I am so excited to introduce you to my friend and writing mentor Laurel Thomas.
Laurel Thomas crafts stories of ordinary characters who achieve the extraordinary. Her book, River’s Call, is an award-winning historical novel based in the deep South. History and the fantastic mesh in her fantasy series, When Stars Brush Earth and Stones of Promise, published by Wild Rose Press.
Through Write Your Heart Out! and WriterCon Oklahoma City, she teaches and supports other
multi-published industry professionals who equip writers for success through
national conferences and weekend intensives.
Laurel and I met at a WriterCon, a writing conference in Oklahoma City, where Laurel extended the hand of friendship to me when I’d just stepped into the world of writing. She took the time to encourage me and invited me to her online group of writers, Write Your Heart Out!, where I realized the importance of belonging to a writing community!
I hope you’ll take a moment to join me, maybe with a warm, creamy cup of coffee, or iced coffee if your temps have gone up, and get to know my friend
Laurel Thomas, Write Your Heart Out! Novelist and Coach
Christina: Please tell me a little about yourself!
Laurel Thomas: Some of my happiest moments are writing stories about ordinary characters who somehow manage to rise to the extraordinary. My first novel, River’s Call, came from my memories of the South as a new stepchild from Minnesota. Even now, I remember the smell of rain on hot summer afternoons. When Stars Brush Earth and Stones of Promise both have elements of my favorite Biblical mysteries – the historical Magi and cities of refuge.
My coaching business, Write Your Heart Out! Came from my dream to see emerging authors release the book of their dreams.
Christina: Let’s talk books! What is your book called?
Laurel Thomas: When Stars Brush Earth
Christina: When was it released?
Laurel Thomas: October 2022
Christina: Is it a series?
Laurel Thomas: Yes! Stones of Promise, the second in the series, released in February 2023
Christina: Exciting! Can you share your book blurb with me?
Laurel Thomas: Seventeen-year old Maura O’Donnell’s strange eyes and love of the stars make her an outcast in her small village. When a child dies in her care, Maura flees the child’s father to a mysterious city known for its refuge. Appearances lie and she’s caught in a snare laid by a supernatural enemy who lusts after her ability to see the unseen. With only five days before her trial, it’s a race to discern friend versus foe. What Maura rejects in herself is key to averting a diabolical plot. The stars have a voice, but will Maura hear their message in time to save a generation of children?
Christina: What is the inspiration behind your story?
Laurel Thomas: I always thought the cities of refuge in the Old Testament were intriguing. Although God put each city in place strategically, they eventually became corrupted. What if a young woman, falsely accused, ran to a magical city called Sanctuary and found a trap, instead?
Christina: What’s your favorite part of your writing process?
Laurel Thomas: I love how the seed of an idea fleshes out (eventually) into a story of redemption and grace!
Christina: If you could give one piece of advice to budding creatives, what would it be?
Laurel Thomas: Get connected to a community of other writers! We need each other!
Christina: Great advice! Now for some fun! Name something quirky in your workspace. Can you give a little backstory about said item?
Laurel Thomas: We homeschool our twelve-year-old grandson. He’s cute and quirky!
Christina: What is your favorite snack to get your creative juices flowing?
Laurel Thomas: Iced coffee!
Christina: Perfect! What book are you reading right now?
Laurel Thomas: Distant Shores by Kristin Hannah.
Christina: Okay, you just won free tickets to anywhere in the world! Where are you going? And who are you taking?
Laurel Thomas: A European riverboat cruise with my hubby!
Christina: Great choice! What will you be working on next?
Laurel Thomas: My next novel in the series, Her Name is Gatekeeper.
Christina: What are you looking forward to over the next few months?
Laurel Thomas: We’re cruising with WriterCon in early April to the Western Caribbean. Woot!
Christina: Sounds super fun! What childhood story has stuck with you through adulthood?
Laurel Thomas: To Kill A Mockingbird
Christina: How many unfinished projects do you have?
Laurel Thomas: Uhmmm. I have a list.
Christina: Plotter or Pantser?
Laurel Thomas: A Pantser, even though I’ve tried to reform my process.
Thank you so much, Laurel, for sharing some of your heart with me today!
To connect with Laurel, please go to:
http://www.writewithlaurel.com
And to check out Laurel’s books, please click the links below!