Lauren Rowe is the USA Today and International #1 best-selling author of newly released Reed Rivers Trilogy, as well as The Club Trilogy, The Josh & Kat Trilogy, The Morgan Brothers Series, Countdown to Killing Kurtis, and select standalone Misadventures. Lauren’s books are full of feels, humor, heat, and heart. Besides writing novels, Lauren is the singer in a party/wedding band in her hometown of San Diego, an audio book narrator, and award-winning songwriter. She is thrilled to connect with readers all over the world. Find out more and check out lots of free bonus material at www.LaurenRoweBooks.com.

1) First, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this interview with me!  When did you know that writing is what you were called to do? What is it about being a writer that you love the most? What about being a writer frustrates you the most?

Thank you for having me! I have always loved to write. Even as a little girl, I remember playing with my Barbies for hours and hours at a time, concocting extremely elaborate, ongoing storylines for them that would span the course of months. I distinctly remember the first time I played Barbies with a little girl down the street, she only wanted to dress them, and then got bored with my way of playing within minutes . . . and it was a huge moment for me. That’s when I first realized my brain didn’t work like everyone else’s. At age ten or so, I started writing novels by hand. In college, I was a theatre & film major, so I wrote a lot of plays and screenplays at that time. But from there, I went to law school, and became a lawyer, too worried about family expectation and making an actual living to follow my dreams. Finally, though, after a cancer diagnosis eleven years ago, I quit law and became an author. Luckily, my books took off pretty quickly and I’ve been able to write full-time since almost the very beginning. 

2) Can you tell us a little about your book(s) and where our readers can find out more about them and you? 

My books are contemporary romances filled with heart, heat, and humor. I’m known for bringing very steamy stories that are also filled with deep emotion, laugh out loud humor, and characters who feel like real people. You can get them on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited. Also, many of my books are translated around the world.

3) What projects are you currently working on?

I recently released a two-book series called “The Hate Love Duet,” which I love so much. The first book is FALLING OUT OF HATE WITH YOU. Both books feature original music I wrote and produced for the books. But now it is time to write the next one, so I’ve started. I have not announced anything about the new book yet, but I expect to release it in late Fall 2021.

4) What has been your most significant achievement as a writer thus far? Where do you see yourself within your career in the next five years?

That’s tough to answer. Success is always a moving target. I’ve had a lot of milestones and achievements I’m very proud of, but I think the most honest answer to that question is the fact that I have readers who love my books. They can’t wait for the next one to come out, so they can devour it. Also, that new readers will find my latest and love it so much, they read my entire back catalog. I hear this sort of thing from readers a lot, and it’s my greatest source of joy as a writer. In five years, I hope to be alive and healthy, for one. I don’t take anything for granted on that front. And I hope to writing stories I love and that readers connect with.

5) How have you dealt with rejection within your writing career?

I eat ice cream and let myself feel sad for a bit. Then, I get moving. Literally and figuratively. I remind myself I literally can’t please everyone. It’s impossible. And also that I’d rather a group of people love, love, love, love, love what I do, and another group hate, hate, hate, hate, hate it . . . than a much larger group read my books, think they’re three stars, and forgettable. Rejection comes with the territory when you put your heart and soul out there. It’s part of the job.

6) Do you have a schedule for when you write?  Do you outline your novels?  How long does it generally take you to finish a novel?

No schedule. And I jot down rough ideas of scenes I know I want to include, but not a strict outline, no. Otherwise, I would miss out on fabulous ideas the characters send me in the moment. It takes me about three months to write the book, and a month to six weeks to edit and revise and rewrite. 

7) Do you believe that there is ever a point in life where it’s too late for an aspiring writer to become successful in this industry?  Do you feel a late start would hinder their chances?

It’s never too late, ever. That’s the great thing about writing. It might be too late to become a world-class gymnast, for instance. But you can sit down and start writing at ANY point in your life! A late start is not a hindrance! The only hindrance is not doing it. 

8) Are you an avid reader and have you always been? What’s the first book you ever read that really touched you emotionally and moved you?  Who is your favorite author? What book are you currently reading?

I read a lot more voraciously before I became a writer. Truthfully, writing takes up so much of my time. And when I’m writing I do not like to read too much because then I feel worried I’m going to subliminally steal an idea or maybe start mimicking a writing style or phrasing. It’s silly, but when I’m writing, I’m writing. When I take a break between books, I read. I read lots of non-fiction books. I’m currently reading Educated.

9) How has the current state of the world affected your writing? Because writing is an isolated practice, do you find it easier to deal with quarantine? Has it stifled your creativity or has it made you even more driven to get things done?

The current state of the world has been very hard on my productivity and creativity. Just the sadness and fear and anxiety of the world is tough on my heart and soul. Also, logistically, I’m used to having a quiet house in normal circumstances by day, but for the past year I’ve had people in the house with me literally constantly. I have found concentration to be far more difficult during Covid times. But I’ve pushed through it and released books. Just not as many as I might otherwise have written.

10) What are your thoughts about how the publishing industry as it is being represented today? Do you lean more towards traditional publishing or self-publishing as a preference? Does being a hybrid author interest you? 

I think it cannot be overstated how much Indie publishing has invaded the publishing industry and I’m all for it. I have been traditionally published and had a great experience, but I will tell you I make a whole lot more money on my Indie titles than traditional ones. I think being a hybrid author is of interest, if it would help me reach new readers who otherwise would not have found me or given me a chance. Otherwise, I’m quite happy to be Indie published, mostly, because I love having complete control over my books and career, from top to bottom. I have had traditional publishers offer to buy my Indie books and turned them down.

11) I feel like writing is a remarkable tool to help people not only express themselves, but also to cope emotionally and mentally.  I know for me I write to be and feel more authentic. What unique quality is there about you, about your art, that you feel represents your authenticity?  How does writing help you to be more empowered in your purpose?

I am a huge believer also that writing is a means to express my authentic self. And I can tell you that my truest values and feelings and thoughts are written on every page of every book I write. The relationships, humor, heart on my pages is me. Often, a character expresses something that is really me saying it. So, I do agree that writing helps me get out my own feelings and thoughts, quite a bit. I’m very much me in my books, which is why meeting readers who say they love my books feels like a personal hug to me. It’s a great feeling.