APRI Presents M.E.M. (Modern Evolution of Minds): APRI PRESENTS: Interview with Lyn Horner

About Author Lyn Horner

Lyn Horner resides in Fort Worth, Texas - "Where the West Begins" - with her husband and several very spoiled cats. Trained in the visual arts, Lyn worked as a fashion illustrator and art instructor before she took up writing. She loves crafting passionate love stories, both historical and contemporary. Lyn also enjoys reading, gardening, visiting with family and friends, and cuddling her furry, four-legged children. The author's Texas Devlins series blends authentic Old West settings, steamy romance and a glimmer of the mysterious. This series has earned multiple awards and nominations, including Crowned Heart reviews and a Rone Award nomination for DEAREST IRISH from InD'Tale Magazine.

Lyn is a contributor to Rawhide 'n Roses, a Western Romance Anthology. This book is a finalist in the 2015 RONE Awards anthology category. Lyn is proud to be in company with such a talented group of authors.

Jumping from the American Old West to the present day, Lyn is now hard at work on her romantic suspense series, Romancing the Guardians. These books combine her trademark flashes of psychic phenomena with Irish folklore and a chilling apocalyptic theme. Along the way, readers will be treated to thunderous action, terrifying suspense and sizzling romance.

APRI: In 5 words, please describe your 'Romance Writing Style'. Steamy, sweet, erotic, Happy Ending – take that last one however you want.

LH: Steamy, suspenseful, fast-paced, thought-provoking, cross genre

APRI: Do your leading men come from any place particular?

LH: Several come from Texas, but not all. The hero of my current project is Colombian.

APRI: What do you do in your downtim?

LH: I read, watch TV, garden and visit with friends and family.

APRI: What genre are your books?

LH: My books are a mix of genres. The Texas Devlins series is western historical romance with a paranormal sub theme, as in psychic siblings. Romancing the Guardians, the series I'm currently writing is contemporary romantic suspense with my trademark psychic characters plus an unlying prophetic (apocalyptic) theme.

APRI: What drew you to this genre?

LH: A combination of factors influence my writing. First, I strongly believe in psychic abilities, having experienced precognitive dreams when younger. Second, I have always loved western historical romance, leading me to write the Texas Devlin books. Third, I'm also enthralled by all things Irish. The Devlin siblings are children of Irish immigrants to the U.S. and are descended from Druid ancestors. Irish mythology is also the basis for Romancing the Guardians. The seven chosen ones trace their lineage to Tuatha Dé Dannan seers who passed down prophesies of the distant future which have been preserved and guarded through uncounted generations.

APRI: While you were writing, which character did you connect with the most?

LH: Probably Lara from Rescuing Lara, Romancing the Guardians (Book One). She is partially disabled as the result of a car accident that killed her uncle, the former High Guardian. I am disabled due to a hereditary disorder, so a lot of things Lara goes through stem from my own life experiences.

APRI: Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?

LH: Absolutely. I started out doing my own book covers because I have a background in visual arts. However, I cam to realize I'm not a cover designer. Now, I hire professionals.

APRI: Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?

LH: My best writing times are afternoons and evenings. Mornings are usually devoted to answering email, posting on and twitter, and occassionally writing blog posts.

APRI: Do you have any advice for other authors?

LH: First, learn your craft. Join a writers group that focuses on your preferred genre and a critique group. I learned more about writing from my crit partners than anyone else. Attend workshops and conferences if you can. Hire an editor for your finished book if possible and be willing to make changes if they suggest it. Flexibility is important!

APRI: What is your favorite motivational phrase?

LH: "Put butt in chair and write!"

APRI: What is your favorite book and why?

LH: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I love the description of 18th century Scotland, the intricate plot and most of all the main characters, Jamie and Claire.

APRI: Where do you see publishing going in the future?

LH: E-book Publishing will continue to grow. It's inevitable in our electronic age.

APRI: What's the best part of being a publishsed author?

LH: I love getting feedback from readers who enjoy my books.

APRI: What's the worst?

LH: Book marketing has been my weak spot for years. My goal is to improve my promotional abilities.

APRI: What's next for you.? Can you give us any clues about what you're currently working on?

LH: I am writing Capturing Gabriel, Romancing the Guardians (Book Three.) It will be released this fall. I may also write a novella for a western Christmas anthology. Not sure yet.

APRI: Can you tell us something readers might find surprising about you?

LH: I once owned six cats. Correction, they owned me. I wrote a memoir about them titled Six Cats In My Kitchen.

APRI: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

LH: I wanted to be an artist, specifically a fashion illustrator. My dad gave me a painting kit when I was about 10 or 11 years old, starting me on the art school and a career illustration and art instruction. However, I had to give up the visual arts as my hands became unsteady. That's when I turned to writing as a creative outlet.

APRI: What makes you smile?

LH: Petting my feline children ( I have three now) and cuddling my grandkids. Humor in a book or TV program can crack me up, but only if it grows out of drama. I'm not a fan of slapstick comedy.

APRI: What question have you always wanted to be asked during an interview? How would you answer that question?

LH: Question: Why did you give up on being traditionally published? / Answer: Because I got tired of butting my head against the stone wall of New York publishing houses. I was represented by two different agents who liked my work, but they had no luck selling it. I became so discouraged that I pretty much gave up until Amazon introduced Kindle Direct Publishing. My friend and editor, Sharla Rae, pushed me into giving it a try. That was five years ago. During that time I have pubbed eight books and received numerous awards and nominations. I'm also a contributor to a western romance anthology, Rawhide 'n Roses, a finalist in the 2015 Rone Awards contest sponsored by InD'Tale magazine.