author interview Archives - Lauri Rottmayer

NaNoWriMo logo

Have you hear of NaNoWriMo? I believe I first heard of it four years ago when my friend Jen Luitweilter was participating. She explained to me that NaNoWriMo is short for National Novel Writer’s Month. And a lot of people do it!

I’ve had a book in my head for several years now. Back then, it hadn’t been there as long, though. I investigated the website and decided that the following November, I was going to sign up and finally write that booki.

The following November rolled around and I made an account at the NaNo website. And I chickened out. I hadn’t even written Pageant Savvy at that time. I’d written no book and I was terrified to write one. That no one would read it and I would be embarrassed.

Another year went by.

It was November of 2013 and I thought, “This year, I’m going to do it!” I logged into my account at the NaNo website and this time, I entered the title of my book.

And I chickened out.

At this point, I HAD written a book but it was non fiction. My doubts were huge and I thought I simply couldn’t write fiction.

Earlier in 2014, My friend Becky McCray told me to just write the darned thing and get it out. Don’t worry about edits, that would come later. Great advice and I did think about starting to write it then but never did. Things got in the way, I was still scared.

I put “Win NaNoWriMo 2014” on my goals list. Write Mrs. Congeniality was already there. It’s been there. 😉

This year, in September, I went to a blogger get together. There, I sat across the table from one of the Municipal Liaisons of the Tulsa NaNo group. I told her I had tried a couple of years to do NaNo but I had chickened out. She told me about the local group and told me she was going to hold my feet to the fire.

So this year, I logged into my account, entered a title, a synopsis, donated to the cause (NaNo is user supported) and began writing. Now after having written for seven days, my word count is just under 19,000. My dashboard says that I should complete my book November 22, eight day early. Whoa!

And you know what? It’s been fun! This book has been in my head for so long, it’s just flowing out my fingers and I like it. Bigger news? I wouldn’t care if someone read it! And this is only the first draft.

While I have a general idea of the story, I did write bios for all of the characters before I started writing. As I write, situations take place on the screen that, after I’m finished, surprise me. I had no idea I would write that. How fun!

I will win NaNoWriMo this year. And I will be so happy to cross two goals off my list. But I want to encourage you. If you ever thought you had a book to write, don’t be scared, sign up for NaNoWritMo and get it done in November. 🙂

Last month I read and reviewed a fabu book, The Reluctant First Lady. Today, I have an interview with the books author, Venita Ellick. I hope you’ll enjoy getting to know her a little better like I did.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I began writing stories as soon as I could write. Before that, I told stories to all of my relatives. My uncle still tells me about a story I told when I was three. I said I had gone to Texas on a train and rode in the caboose. I drew pictures to go with the story. My uncle said I was very serious about my story and no laughing was allowed.

Is this your first book?

The Reluctant First Lady is the first full length novel I wrote (back in 2001). I’ve since written three others. But, as my children were growing up, I wrote picture books and did the illustrations. They thought for years they were books from the library.

I love to write my blog. What did you write before this novel, if anything? Do you have another favorite way to write?

In addition to the children’s books I wrote, which I mentioned in question #2, I also wrote poetry. Also, as a elementary principal, I wrote the bi-monthly parent newsletter.

I’m writing my first novel and it scares the heck out of me. Did you find any fear in writing yours?

No, I was never afraid, but I can certainly understand why anyone would be. Writing is hard work. Besides having a good idea, it’s day in and day out creating the story, developing the story and the characters and then editing, editing, editing. Some people find it beneficial to write an outline and/or to create a story board.

I thought the idea of a wife not wanting to serve as First Lady intriguing. How did you come up with that?

My family was eating dinner and I commented to my children (they were teenagers at the time) that their dad would be a great president, that he was very diplomatic, trustworthy and ethical, but that his problem would be me. I wouldn’t want the job of the First Lady and would refuse to do it. One of my sons said if I were to take that stand, I would automatically become one of the most famous First Ladies of all time. That was an ‘aha’ moment.

If my husband were president, I think I would enjoy serving as First Lady. Would you or would you be like Ashley and maintain your previous life? Of course, I’d rather be the President. 😉

I wouldn’t want to be the First Lady. I admire our First Ladies and think they have done very admiral jobs as the First Ladies. But, that’s not for me. I think the spouse of the president should have the opportunity to choose for themselves whether or not they want to step into that role. One day there will be a female president, what will her spouse do?

I think Reluctant First Lady would make a good movie. Who would you pick to play the roles of Mike and Ashley?

Thanks, I’ve heard that from many readers. I think Naomi Watts would make a good Ashley, and someone like Ben Affleck would make a good president.

What are your future writing plans? Will there be a sequel to Reluctant First Lady?

I’m currently working on an outline for a sequel to The Reluctant First Lady and editing my next book I hope to publish.

What do you like to read?

I love all kinds of books and tend to have several going at the same time. I just finished the Divergent Triology, and am working my way through ‘When Things Fall Apart,’ ‘Ishmael,’ and James Rollins, ‘Bloodlines.’

I write about my family on my blog a lot. We had two sons and now we have a granddaughter. I see from your bio that you are also a boy mom with granddaughters. What is the most fun part about granddaughters compared to sons to you?

I have three sons and adore them, their wives and our two granddaughters, ages 7 and 3. It’s so wonderful to see how little girls mind’s work and the way they like to play. It’s so much fun to play kitchen, and with princesses. One of my favorite things is watching my child be a parent. I find it hysterical knowing all he has to go through. It’s such a joy to see your child be such an amazing parent. Makes me misty eyed.

This was awesome! Thank you, Venita, for this wonderful interview and my best wishes for your success. 🙂

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog to get to know Venita Ellick a little better. I know you will enjoy her book Reluctant First Lady.

Links to Venita Ellick Author:

Great Book at a New Price – $2.99

Buying Links for The Reluctant First Lady:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

iTunes