APRI Presents M.E.M. (Modern Evolution of Minds): APRI PRESENTS: Interview with Author Lisa Glenn

BIO FOR LISA GLENN

Marsocial Author of the year, "Runner up" Lisa Glenn, the author of The Leftovers.
I am currently a part time college student. I was born in Montana, but currently live in the panhandle of Florida where I am working on my second novel. I am the Mother of 4 and a Grandmother of 2. I have always wanted to write but never had the courage until now. I love to read and have thousands of books, so I guess it was destined to be. I am known for my shyness but I let it all come out in my writing. I write, I guess what you would call mainstream fiction. My books have a little bit of romance, action, and mystery with some inspirational thrown in. I stay busy taking care of my one child still at home, and a beagle mix named, Jasper. I work full time and attend college part time. I have two novels in the works right now. The sequel to Shelby an inspirational YA, and The Fisherman, a fantasy romance. I love coffee and chocolate, preferably Hershey's.

APRI: What do you do when you are not writing?

LG: Getting into trouble, well some of the time. I work part time at a local store, along with raising a 12 year old. She keeps me on my toes. I also sell Avon and design book covers. I currently, along with four other authors, am diligently putting together a book signing event in the panhandle of Florida.

APRI: Do you have a day job as well?

LG: Yes, I guess I kind of answered that one already. I do have a part time 9-2 Monday thru Friday job.

APRI: How did you choose the genre you write in?

LG: I am still trying to find my niche. I write YA and Fantasy but I'm currently working on a paranormal. I believe I will be sticking with YA in the future. I think my flow works better with that Genre.

APRI: Do you ever experience writer's block?

LG: Yes, I recently had a hard time of it due to this heat here in Florida. I felt like it drained my creativity. I couldn't write for two weeks. Writer's block hits me during periods that I cannot concentrate -- too much going on around me.

APRI: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

LG: Yes, Johanna Lindsey is my all-time favorite author. I read her books as a young teen. I still to this day love her writing. I was about 13 when I picked up Harlequin romance, and never stopped reading since.

APRI: Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

LG: Not knowing how or where to go was my biggest challenge. Then, finding out that the formatting was all wrong. It took me a good week to work it out. I read up books that gave detailed directions.

APRI: What's the biggest mistake you've made as a writer?

LG: Signing with a fraudelent publishing company.

APRI: If you had to convince a friend or colleague to read your work, what might you tell them?

LG: First off, I would suggest my young adult book - Shelby. This book is a heart wrenching read with unique characters. It's for any reader 13 and up. I think it's my best work to date.

APRI: How would you describe your writing style?

LG: Fast paced. I don't like to drag out my scenes. I want to hurry and get to the next adventure.

APRI: What makes you smile?

LG: Coffee, a good joke, and friends. My first cup of coffee of the day always puts a smile on my face. And I must not forget my daughter. She always makes me smile.

APRI: Take us through a day in your life...what does an average Monday look like for you, both professionally and personally?

LG: I wake up at 5 am, take my dog out to his kennel. Make a pot of coffee. I check my emails, post on my blog and FB pages. Do some marketing. At 7 am get ready for work. 9 am off to work and 2 pm home. Then do chores and then start dinner. After clean up back on computer. I check messages then get comfortable and write for 2 to 3 hours. Spend an hour or two with my daughter before bed.

APRI: What is your favorite word?

LG: Flipping. When I was younger I use to cuss so instead of cussing I would slip the word 'Flipping' instead. To this day I love that one.

APRI: How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?

LG: I post to 5 or 6 social media sites like Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, TSU, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google. I also use Yahoo and Google groups. I use my website for blogs and information. I have my book on a lot of free sites like - iauthor and bookbud. I published my books over many platforms. I haven't really found any better avenues yet for my Young Adult but still striving to find what fits me.

APRI: Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

LG: The characters in my novel, The Leftovers, are actually based on family members. My book, Shelby, also has the characters based on my family. The setting of all my books are places that I have lived.

APRI: Tell us about your process: pen and paper, computer, notebooks...how do you write?

LG: I don't use an outline. It just comes to me. I write as if I am telling my daughter a story. When I finish the MS I read through it and fix the many mistakes and add more details. I usually write the beginning and the end first then add the middle.

APRI: Which writer would you most like to have a drink with and why?

LG: James Patterson. He switches genres. I want his secrets.

APRI: When was the first time you felt "Wow, my work actually has an impact on someone else?"

LG: When I released Shelby. The reviews started coming in and readers were asking for book 2.

APRI: What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

LG: Toughest criticism - That my work was too fast paced was a tough one but that's me, that's how I write. It hurt at first but not everyone reads the same. Best compliment - The best compliment was again with Shelby. That my characters came to life in a heartfelt way.

APRI: What were you like at school?

LG: I was the class clown.