New Adult Book Club discussion

The New Adult Book Club welcomes author Selena Laurence for a Q&A over the next two weeks! Selena is the author of the Lush Rock Star Series, the Hiding From Love series, and her newest release, Speaking Greek.

Leave your questions for Selena below!

Favorite author?

If you could trade places for a week with any character from any book, who would it be and why?

If you had a time machine, where and what time period would you like to go visit and why?

How long does it take you to write a book? Do you plot or are you a fly by the seat of your pants type of writer? Research?

Megan Lynn wrote: "Favorite author?"

Hi Megan! I have several, some of my currents are: Julianna Stone, Kristen Callihan, and Lauren Layne. I've also been a big fan of Lauren Blakely and RS Grey. Let me know if you want recs for books by any of them!

JoAnne wrote: "If you had a time machine, where and what time period would you like to go visit and why?"

I'm a sucker for the Victorian era. Going back much further than that gets a little too primitive for me! Lol. I'd love to have seen Victorian London and I've read a lot of historicals set in that era.

Tanja wrote: "How long does it take you to write a book? Do you plot or are you a fly by the seat of your pants type of writer? Research?"

Gah! I'm such a pantser! Doing up synopses for publishers and my agent nearly kill me. I've learned to at least plan out what I'm going to write on any particular day, and I often have bare bones plot points in mind, but half the time once I start writing I forget what I was going to do anyway! I research as I go too, so that means I'm often online frantically trying to find someone who knows about some obscure thing like the cost of hookers in big east coast cities, or what Greek families eat for dinner after church. I've met some awesome people online that way though :)

**Edited to Add** I didn't answer how long it takes to write a book! I put out four books and one novella a year (generally), so it takes me slightly under three months to write a book from start to finish (edits, etc).

Sarah wrote: "If you could trade places for a week with any character from any book, who would it be and why?"

This is such a hard question. It would have to be either a character from a different time, one who had paranormal/super powers, or one who was super famous, because those are things I couldn't experience any other way. I might like to be Sookie Stackhouse or Clare Fraser. The Sookie Stackhouse Mysteries and the Outlander series made such enormous impressions on me. They were different than anything I'd read before then, and I devoured them. I also have to say that Erik Northman and Jamie Fraser are two of my all-time favorite heroes, so that doesn't hurt! ;)

You guys these are such great questions! I love them. Thanks for asking. Keep 'em coming!

Thanks again! My question is who is your biggest writing inspiration?

Can Indiana have the Mannings back now? ;) (not the Colts per se--just Indiana...we miss them ;)

Where do you get your inspiration for your stories?

Jessa wrote: "Thanks again! My question is who is your biggest writing inspiration?"

I have yet to meet a Lauren Layne or Kristen Callihan book I didn't love. I also really admire their careers. If I could be them when I grow up I'd be happy ;)

Jo wrote: "Can Indiana have the Mannings back now? ;) (not the Colts per se--just Indiana...we miss them ;)"

Bwahaha! Since I'd strongly urge Peyton to take the ring and call it a career, maybe he'll head back your way for retirement? If I see him wandering around Denver in the off-season I'll let him know you called. ;)

Susan wrote: "Where do you get your inspiration for your stories?"

All over the place! I've had stories come to me in dreams, I've had a story develop from a song, I've been inspired by TV shows and other books. Things come to me suddenly, and without a great deal of explanation! That's why it's really important for writers to "consume" inspiration. We tend to sit in our little caves and want to pound out words, but really, we need to get out in the world and expose ourselves to all that possible inspiration. The great thing about that is, when I'm binge watching SOA or reading my fourth book of the week I can claim it's for work! ;)

Hi Selena,
Do you have a fvorite character? One that stayed with you long after their book was over?

Selena wrote: "Sarah wrote: "If you could trade places for a week with any character from any book, who would it be and why?"

This is such a hard question. It would have to be either a character from a different..." Oh I love Sookie, but I do not know if I could handle knowing what everyone thought all the time.

What's the best thing being an author? :)

Sarah wrote: "Selena wrote: "Sarah wrote: "If you could trade places for a week with any character from any book, who would it be and why?"

This is such a hard question. It would have to be either a character f..."

Excellent point! Lol

Iris wrote: "Hi Selena,
Do you have a fvorite character? One that stayed with you long after their book was over?"

If you're talking about books I've written as opposed to those I've read, Joss Jamison in A Lush Betrayal is the character who has had the greatest impact on me. Joss is some sort of fictional soul mate of mine. I'm not sure what the deal is, but he and I are very close. I loved writing him.

In terms of characters I've read, Sebastian St. Cyr, who is the main character in a series of historical romantic mysteries is one I've continued to love and think about no matter how long it's been since I've read one of his books.

Audrey wrote: "What's the best thing being an author? :)"

Hi Audrey! Probably getting to spend my whole workday doing something I love. I've had a lot of jobs, and I never really loved any of them. I get now how people can be workaholics. When you're passionate about what you're doing it's easy to forget to do anything else!

How would you say you incorporate various forms of diversity (race, physical/mental abilities, sexual orientation, religion, background, education, age etc.) in your novels?

Mary-Sarah wrote: "How would you say you incorporate various forms of diversity (race, physical/mental abilities, sexual orientation, religion, background, education, age etc.) in your novels?"

Hi Mary-Sarah:
I write stories as they come to me -- and the characters as well. I've written wealthy characters, poor ones, Hispanic, Anglo, Asian (in my next book), Iranian, characters with mental illness, addictions, victims of domestic violence, etc, etc. I don't ever consciously say "I'm going to write these things in order to be diverse," it's simply how the ideas come to me. I think if you've been in a diverse world and had diverse experiences, then you'll write diverse stories! :)

Selena wrote: "Megan Lynn wrote: "Favorite author?"

Hi Megan! I have several, some of my currents are: Julianna Stone, Kristen Callihan, and Lauren Layne. I've also been a big fan of Lauren Blakely and RS Grey. ..."


Hi Selena! I never heard of them But sound like good selection of authors. yes i would love recs of them. I can recommend you some books too if you want.