1. Thank you for joining The Lovely Books today, first and foremost, how are you doing today?

I am doing fantastic. It's a bit rainy here but I like that.

2. When did you first start writing?

I started officially when my first book came out in 2005. My first book was a memoir, Happy Beginnings: How I Became My Own Fairy Godmother. The story came about as I started writing about the changes my life was taking after losing my mother to cancer and my husband leaving me. It was earth shattering losing everything I really knew within three years, so I started writing about the loss, myself, and who I wanted to be. The story was about starting over and how women really get lost in roles and forget to put their happiness as a priority. While writing my memoir I began a novel called, Beatrice Munson. I wrote half of it and put it away. In 2010 I picked up Beatrice Munson again and finished it in nine months. It was the beginning of my career as a novelist.

3. How did you come up with the title to House on Plunkett Street?

I knew the story was going to take place in this apartment and I don't know, the name just sort of popped into my head and it worked.

4. Are you a cat person or dog person?

Dog...my dream dog is a brown Newfoundland.  I already have a name picked out for him, George.

5. Tell us a little about House on Plunkett Street.

It is the story of a woman in her late twenties, Phoebe Bertram. She's always been ignored and overlooked. She's bland and just has a mediocre life. Then things start getting shaken up and she has to move into the apartment on Plunkett Street. Everything begins to change when she moves in. The house seems to have energy of its own. Then one night she dreams of three women from different eras sitting on her couch. Amazingly enough, these same women come back and begin visiting Phoebe. They become like life coaches and teach her about how to not merely just exist in her life, but live it.

6. Do you see a little of yourself inside of Phoebe?

Not so much myself, as a lot of young women I know. It seems these women in their late twenties to early thirties aren't quite sure what they want. And this story is about how easy it can be to simply float along letting life pull you without engaging in what happens to you. Phoebe isn't a bad person; she's just not sure who she is. These ghosts that come back have learned a thing or two and the show what steps to take to change. But the work is done by Phoebe. I guess I felt it would've been nice to have had someone guide me. There is so much possiblity but yet not always the support to make daring decisions.

7. Who are your literary heroes?

I love Stephen King. I love his amazing way of building, developing, and incorporating characters in a story. He's a master at it.

I love Shakespeare. His words are so beautiful at times and raunchy at others. When they are heard as a play, they take on such unbelievable dimension.

I also love Jane Austen. I know...so girly. But Jane was able to create characters with great balance and stories that made you hate people in them. That's a talent.

8. What are your favorite books to read? Have a secret spot you read them at?

I have very eclectic taste. One night I'm reading Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum books the next Stephen King's The Stand. I like to read books that are interesting and different. I hate being able to figure out the whole plot of the book in the first few chapters.

I like to get comfy on the couch with a cup of tea and a lot of pillows to prop up my head. As long as I don't fall asleep, it's great.

9. Pink or purple?

Deep purple. It's actually one of the colors I've chosen for my wedding.

10. What is your idea of the perfect man?

My fiancée. I know that sounds so corny huh, ugh! But it's true. He is the perfect man....for me.

That is the most important thing that women need to know. There is no perfect man, but there is a perfect man for you.

Mine is smart, strong, gentle, adores me, understands me, makes me laugh like crazy, and is my best friend.

11. Any future projects in store?

Oh yes. I have nine novels in my writing queue. My next book is a thriller called, The X. It's about a woman whose happy life in suburbia is shattered one day when her husband files for divorce and then lures her teenage boys away. She finds out there is more going on than she could know and has to become strong to find out what's going on and get her boys back. She teams up with an ex-FBI guy and it's a wild ride.

12. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Yes, write. It is that simple. Don't worry about whether people will like it or what you're trying to say. Just write what you want and keep writing. Eventually it will all come together. That's when you can go back and get a professional editor to help you clean things up.

Second piece of advice. Get a thick skin. Not everyone will like your books and plenty will tell you why. Take that criticism and use it to make you a better writer, and then keep writing.

13. What are some words you would like to share with your fans?
 
First, thank you for being fans and buying my work. I like to tell stories and I love to bring new and interesting characters to the page. Please write me at Lorena@LorenaBBooks.com if you have anything you want to say. I love critique that makes me better. Or if you have an idea, need some support in the writing process, or just want to be friends.
 
Being a writer can be lonely, so we authors have to stick together.
 
But mostly, remember to follow your dreams. Because when you do you'll be amazed what life brings you.
 
Thank you, Jessica for the opportunity to answer these fun questions. I am so glad to be able to connect with individuals like you who give such support to us authors. You bring our work to light and I am eternally grateful for that.
 
My closing remarks:
Thank you so much Lorena, it was such a pleasure getting to know you and read your book. Your answers were very honest and heartfelt. I look forward to working with you in future projects.
 
My review will be up tomorrow because I want all the spotlight to be just on Lorena for tonight. Tomorrow all the sportlight will be about her book House on Plunkett Street. Which reminds me, go and sign up to win a free ebook! The giveaway ends on 21st of this month.
 
So if you have not yet entered please do asap, and help spread the word about this wonderful author.