Roxanne Rhoads: Interview with Laura Anile

What inspired you to become an author?

I’ve wanted to write for as long as I can remember. I can recall my teacher in first grade wanting us to tell her a story (about the length of a paragraph) for her to write down. Mine went for pages.

When I got older, I chose to do a business degree instead of pursuing writing. But I majored in marketing, so I kept my creative side alive. Finally, I decided to follow my heart and pursue my dream, realizing that not trying would be more of a failure than not succeeding. I feel like this is what I was always meant to do.

How did you come up with the title for your latest book?

In this case, it was sooo hard… Kidding! I chose the title because I wanted people to know what it was about at first glance. I think Visions says it all!

I played around with other titles, but everyone told me they liked the simplicity of Visions. So I titled it the Gifted series; the next book will be called Dangerous Games.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

There are two underlying messages in the book. Sometimes we get caught on a path we think we should be on without stopping to ask if that’s what we really want – or need. We might be afraid to admit, even to ourselves, whether what looks good on paper (like the ‘perfect’ job/car/house/relationship, etc.) is actually what fulfills us. What’s right for one person might not be right for another. And sometimes, what we see as a hiccup in our plans might be exactly what we need to bring us in another direction.

The main message though is ultimately about love. We’re all connected.

What book are you reading now?

I’m reading City of Bones by Cassandra Clare at the moment. I missed the movie when it was out at the cinemas so I’m looking forward to seeing it.

What books are in your to read pile?

So many! The remaining books in the Immortal Instruments series; Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor; The Debt Collector serial by Susan Kaye Quinn; The Prey by Andrew Fukuda (the second book in The Hunt trilogy which I’ve had on my shelf in anticipation of the release of the final book due out Nov 5!); the final book in the Hush Hush series by Becca Fitzpatrick (I’ve been saving it since it’s the last one!), books two and three in the Teenage Superhero trilogy by Darrell Pitt; Pulled Back Again by Danielle Bannister; the list goes on…

I’m also eagerly awaiting the next books in: the Night Prince series by Jeaniene Frost; and the Bloodlines series (The Fiery Heart) by Richelle Mead due out Nov 19!

What is your current “work in progress” or upcoming projects?

The sequel to Visions, titled Dangerous Games. I’m also planning a third book in the series and I’m toying with the idea of a short prequel. In addition, I have another novel idea, which stemmed from a short story I wrote in Unmasked Secrets (which is available for free download). It’ll be set in a different world, where things are quite different from the norm.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

I can’t give too much away or it will be a spoiler for the first book. Here’s the tag line for Dangerous Games:

Being gifted can be dangerous when the wrong people discover your secret.

Basically, a character’s abilities draw the attention of the wrong kind of people. When she goes missing, it becomes a race against the clock to find her – before someone else does.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

It can be a very long process, and there is so much more involved than just writing. There’s a lot more administrative and technical elements to publishing than people probably realize. And it can be nerve-wracking sending your baby out in the world, hoping it’s not going to be beaten up at school. There are so many books out there screaming for attention, you hope and pray that it will find its way to the right bookshelves.

Who designed the cover of your latest book?

Me, actually. Coming from a marketing background, I’m very particular about how I would like things to look. I already have a cover design in mind for the next book. The gorgeous model on the front is also a wonderful actress, so down the track there may be a live-action trailer.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Being a writer requires a leap of faith. I think the biggest hurdle for any author is not allowing the publishing stresses, or inner critical voice we all have, to weigh you down. Developing a network of fellow authors is important to share your experiences and support each other, especially since writing is such a solitary process. It can be a challenging path, but we all do it because we’re so passionate about it. That means not giving up if the road becomes rocky, but pushing on over the rough terrain and weathering the bumps. Anything you’re truly passionate about is worth it.

Visions

The Gifted Series

Book One

Laura N. Anile

Genre: Paranormal

Publisher: GlassHouse Publishing

ISBN: 9780992279028

ASIN: B00FFM1GOW

Number of pages: Approx. 420

Word Count: 124,000

Book Trailer: www.youtube.com/laurananile

Amazon

Book Description:

What would you sacrifice to save a stranger?

Isabel Cartier is career-driven and a little self-obsessed. Her future has been carefully planned—until something mysterious happens. When Isabel begins to experience premonitions of strangers in potentially life-threatening situations, she must decide what she is willing to do—and sacrifice—in order to save the people in her visions.

As her premonitions progress, the level of risk to her own life escalates, and she’s thrown into a mysterious world that will put more than just her career in jeopardy.

It is only when her life spins out of control that she is able to take chances that she never thought possible—including opening her heart to love.

There's Matt, the handsome stranger she saves from a terrible accident. But will she ever see him again? Then there's Jeremy, her thoughtful neighbor who's down on his luck. Both will shape her path and leave her breathless. But it’s another man, who she sees in her visions over and over again, who will leave her questioning everything. Does he have nine lives, or is it up to Isabel to figure out the parameters of a game she doesn't quite understand in order to truly save him?

Visions follows Isabel’s journey to find out if she has the courage she needs to save the people in her premonitions, and how, ultimately, their lives are intertwined with hers.

Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, BN

About the Author:

Laura has had a lifelong love of writing, which she explored in a successful marketing career before penning her first novel. She is fascinated by the ideas of fate and interconnectedness, central themes in her story. She loves all things humorous, laughs too loudly and finds her own jokes amusing. She has a passion for traveling and exploring the world but has a phobia of suspect hotel rooms with questionable hygiene. And, oh yeah, she doesn’t own any crystal balls.

Visions is her debut novel. She has also written a collection of short stories, entitled Unmasked Secrets.

www.lauraanile.com

Blog: www.lauraanile.com/blog

Twitter: @LauraAnile

Facebook: Laura N Anile, Author

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/laurananile

Book One- Unmasked Secrets is available for Free on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Unmasked-Secrets-Anthology-Laura-Anile-ebook/dp/B00FHBTRUQ/