Since the age of eight, L. R. W. Lee knew she wanted to
write a book. Fortunately or unfortunately, she required of herself that she
have something significant to say; she sought to contribute to others in a way that
could change their lives. Because a degree in Accounting at Cedarville
University, as well as work in public and corporate accounting, did not provide
riveting fodder for a best seller, she waited. Upon selling her business in
early 2012, she had time to write and, more importantly, something significant
to share.
L. R. W. Lee’s favorite musical is The Sound of Music. She hates scary movies, but loves piano and strings music, sunsets in Hawaii and a good cup of decaf, French press coffee (yes, decaf!). She also loves Ansel Adams prints and all manner of kinetic art.
VS: I want to thank you for being my guest here on The Writing
Mama today. What do you do to help balance your writing life with your family
life?
Lee: My situation is probably different than many. After 12 years founding and growing a
company, I successfully sold it. I now
have time, for the first time in my life, to write. Because of this, I have time to write all day
while the rest of the family is otherwise occupied. Once everyone reconvenes at home, I’m focused
on other things, although my brain still invents new narratives.
VS: How long have you been writing?
Lee: A little over a year as a declared author, but many years all
together.
VS: What inspired you to write your book?
Lee: I founded and grew a business for 12 years beginning in
2000 and successfully sold it in January 2012.
In 2005, I chose to bring on a partner/mentor to continue to grow
it. He taught me not only business
narratives, but also shared his personal philosophies. He is Korean and therefore has many
philosophies that you might call Eastern-based that are refreshingly different
from Western-based philosophies I was raised with. Many of these, including overcoming
frustration, impatience and fear among others, significantly changed how I
think and act. It is these life
principles that I seek to share through my books. I hope to help others better enjoy their
journey through life. I am passionate
about helping others embody new ways of approaching these and similar
situations. As a result, I have included
on my website discussion questions for parents to work through with their kids.
VS: What is a typical writing day like for you?
Lee: I usually start with an hour of exercise. This gets my creative juices flowing because
I think about what I plan to write about that day, organizing my thoughts. After that, I get a cup of decaf coffee (creates
a good mood for me) and I sit down at my computer and begin committing to
structured sentences what I have thought through.
VS: Is your family supportive of your writing?
Lee: In general, yes.
But I’m clear everyone has many other things to do in a day as well. When I can convince my husband to sit down
and let me read what I’ve written (he won’t read it himself) I get good
feedback. Same with my son.
VS: Can you share with us a little about your current book(s)?
Lee: Ten-year-old Andy Smithson is magically brought to the
Land of Oomaldee while he is doing dishes one night. Unbeknownst to him, he is there to break a
500 year old curse. Andy learns that his
quest is the Dragon’s Lair to find an ingredient critical to breaking the curse
- the scale from an elusive red dragon, the fiercest of all dragon species. Andy
nearly destroys the castle amidst adventures battling fire-breathing dragons,
fighting vicious vulture attacks, escaping people-eating giants and more. I had a lot of fun interjecting humor
throughout the book in the form of fart jokes that appeal to middle graders,
but also more advanced word play for adult readers. One example, when Andy is faced with crossing
a raging river, he speaks of overcoming the “current” problem. I love doing word plays like this. You’ll find these throughout the book,
particularly in the prologue.
VS: What did you find to be the most challenging part of
writing your book(s)?
Lee: Creating the world of Oomaldee as well as inventing the
story arc for not only the first book but for the series all before writing the
first word. A lot of thought went into
designing the entire narrative so I know where I’m headed and can get there in
the end.
VS: What part of your book do you feel really stands out to you
personally?
Lee: I think the part where Andy overcomes his fear of what
might lie ahead and commits to doing all he can to save the Land from the curse
and the evil that is coming, out of his love for the people. This is at the end of chapter 10. I’d say this is a defining moment for Andy
and the book.
VS: If this is a work of fiction, what character is most like
you?
Lee: I have to say either the King because he has learned much
about himself and changed significantly as a result or Marta because she’s a
mom. She supports the efforts of those
around her and encourages them.
VS: Do you have any other works in progress? Can you share a
little about them?
Lee: Yes. The second book in the series, Venom of the Serpent’s
Cunning. This book picks up after Andy
has been back home for 10 months. It’s
situated in the Sea of Mystery on Sometimes Island. The danger and peril quotient increase as
Andy seeks another clue to break the curse.
Relationships also deepen.
VS: What tips can you give writing parents with children at
home to help them see publication?
Lee: Writing is all about diligence as well as your commitment
to the message you are passionate to tell others. If you aren’t passionate about telling your
story, no one else will be.
VS: What do you think are the basic ingredients of a good book?
Lee: A good hook followed by suspense and continual rising
action with unexpected twists and turns mixed in. These keep me turning the pages.
VS: What is required for a character to be believable? How do
you create yours?
Lee: My main character, Andy, is based on my son and what he
has done (or you might say what he has put his parents through as he’s grown
up!). I think having a person in mind
for a character helps build believability.
VS: What do you feel as parents we need to do to help our
children see success?
Lee: Be encouraging, but also share with them honest narratives
of what the world is really like.
VS: Where can the readers of The Writing Mama find out more
about and your writing?
Lee: They can go to my website at http://www.lrwlee.com
VS: Is there anything else you would like to share with us
about being a “Writing Mama or Dad”?
Lee: Both the eBook as well as the paperback are available at
Amazon.com or you can get the paperback and other gear, like T-shirts, at my
website at www.lrwlee.com. While you’re there, be sure to check out the
Read, Review, Refer reward program where you can get a free copy of the next
book.
Authors love to hear what you think of their work. It’s a vulnerable business inventing
something and then putting it out there for the world to critique. Please tell me what you think by posting a
review at Amazon.com, even if you don’t buy the book there.
Also, I’ve started the second book in the series, Andy
Smithson: Venom of the Serpent’s Cunning that I hope to have out winter 2013.
A middle grade (5th
& 6th grade) fantasy adventure that entertains while teaching uncommon life
changing narratives.
Publisher: Createspace
ISBN: 978-1482312645
ISBN -10: 1482312646
Available in eBook and Print
Publication Date: April 2013
You can find out more about L.R.W. Lee, her middle grade
fantasy adventure series and her World of Ink Author/Book Tour at http://tinyurl.com/bnfe6ax
Website: http://www.lrwlee.com
Twitter: @LRWLee
Facebook: http://facebook.com/LRWLee
Places where available: Amazon.com
To learn more about the World of Ink Tours visit http://worldofinknetwork.com