W. Lawrence Interview

Q. Can you tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to become a writer?

Ans. I'd done some minor writing in High School and later for gaming systems, but everything changed in 2012 when I woke up from a detailed dream that later became the storyline of Syncing Forward. I woke up my wife at 4 am and told her, and she encouraged me to write the book. In reality, she just wanted me to shut up and go back to bed, but here we are...

Q. What genre(s) do you primarily write in, and what draws you to that particular genre?

Ans. Scifi, thrillers, historical, counterfactual, and--soon--a dramatic retelling of a tragedy from my own life. It wasn't fun, but it will hopefully serve as a cautionary tale for others.

Q. What is your favorite book, and what about it resonates with you the most?

Ans. The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester. It's a classic that has aged well, the chapters are near poetry, and the storyline has never been matched, in my humble opinion.

Q. Who is your favorite author, and how have they influenced your writing?

Ans. Robert Heinlein will always be my go-to, but for more modern readers, Claire North is phenomenal. I wish I had half her talent. Oh! And Luke Smitherd... He is a great indie writer, and he narrates his own audiobooks. What a talent!

Q. How do you balance writing with other aspects of your life, such as work, family, or hobbies?

Ans. Before switching jobs, I just stopped sleeping and was a wreck. Now I am in a career that allows me far more writing time. I hate to say it, but it all comes down to control and dollars. My recommendation to aspiring writers is to go into sales, preferably in a field that has residual income. It gives you the flexibility to write more.

Q. How do you show appreciation and love to your followers and readers? Do you actively engage with them on social media or through other means?

Ans. I am always eager to get notes from readers. I celebrate every great review, a bad review stings, and an email from a fan is always answered. I've kept in touch with many folk, and they've become ARC readers for my newest books.

Q. What do you enjoy most about being an author, and what keeps you motivated to continue writing?

Ans. I love telling stories! Simple as that. It's an opportunity to make somebody else feel, think, and do. Syncing Forward is a tragedy, and many folk left reviews saying how reading my novel made them appreciate their families more. That's an accomplishment I am happy to boast.

Q. Have you ever faced writer's block, and if so, how do you overcome it?

Ans. I take a page from Asimov's playbook and work on something else. I have FOUR books and two creative projects I am working on right now.

Q. Can you share any interesting or funny anecdotes from your writing journey?

Ans. When I wrote Syncing Forward, my editor, Suzanne Lakin, told me she hated the ending so much that she threw my manuscript across the room, then admonished me not to end the book the way I did. Two weeks later, she was working on my new "last" chapter and allowed me to live.

Q. What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are just starting their writing journey?

Ans. First, decide who you are writing for. Is it just you? Your friends? Your family? Then dance like nobody's watching. If you are going to write for a broader audience, better gird up your loins and prepare for an assault on your ego. Audiences expect a quality product, and they will tell you when you fail to deliver. Also, prepare to spend money on an editor. If you don't, you will absolutely fail. No doubt in my mind, you need a good editor.

Q. Do you have any upcoming projects or works in progress that you'd like to share with your readers?

Ans. I am working on a historical adventure set in the 1860s, steeped in little-known or forgotten history, and co-writing a corresponding screenplay with a filmmaker friend of mine. I have a good feeling about this project.

Q. Finally, what are your goals and aspirations as a writer? Where do you see yourself and your writing career in the future?

Ans. I'd like to be writing full time for both the page and the small screen. I want it badly. So please, buy my stuff, leave reviews, and share on social media. I promise to bring you some rockin' stories if you do.