Pump Up Chats with Women’s Fiction Author Laina Turner-Molaski

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Laina Laina Turner-Molaski is a business woman, mom, author, Professor, and a major supporter of shopping. She has an undying love for shoes and coffee, which is why she created her main character and alter-ego Presley Thurman.

With many letters after her name and a ton of student loan debt, she is always working to pay the bills. While she enjoys her day job, her passion is writing, and she uses a lot of company time writing her fiction or working on her social website for women, Chiczofrenic.com. She is hoping to sell her book before she gets fired from her day job for goofing off.

Laina is currently living in Indiana, with her family, and is always writing something, whether it’s blogs, articles, business journals and books or ideas for her next novel. She is continuously doing what she loves which is writing or drinking coffee.

You can find her online at: http://www.lainaturner.com/

On Stilettos & Scoundrels

Q: Can you tell us why you wrote your book?

As an only child growing up I always made up stories in my head. As an adult I do that same but rather than be the crazy lady that talks to herself and laughs at herself I decided to write don what was in my head (most of it anyways) and se if I could entertain others.

Q: Which part of the book was the hardest to write?

The details. I can pretty much see the story from start to finish in my head and get that out. But when it comes to fleshing out the details i.e. setting details, characteristics of characters I find it much more difficult to translate what is in my head to paper. In my head it just “is” and actually writing it down….HARD!

Q: Does your book have an underlying message that readers should know about?

This is a fun fiction book that has a little mystery and a little romance. I want people to read this and just enjoy.

On Writing

Q: Do you remember when the writing bug hit?

In second grade. I started writing books about girls with horses with my friend Michele. I continued to write all types of different genres. Just kind of depended on my flavor at the time. I never really finished anything until I became older as I always thought of a new idea and got bored of the old one. I still do that I am just now more disciplined.

Q: What’s the most frustrating thing about becoming a published author and what’s the most rewarding?

That the marketing of the book is harder than the writing. I find it hard to balance writing my next one with promoting the one I have now but I can’t stop on either front. The momentum has to keep going.

Q: Do you have a writing tip you’d like to share?

This isn’t revolutionary but write even when you think you can’t. It doesn’t have to be on the story you are working on. Don’t let writers block overcome you but shutting you down. Write anything. Even a grocery or to do list.

On Family and Home:

Q: Would you like to tell us about your home life? Where you live? Family? Pets?

I live just north of Indianapolis, Indiana in a suburb called Fishers. I have lived her about 10 years and am originally from the Flint, Michigan area. I have two wonderful children: a boy, 9 ½ and a girl 5. I am lucky to have them but they keep me on my toes. My son is an entrepreneur, always willing to help me sell my books, for 50% of the sales.

Q: Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

To my chiropractors dismay it is on the couch in front of the TV. I have to have noise.

Q: What do you do to get away from it all?

I love to go to movies by myself. I do that a lot when I am stressed and feel I can’t write. I lose myself in a movie and enjoy laughing or crying (depending on the film) with a bunch of people I don’t know. No one to bug me but I am still with people.

On Childhood:

Q: Were you the kind of child who always had a book in her/his hand?

Yes and I still am. My parents spent so much money on books and I do now. I have books in my purse, in my car, all over the house. Any minute I have free I try to read.

Q: Can you remember your favorite book?

Flowers For Algernon by David Keyes. My mother was an English teacher and this was one of her favorites. She had me read it at a young age and I can never get enough.

Q: Do you remember writing stories when you were a child?

I do and I still have one I wrote in second grade in storage. One of these days I am going to type it up as it is written in pencil and do something with it.

On Book Promotion:

Q: What was the first thing you did as far as promoting your book?

A website and searching out places to interact online that were book related and setting up local signings.

Q: Are you familiar with the social networks and do you actively participate?

Very much so. I have met so many fascinating people via social media.

Q: How do you think book promotion has changed over the years?

It weighs very heavy on the author. You need a platform that engages people.

On Other Fun Stuff:

Q: If you had one wish, what would that be?

To have enough money to take my kids and a tutor and travel the world for one year.

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world other than where you are right now, where would that place be?

An island in the Caribbean with a house on the beach.

Q: Your book has just been awarded a Pulitzer. Who would you thank?

My mother for giving me the gift of reading and writing.

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

-- Sheila Roberts, Author of Winter at the Beach