Laura McNeill's Blog

For writers and creative types (and really, everyone else!) there's no better way to start your day than with a "Story Genius" Breakfast. Get the recipe here.

The post Cooking the Books: A Story Genius Breakfast appeared first on Laura McNeill.

In my house, we love enjoying fresh-baked treats while reading our favorite books. Today, I wanted to share one of our favorite recipes – Twisty Sourdough Pretzels! They’re buttery, delicious, and melt in your mouth when they’re still warm. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 2 baking sheets with parchment paper, lightly oiled (use olive...

The post Cooking the Books: Twisty Sourdough Pretzels appeared first on Laura McNeill.

I adore the holiday season. I love the twinkle of lights, stockings hung by the fireplace, the nip in the air (even in Birmingham, Alabama), and the scent of delicious treats, fresh from the oven, wafting through the house. In our house, the holiday season means baking cookies. Lots of cookies. Batches of sugar cookies....

The post What Decorating Cookies Can Teach Writers About Story Detail appeared first on Laura McNeill.

Yes, I’m one of the (semi) crazy ones. This year, over-committed and over-caffeinated, I joined hundreds of thousands of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) writers worldwide. By signing on, authors accept the challenge of writing 50,000 words in a month. That’s a commitment of 1,667 words every day, rain or shine, despite relatives, work, school, and national...

The post 3 Over-Caffeinated Lessons Learned from NaNoWriMo 2018 appeared first on Laura McNeill.

Dear Friends – I’m excited to share Women Leaders~With Inspiring Stories debuts today on Amazon for $.99! In Women Leaders, 10 authors, life coaches, entrepreneurs, & working moms share their personal stories of overcoming challenges & discovering personal and professional success.   Click below for your copy:   Kindle for US Readers Kindle for UK Readers Kindle for Canada...

The post 10 Stories of Hope & Inspiration for the Holiday Season appeared first on .

Hi Friends,

I am in deep in the middle of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), working on my next book, but hit the pause button today to visit the blog of Karen Pokras Toz!

Jump on over to Karen’s site for all of the details on my new Lauren Clark novel, The World Breaks Everyone.

On the blog today, we chat about TWBE, the story behind the title and the cover, what I’m working on now, writing tips, and BEST OF ALL – you can enter our Fabulous Fall Giveaway (In all, we’ll be giving away a big prize pack (t-shirt, coffee, ceramic mug, Starbucks latte mix, and more) as well as 3 TWBE Kindle books! The drawing will be held November 18th through Gleam.

Fabulous Fall Giveaway from Lauren Clark & Karen Pokras Toz

Entering is easy and free! Best of luck and I hope you’re having a spectacular November!

xo,

Laura

 

BTW – Karen is a fabulous writer! Nate Rocks Series (middle-grade) is the best! Check out all of her great books here: http://www.karentoz.com/

 

I’m often asked how I created the storyline for my latest suspense novel, The World Breaks Everyone. I’m a huge fan of psychological drama and thrillers, so I wanted to write a twisty-turny book with a quick pace, a strong heroine, and lots of secrets.

For me, writing a novel always begins with a character in trouble or facing a huge life dilemma. For TWBE, I kept picturing a teenage girl–in danger and on the run–in New Orleans. I saw her as the daughter of a famous restaurateur, a man who’d struggled to get to the top of his game.

To make things more complicated, both father and daughter had experienced great loss (Olivia’s mother/Theo’s wife) and were still struggling to overcome and make sense of it years later. The fact that Olivia’s parents’ marriage was interracial blends well with the New Orleans melting pot–it’s a city that (for the most part) embraces and accepts its people. Olivia’s wealthy and society-obsessed grandparents, of course, stand in stark contrast to that, which adds a distinct layer of tension.

From there, the idea of a large trust fund and overbearing/controlling relatives complicated matters nicely. The cast of characters came together after that, with Kate (Theo’s girlfriend) being the smart and savvy “outside observer.” I also really enjoyed writing about the camaraderie of the Elements restaurant staff and the complicated relationship between Theo and other characters. The book required a bit of research, as well, which I love. For this novel, my research involved the city’s many cemeteries, streetcars, and non-profit organizations.

New Orleans seemed the only place to set this story–it is a city I’ve visited quite frequently, especially when I lived in Mobile, AL and was only 2 hours away. I was there just a few months ago and it still holds the same charm and magic. It’s a city with great atmosphere, fantastic architecture, great bookstores (Octavia Books, Faulkner House Books, Garden District Book Shop), and exceptional music (Frenchman Street is a must-visit!). 

As HarperCollins still owns the rights to the Laura McNeill Center of Gravity and Sister Dear novels, I chose to use my pen name, Lauren Clark, so that I could manage my author profile on book sites and begin building a suspense list under that name. I’m currently working on a new suspense novel, this one set in the late 1940’s New York, involving a high-profile “delivery,” a hardened criminal with a vendetta, and long-buried secrets. More details to come!

I’d love to answer any questions about TWBE!

xx,

Laura

 

image credit: pixabay

My 13-year-old son loves Stranger Things. He sits on the sofa, rapt, as the music starts and the action begins. He can’t wait for season 3. And, not long ago, he invited me to watch it with him. I figure it’s either because I’m the coolest mom on the block or he’s expecting the fright of his life. (I know, I know. The latter.)

Still, as a parent, I savored the experience, absorbing the show and his reactions. The grins. The shrieks. The looks of horror. The bouncing up and down, anticipating “what would happen next.” As an author, I’m fascinated by how the stories unfold, how the writers craft the characters, how the setting matches the storyline. What draws people in? What holds their attention? What makes this an I-have-to-see-what-happens-next?

Of course, we binge-watched the season, consuming it like starving teenagers after football practice. Which got me thinking about writing. And characters. And all the goodness that goes into creating and executing a damn fine story. What lessons can I learn from this monster-infested, chilling sci-fi thriller that’s captured the imagination of millions of viewers across the globe?

Here are my six writing takeaways:

The characters are relatable. No Kardashians allowed. Garden-variety kids play the starring roles. There are the endearing nerds. The snobs. The bullies. The awkward, crush-worthy teens. The exhausted moms and dads with not-very-glamorous jobs. The frustrated, over-worked cop. The geeky science teacher. We can’t help but see ourselves in Dustin, Mike, or Nancy. Our hearts go out to Eleven.
The setting is familiar, but with a wow-factor. I grew up in a town like Hawkins, Indiana. The streets and buildings epitomize middle-America. The houses are normal; no McMansions here. My high school could be a replica of the show’s school. And with the 80’s soundtrack playing, we feel immediately comfortable as each episode unfolds. That said, the sci-fi twists whisk us into the Upside Down, home to faceless human-devouring beasts.
The plot twists and turns. From the first moment of each show to the last, it’s go time. The tension builds to epic proportions. The writers don’t waste time with boring back story or yawn-inducing tea drinking. Every character, every symbol, every line of dialogue matters. Is Will alive? Who is Eleven? What’s really going on at the eerie lab?
The protagonists make mistakes. Let’s face it. Perfect is boring. If the characters made all the right moves, we wouldn’t be clutching the sofa cushions or covering our mouth stifling screams. Instead, the boys launch “Operation Mirkwood.” Dustin “adopts” and named a Demogorgon. More people die. Or disappear. And life for our little heroes gets worse. Much worse. And we love them for it.
The villains are worthy adversaries. Go big or go home. These are not your average criminals, petty thieves, or hackers. We don’t know the enemy—at first—or what to think about these creatures lurking inside walls and small kids. What we glimpse is downright terrifying.
The quest is life or death. Make no mistake. The characters are fighting for their lives. Eleven is running away from the military and lab’s creepy-good Dr. Martin Brenner. Nancy’s friend Barb goes missing. Joyce fears she can’t save her son. Eleven’s telepathic powers aren’t enough to rescue everyone. And just when you think everything’s back to normal, the writers foreshadow a bigger, badder nemesis.

What do you think? Are there relatable characters? Twists and turns? Life or death? A worthy adversary? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this extraordinary show that’s captivated so many hearts and minds.

xx,

Laura

I’m always looking for new books to read, so when I ran across this book giveaway, I added my new LAUREN CLARK release, The World Breaks Everyone (99 cents this week!), to the list! Click the link below to join in the fun!

Win up to 40+ eBooks!
(2) Grand Prize “Gift Baskets” of ALL eBooks!

(40+) Winners of Individual eBooks (randomly selected titles)

(2) Grand Prize “Gift Baskets” of ALL eBooks!

(40+) Winners of Individual eBooks (randomly selected titles)

 

Authors Participating: Elleby Harper, Becki Willis, Jason Stanley, Scott Bury, Heather Blanton, Lauren Clark, Mike Markel, CB Samet, Sally J. Smith, P.S. Broaddus, Emma Calin, Kia Carrington-Russell, Michael Altieri, Duane Lindsay, Rhonda Hopkins, Penn Wallace, Anna Celeste Burke, Sam Cheever, Colleen Helme, Colleen Mooney, Leslie Wolfe, Margaret Lashley, Willow Rose, J.J. DiBenedetto, Simone Leigh, Victoria Dougherty, Cindy Bell, Debra Burroughs, Traci Highland, Meredith Potts, Susan Sheehey, Elise Noble, D.M. Barr, Teresa Burrell, Kelly Oliver, Roger B. Burt, N.C. Lewis, Darcia Helle, Alan Chaput, Nancy G West, amy vansant, Stella St. Claire, Lucinda E Clarke, Eric J. Gates, Harper Harris

 

THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY!

~ LAURA

Nearly two years ago, I had reached writer-burnout. I’d released two suspense novels back to back, done large, multi-state book tours, and was about to enter my second year of graduate school. I had moved for a new full-time job (with two growing boys) and was trying to wrap up the final pages of my third suspense novel.

But instead of buckling down to crank out edits on The World Breaks Everyone, I let it go, along with all of my social media accounts. I focused on family, my day job, and school. About five months ago, my long-time editor and friend, Laura Pepper Wu, reached out, as she’d moved back to London. Long story short, I sent her the manuscript, she sent back an editorial letter, and I’ve been steadily updating the novel ever since.

The story, set in New Orleans, begins with an attack on the daughter of a famous restauranteur. She escapes and goes on the run, attempting to figure out why someone might want her dead. I’m hoping for a July 2018 release of The World Breaks Everyone. Here’s a look at the cover! I hope you all love it. (and the book, too!)

To finish up TWBE, I’m also giving Scrivener a try(author software for word processing, outlining, & mobile app), as it has some awesome organizational tools! I’ll use a future post to let you know how I like it.

Back to my blog post topic … You really don’t need a reason to take an “author break,” but if you’re feeling burned out, here are five reasons to put a pause on the writing, at least for a few weeks:

You’re so busy you can’t think straight. Give your to-do list some love. Sometimes it takes crossing some items off your list to be able to think straight about writing!
Your child, parents, family, partner, or pet needs attention. Seriously, life gets in the way sometimes, and you have to take care of those people you love. Let yourself off the hook and put on your mom/dad/caregiver hat!
You aren’t happy with the writing. Most days, I try to push through the terrible chapters – after all, we are our own worst critic! However, there are times when we simply spin our wheels, editing the same page or re-writing the same paragraph. When that happens, it’s time to take a break.
The words aren’t coming. Everyone deals with a bit of writer’s block. When this happens, I try to get a change of scenery. I find that taking a walk, exercising, or reading a book helps my creativity bounce back.
You need to brainstorm or think about nothing at all. When the ideas and writing are not syncing, I find that it’s best to step away from the laptop. This is when I brainstorm with a best friend, make a mind map, or list ideas on notecards. Or, just lose yourself in a mindless Netflix or Hulu binge … but make it a temporary one.

I also recommend, for those of you who need an extra push organizing and prioritizing your to do [image error][image error], reading Get Your Sh*t Together. If you can tolerate the language, Sarah Knight’s book is funny and right on target. (I listened on Audible).

Even though I am usually eager to get a project wrapped up, taking a break for a few weeks after finishing my first draft is always a good idea. I work on brainstorming or outlining a new story or catch up on my “for pleasure” reading. After the work-in-progress percolates for a while, my brain manages to come up with additional twists or better phrasing – totally worth it — and a better story for my readers!

How about you? If you’re a writer or creative type, do you take a time out? What are your best tips and tricks?

~ Laura

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