Written Author Interview
- Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do outside of writing? What is a day in the life like for you?
Outside of writing I’m a healthcare consultant, life coach and caregiver to 2 family members. When I’m not writing or working on my projects I love working out, drawing and songwriting
A typical day for me involves waking up between 5:30 – 6:30, meditating, praying and doing some spiritual reading. Then at 7 or 7:30 I start getting my brother ready for his day-hab program. From 9 am to 3 pm I am working with my health care consulting clients and creative writing projects. I take a break at 3 pm, then I’m usually back at work by 5 pm until 8 or 9 pm
- What inspired your first novel? What was the thing that got you into writing in the first place?
My first book was a humorous self-help book to give women short and fun mindset tools to change their lives. I first got into writing when I was in Junior HIgh School. I had a teacher, Dr. Morrissey who loved my writing and encouraged me to let my imagination run wild. That was it for me, I was hooked. Dr. Morrissey helped me to set my creativity completely free, and I haven’t looked back since.
I’ve been creating mindset tools for over 10 years. I incorporate these tools in my humorous self-help books. These tools conquer limiting beliefs, cultivate positive self-talk, dig deeper and reflect on growth.
I use these mindset tools with my clients. I help caregivers go from feeling anxious, frustrated and overwhelmed to actualized, appreciated and overjoyed. This way caregivers are thriving, and there is care on both sides.
- How do you come up with characters? Are they spontaneous or meticulously planned?
I have developed characters for 2 different children’s shows. For each show the characters are based on the content and context of the topics. For example one show is about a diverse group of high school teenagers, and the other show is about a diverse group of middle schoolers.
I create the characters and their traits pretty spontaneously based on how I draw them. I always start out drawing their eyes and facial features. As I continue filling in their expressions, they tell me who they are, what they feel, what’s important to them, how they live their purpose. But they always start out with me drawing them and gradually I learn more about them.
- What are some of your favorite genres to read? Are there any books you’d recommend to first time readers or people looking for something new?
I’ve always been a huge science fiction fan, historical fiction and mystery fan.
I would definitely recommend anything by Octavia Butler, who completely foresaw and wrote about the atrocities of this current administration.
- What’s the most difficult thing about being a writer?
For me it’s time. Making the most of the pockets of time I have, and remembering that with every single word that I write, I am making progress. The interesting thing about time is that, I always seem to get more done than I realize. Just because I don’t have 3 – 4 hours in a row to write, that doesn’t mean that I’m not making progress.
- What is your process to completing a novel from outline to final product?
My process is usually to write, get a draft and rewrite. After the second rewrite I go through it with a fine tooth comb and edit it again. Now, with the third draft, I read through for content and edits, then I make the necessary content changes and grammatical edits. After that I print it out again and edit the book one more time, then I pass it on to my twin sister because she’s an amazing editor.
- What’s the most unhinged thing you’ve written in your novel? Don’t worry, we don’t judge here.
Honestly, in that regard I think I’m a bit boring. I haven’t written anything unhinged.
- What’s one thing about being a writer that absolutely drives you up the wall?
Waking up in the middle of the night with amazing ideas! It’s completely exhilarating and then it’s thoroughly exhausting. Sometimes I’ll wake up at 3 am and write for 3 or 4 hours, then I’ll stay awake for the rest of the day and crash at 8 or 9 pm.
It’s hilarious because I love feeling inspired and going with my creative flow, but then when night time rolls around I can’t stay awake.
- What does being a successful writer look like for you? What type of life do you want to live as a writer?
Being a successful writer for me means total economic freedom. I can live in one of my many homes, go on vacation and stay in one of my vacation homes and write from anywhere because I have my laptop with me. I love working from home, or working from wherever I find myself. But I never see myself in an office working for someone else. Those days are over.
I enjoy creating transformative content for my clients and for my audience. And I love the fact that I am accomplishing these things on my own terms.
- Describe your writing journey. If you had to write a story centered around it, do you think you could pull it off?
I think I could pull it off. The main character would be an extremely intelligent 12 year old Jamaican girl with a vivid imagination. She would see things that no one else could see and live in her vivid imagination. As she grows up readers would see her live an exciting life filled with dynamic friends, mysterious boyfriends and comical jobs that helped her pay the bills. Readers would see her keep her responsible teaching job for more than 20 years, then one day she’s awake. She decides to live for herself and make her dreams reality…and that’s when the FUN really begins!!
Follow and Connect with La-Verne Parris
Website: https://www.laverneparrislifecoach.com/
Happiness Handbook: https://a.co/d/eZgKfku
One-Liners and Power Poetry: https://a.co/d/3knGNxj
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