me greatly.

Author Yearbook:  Do you have any special things you do when writing? For example, some authors listen to a certain type of music, others drink a glass of wine (some too many glasses), and still others exercise to release that creative spirit. What do you do, if anything?

Renee Chambers: I usually sit at my kitchen table where I can look out my sliding glass door and drink a good warm cup of tea.

Author Yearbook: What is your greatest challenge as a writer?

Renee Chambers: Making the time to write each day.

Author Yearbook: What is your greatest reward as a writer?

Renee Chambers:  Seeing my work in print.

Author Yearbook: What do you do when you aren’t writing? Any hobbies or special interests?

Renee Chambers: When I am not writing, I like to go shopping and go to Starbucks with my daughter. I also enjoy a good baseball game and I like to bike ride. I always like a good ‘chick flick’.

Author Yearbook: In keeping with our theme for the 2012 Yearbook of “Then and Now”, what is your favorite childhood memory?

Renee Chambers: Going to Disney World in Florida when I was 7 years old. We drove there and got to see places like the Tennessee mountains, the Ripley’s Believe or Not Museum (yes, it actually existed back then), and Cape Canaveral.

Author Yearbook: What are you working on right now? What can we expect to see in the future?

Renee Chambers: I am currently working on a character education workbook for grades 3/4. It will be a mixture of people and animals. My thoughts for the future are a possible memoir and/or fictional book about a woman who has overcome great tragedy in her life and has found her true love.

Author Yearbook: Anything you’d like to add?

Renee Chambers: I am grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the Author Yearbook  and I look forward to getting started on my next project.

AY Talks Back

We were thrilled to have some time to chat with Laurie Alice Eakes, who is involved in the 2012 Author Yearbook.

Author Yearbook: When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

Laurie Alice Eakes: I was at least ten years old. Maybe even younger. I was already writing poetry and forever telling stories in my head. I even tried to write a few of them down. None have survived, fortunately.

Author Yearbook: Out of all your books, which one is your favorite and why?

Laurie Alice Eakes: As my editor put it, that’s like choosing your favorite child. I have some I like better than others, but they are all precious. If you’re going to tighten the thumb screws, possibly Heart’s Safe Passage, though I think I have a crush on the hero in Lady in the Mist.

Author Yearbook: Do you have any special things you do when writing? For example, some authors listen to a certain type of music, others drink a glass of wine (some too many glasses), and still others exercise to release that creative spirit. What do you do, if anything?

Laurie Alice Eakes: I like to have a cup of coffee or tea at my side, ice water if the weather is warm, and other than that, I have written anywhere from standing at my kitchen counter, to sitting in the back of a taxi. The connection of my fingers to the keyboard is all I need to set the creative juices flowing.

Author Yearbook: What is your greatest challenge as a writer?

Laurie Alice Eakes: Focus. I can get distracted easily, especially if the scene is difficult. Guilt distracts me—I should be doing the laundry, dishes, walking the dog. . . I’m home, so my home calls me for attention.

Author Yearbook: What is your greatest reward as a writer?

Laurie Alice Eakes: Hearing from readers that my book touched their hearts, helped them see something more clearly, even simply giving them a few hours of pleasurable entertainment.

Author Yearbook: What do you do when you aren’t writing? Any hobbies or special interests?

Laurie Alice Eakes: Lots of both. I crochet and knit, though not terribly well at either; it keeps my hands busy. I love walking, hiking, traveling, especially road trips, listening to live music and theater of all kinds, and watching movies with my husband.

Author Yearbook: In keeping with our theme for the 2012 Yearbook of “Then and Now”, what is your favorite childhood memory?

Laurie Alice Eakes: Going camping near Traverse City, Michigan, though you wouldn’t catch me dead in a tent now, riding the dune buggies through those gorgeous white sands, going canoeing. Looking back, the days are all sunny and warm and all we ate was s’mores, which, of course, we didn’t.

Author Yearbook: What are you working on right now? What can we expect to see from you in the future?

Laurie Alice Eakes: Right now, I am working on the edits for Choices of the Heart, the third book in The Midwives series out in 2013. I am also working on the outline for the third book in my Daughters of Bainbridge series, also out in 2013. This year, I have several releases: Heart’s Safe Passage, The Midwives Book 2, A Flight of Fancy, Daughters of Bainbridge House Book 2, The Carpenter’s Inheritance, and two novellas, “Printed on my Heart in Highland Crossings, and “Over a Barrel” in Colonial Courtships.

Author Yearbook: Anything you’d like to add?

Laurie Alice Eakes: Writing has to be amongst the best professions in the world. I get to spend my days creating stories that entertain, thrill, and bring hope and joy to others.

We have had one yearbook slot open up, if anyone still wants to get in on the 2012 Author Yearbook. The only catch is that we will need the materials within 30 days since the book goes to print and promotions gear up in April. You can get details here: http://lorisoard.com/blog/?p=99

First come, first serve.