An Interview with Laura M. Parks: Freelance Writer & Author

Sylvia: Hi Laura, it is such a pleasure to interview you.  Please give our readers a brief introduction of yourself and a little about your book.

Laura: Thank you Sylvia.  I have been writing since I was 8 years old, having had a great English teacher that fostered my love for the art.  My family moved around a bunch so I had to learn to adjust quickly, that process became much of the basis for my first writings.  I have authored three books so far.  Alias “The Rose,” is a 23 year collection of poetry and prose; A Promise to God, the biography of a small town pastor that turned his town upside down with faith; and most recently, Under the Broken Halo, my personal story.  It took me more than 20 years to complete this and it was extremely healing.  I have been married four times, have four beautiful sons and live in the Phoenix area with my husband and children.

Sylvia: Yes, in reading your book, I was saddened by the fact that you suffered needless abuse as a child which led you into unhealthy relationships. The beauty of your book is that it was therapeutic for you.  I commend you for sharing your life with your readers. What inspired you to write your first book?

Laura: As I stated before, I have been writing since I was 8 years old.  Over the years, I kept up the art, expanding my knowledge base and constantly playing with the English Language.  I grew up always dreaming of seeing my name in print.  In college I entered a few pieces of poetry in to contests and had some work published in Anthologies.  By the time I reached my early 20’s I had enough poetry written to create an entire book of my own.

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

Laura: My biography, Under the Broken Halo, is about abuse, struggle, hope, and triumph.  I want my readers to feel the emotions I went through, live my life through my eyes for a little while, and find the light at the end of their own tunnels.  I can show them that anything is possible.

Sylvia: Yes, when you have faith, you can overcome the worst of situations. You are a living testimony to that.  Do you have any advice for other writers?

Laura: My best advice to other writers is to never give up.  There is a critic in every crowd and we are our own worst.  I still have some of my first rejection letters; they help keep me grounded and human.  Always have faith in yourself, your art, your gift, and share that gift with anyone and everyone willing to listen.

Sylvia: Why should we buy your book?

Laura: Readers should buy Under the Broken Halo because it will give them hope.  If you, or anyone you know, have been living a life filled with challenges and road blocks, I can give you strength to forge on.

Sylvia: Hope… such a powerful word! Once you walked away from the negative forces that plagued your life… once you found the faith to move forward, you left that victim behind you and became the VICTOR!   Is there a special place that you prefer when you write?

Laura: I love to write in bed.  Unfortunately, I don’t get that opportunity nearly as often as I would like any more.  I feel most comfortable and safe in my room, shielded from the outside world in a sense.  My “office” is currently at the foot of my bed.  I can write for hours and safely crawl in to bed when I am finished for the day.

Sylvia: What is your POWER WORD? Why this word? (A power word is a word that has great effect to the person hearing or reading it. My power word is EMPOWER)

Laura: My POWER WORD is FAITH.  I have lived my life knowing that I am not alone in this world and I didn’t get where I am all on my own.  I gave my life up to God many years ago, I am far from perfect, but my faith is strong and unwavering.  I know that I am still living and breathing because I have a purpose.

Sylvia: FAITH.. HOPE.. PURPOSE, those words are soothing to the heart and soul!  I love those words. 

What is the one question that you get asked often about Under the Broken Halo?

Laura: Many people have asked me why I wrote Under the Broken Halo.  I wrote about what I went through so that I could be a beacon of hope.  Growing up, I felt so lost, alone, and confined.  If I can save just one person from that kind of mental prison, I will have accomplished my goal in this life.

Sylvia: What marketing techniques have you used to sell your books and which ones have been most successful?

Laura: I have been using online social media for my marketing so far.  Word of mouth has been the most successful.  A friend gets the book, tells someone else who gets it as well.  With limited financial resources, I haven’t been able to do much else.

Sylvia:  Laura, where can my readers buy your book?

Laura: Readers can click on the following link, Amazon

Sylvia: Laura, it’s been a pleasure

Laura: Thank you, Sylvia. You have no idea how grateful I am for this opportunity.

Contact:

Website: http://www.authorsden.com/lauramparks

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraMParks?sk=wall

 

Laura’s recent interview at The Author’s Show:

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