For Writers
Learning from others is a great way to find new tips and tricks to what works for you as an author. I was lucky enough to chat with Laura Bingham years ago to celebrate the release of one of her books. Laura was kind enough to give us a delightful interview and I wanted to share some of her tips with you:
Okay, Laura, tell us who you are and what you do.
Nearly a native of Idaho, I was born in Iowa and moved to Idaho at age four. I graduated from Ricks College with an Associates degree and from Boise State University with a Bachelor degree in Biology as well as certification to teach all science subjects in secondary education in the state of Idaho. In my backyard stands a dance studio where I teach youth of all ages clogging and Irish dance. I live in Boise, Idaho with my husband and five young children.
I knew I liked her! I’m from Idaho also–born and raised!
What type of writer are you? Do you plan ahead/plot or do you simply fly by the seat of your pants?
I have a general idea of what the story line is, and then I write in the rest. I love finding out new dimensions of the characters and stories as I write. Always, something unexpected turns up as I go.
Do you write best at a certain time of the day?
Whenever it’s quiet. I’m not picky.
Now that answer is a sign of a true writer, huh? We have to take those writing minutes whenever we get them, especially with little kids running around.
What food or snack keeps the words flowing?
Dark chocolate is the food of life. I don’t really snack while I write, but sometimes I bring hot chocolate to the computer.
Dark chocolate is my bosom buddy–but it really needs to be Dove. 🙂
What sparks a story?
Alvor was the first novel I wrote and it comes with its own story. I wanted to write a book, not a burning need or an unmet goal in life, just a desire. I told my husband that I wanted to write one, and he asked me what I needed to start. I said I had to know what the story was going to be about. This was late at night after we were already in bed. I’m a night owl. He fell asleep five seconds after our conversation. Then the story of Alvor spilled into my head. The characters and the plot- I somehow had a story laid out in front of me. That’s where it all started for me.
What was it about your genre that interested you enough to choose to write in it and not in another genre?
I guess I never grew up. I love kids. I used to teach 9th graders at school. I still teach kids clogging. I love fantasy realism where the story mixes real life with some kind of magic or super power.
What’s the best advice you ever received?
There is more than one story. You have as many opportunities as you create for yourself.
That is a fantastic piece of advice. Thanks for sharing it!
I believe good writers read a lot. What do you use to mark your page when reading?
That depends on where in the house the book is located. I read while I work out (a perfect motivator) and I have a book holder on my elliptical fitness trainer where I use binder clips to hold the pages down while I work out. Then there’s always a book behind the sofa. Right now the page is held by a power company’s lightening bug bookmark/ruler that my second grade son brought home from school a couple months ago.
What one thing do you like most about writing? Least?
I love losing myself in the story and feeling like time has no meaning. It gives me such a happy boost to write several pages in one sitting. What I like least- not getting enough uninterrupted time. I can’t write if I don’t have enough time to get my head back into the story.
What advice would you pass along at this point in your career?
Don’t stop writing. Always move forward. Don’t give up in the face of rejection. Seek help through writers groups, writers conferences and the internet. Find other authors and read their stories of how they got published.
Thank you Laura for your great advice and insight into your author world.
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