Long story short, I took a creative writing course in high school. I liked it so much that I took it again the next semester and then I took one in college. I found that I loved writing better than art.
What was your founding inspiration?
I can't really pin point it. I think i was inspired by other writers, the idea of becoming a published author, and having that distinction. Once, I 'd joined a writing group and one of the members was published by Zebra while I was there. I was in awe to be in such company, plus there was one published poet and a few that dabbled in other things, and our teacher had been published multiple times. That was in 1983. However, instead of being inspired, it sort of backfired; I felt I would never measure up. I quit writing for a full year, and returned to it, because the need to write was so great.
What made you decide to self publish your books?
Well, by the time I'd reached my fiftieth birthday, and having tried so many times to get a book published, or getting an agent, and having goner through so many rejections that I simply couldn't face opening them up anymore-you do reach a breaking point. So, the question was "do I want a book published?" The answer was yes.
How hard has that decision been for you?
It wasn't a hard decision to make at all. The difficult part was to find a publisher that wasn't going to try and trickle in little expenses here and there-because many of them do. So, I began checking out different POSs. My first book was with Infinity. They didn't charge a great deal, and their contract was very simple. However, this time I went with Copperhill Media, who charged me nothing and they work just as hard to get my book noticed, or they make no money. In my opinion, it's what a POD should do, but so few do it. I would suggest to all who are seeking to be published, to try it the traditional way first. Try to obtain an agent, and go from there. But always remember there are other options when you're done receiving rejections.
How many years have you been writing?
Since 1972-you do the math.
What are your aspirations?
To retire comfortably with at least a dozen books out there. I don't wish to be rich, I merely want to share my writing with people who would enjoy what I write. I think that's the ego of the writer, more than the money-but I love the royalty checks too!
What advice can you give to some of us who might want to consider self publishing?
Check the company out thoroughly. Check them on warning sites. Check the contract carefully. If you can't get a copy of their contract online, ask them for it. And don't sign if there's anything on it that either makes you feel uncomfortable, or that they refuse to explain. If you can, have another person such as a lawyer review the contract as well.
Who are your favorite authors?
It's a cross section of different genres, because I think a writer should read different genres to get a feel of how to write before they try to emulate anyone. But J.K. Rowling, Dean Koontz, Kim Harrison, Charlaine Harris, Janet Evanovich-these authors are my favorites.
Can you give us a snippet of what to expect from Vampire Ascending?
Sabrina Strong is a Touch Clairvoyant who knows a secret. She knows her mother was turned into a vampire when she was ten. Now that she is grown up, a powerful magnate in the Chicago business world hires her to reveal the identity of who relentlessly murders vampires in his ultra-modern stronghold of a hotel.
Sabrina is not thrilled about the aspect of working for vampires, but she needs the money, and she wants to find the gorgeous and mysterious vampire who has been turning up in her dreams. Is he the one who bit her when she was ten, marked her for his own, and turned her mother so long ago?
Little does Sabrina know that her whole life is about to change as her best friend becomes a victim, too and Sabrina is the only one who can find her. Her friends fate intensifies the desperate need to find the murderer and, consequently, brings her into contact with a rouge vampire.
Sabrina is quickly immersed in romantic trysts and dangerous situations involving scheming vampires, shift changes, and werewolves.
Now for a little need to know information about Vampire Ascending:
Vampire Ascending can be purchased here or at Amazon. You should check out the reviews she been getting at Amazon. Here's the latest:
“Vampire Ascending is a captivating blend of action, intrigue, romance and the supernatural. Lorelei Bell has incorporated humor with a fast-pace that makes for exciting reading, and has developed a heroine that is engaging, quirky, and appealing. If you are a fan of Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse Series, I believe you are in for a treat. I didn't want to put this book down and I look forward to more from Lorelei Bell.”
~~ Yolanda Campbell reprinted from Amazon.com
How cool is that?
You can check out Lorelei's blog at http://loreleismuse-lorelei.blogspot.com/ or if you're around, she'll be holding a book signing at the Borders in Dekalb, Il from 3-5 pm on January 8th.
Lorelei is currently working on books 2 and 3 of the series. She hopes to have Vampire's Trill out this spring.
Lastly, I would like to say that I wish Lorelei all the luck and success I can offer. And thanks for sharing your story with us.
What a great interview -- thoughtful questions tailored to the subject, and great answers. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteYour post really encouraged me. I related with the author in so many ways. Having past the 50-year mark myself, I understand those feelings of quiet resignation that push a writer towards the self-publishing decision.
ReplyDeleteThe realization hits you that if you really want to hold your book in your hands before the age of 80, you just might have to publish it yourself. Is that such a bad thing? According to Lorelei, it's not. I like this author!!! Thanks for the fantastic interview.
This was an encouraging post. Currently, my manuscript "Secondhand SHoes" is in the hands of Wyley-Merrick and am still waiting to hear if they'll market me. In the meantime, I'm polishing it and working on my next book "The Boy Next Door" and have laid out the story board for a futuristic series.
ReplyDeleteLike Loralie, I'm forty-five and have set my pen down many times always to pick it back up. At nine I was told that my dream was ridiculous. At ten I read another schoolmates stuff that was beautiful. At sixteen I had a teacher who ripped me up side and down the other for something I wrote. In college, had a professor who I swear hated my guts because I wrote things out of mainstream on purpose(didn't want to be like everyone else). At thirty I wrote the first chapter to Secondhand Shoes and put it away. Single motherhood plus three jobs got in the way. Sometimes self doubt does, too.
It's my writing groups and my characters now that keep me going forward.
Loved this post. Looking forward to reading more like it.
Thank you.
Shelly, jodeeluna, Amie--thanks for your comments. For those of you who are struggling with your writing we all need each other to lean on. I just posted something at my blog, and would love if some of you would come and check this out. http://loreleismuse-lorelei.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI plan on having a number of interviews with people like you--the struggling writers out there who need to air their plight, know they're all on common ground and know they are not alone.
Come check it out.
To all of you, you're welcome. It was a pleasure to do this interview. Lorelei has become a friend to me. I know she'd talk me off the ledge any day of the week if I were ever tempted to loiter on ledges that is. I think the main thing is to stay positive. We must always believe in ourselves and as I told another writer this week, sometimes things don't happen when we want them to, they happen when they're supposed to. That's not to say that it's not normal to ball up your fists and rant occasionally, but all things happen for a reason. I totally believe that.
ReplyDeleteAn outstanding interview, and some very handy tips! Well done!
ReplyDelete