IBB: Tell us a little about yourself and your work.

LLR: I am a sociologist specializing in teen and parent communication, but they call me the Teen and Parent Relationship Whisperer.

IBB: Were there any particular parts of the writing/publishing process that you struggled with?

LLR: Yes! All of it. Like most writers though, I write because I am compelled to write. Writing is how I process the world.

IBB: Where do you like to write?

LLR: I like to write outside. I try to find new places. But my favorite place is out of the back of my SUV on the beach. 

IBB: Is there anything you must have in order to write?

LLR: Yes, but my needs are simple. Generally, I need solitude, quiet and my laptop.

IBB: What books have influenced you most, both as a person and as an author?

LLR: Personally: Crockett Johnson’s Harold and the Purple Crayon and Shel Silverstein’s, The Giving Tree and The Bible.

Professionally: William Corsaro’s, Sociology of Childhood; Shefali Tsabary’s, Conscious Parenting

IBB: What is the one thing that has helped you develop most as an author?

LLR: I hired a book coach. Mentors at every turn are important to the process of writing, editing, publishing and marketing. No one achieves without mentors.

IBB: What do you want to achieve most from your writing?

LLR: I want to be of service to others.

IBB: Is there something specific you do to improve your writing?

LLR: Read it out loud when self-editing. Be open to criticism. Hire a book coach and work with an editor, specific to each project.

IBB: What is the ideal relationship between editor and author?

LLR: Two-way trust.

IBB: If you had a direct line to someone who loves or hates your writing, what would you say?

LLR: Take what you like and leave the rest.

IBB: If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring author, what would it be?

LLR: Write and then share it. Edit. Repeat. It’s really that simple.

IBB: What does your writing future hold for you?

LLR: The Spanish translation of How to Raise Respectful Parents will be released this month. I have 2 projects in the works. One is the companion book to How to Raise Respectful Parents, targeting parents from a sociological perspective, not psychological. It will be awhile before its published. The other unrelated title is, The Quick Start Guide to Grant Writing for Authors. It will be out Spring 2018.

IBB: How have you set about the task of creating enticing cover art?

LLR: I work with a wonderful designer out of the Philippines. I make suggestions and magically he shapes it. I’m never disappointed.

IBB: How often do you read? What genre?

LLR: I usually read in spirituality, sociology, anthropology or psychology. Sometimes I read history. But I always read, every day.

IBB: Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. Best of luck in the future.

For more on Laura, please visit:

www.LauraLReagan.com

by