LaVerne Clark

How long have you been a writer?

Like most writers, I’ve been penning stories for as long as I can remember. We’re a curious bunch, always asking the question – I wonder what would happen if…?

When I was a child, my father would take me and my brothers to church. This stopped abruptly one day after we spent the whole service making up amusing stories about some of the people around us, making each other crack up with laughter. My love of storytelling started about then.

How much time did it take from writing your first book to having it published?

My first (and only book to date) happened as a result of a submission call from The Wild Rose Press. By the time I heard about it, there was three months left to get the stories submitted. Luckily, it was to be novella-length, so I thought I’d give it a go. I thrived having a deadline to work towards. I finished and submitted the day before the deadline and then waited to hear. I actually hurt my ankle from jumping up and down in excitement when I got the lovely email to say they’d like to publish it : ) From acceptance to publication, it was a whirlwind five months as my story had also been randomly selected by all the stories accepted to open the new line.

Where are you from?

I’m a New Zealander and live in a town at the top of the South Island called Nelson. Nelson is the sunshine capital of the country – and even though it’s the middle of winter here, today is a brilliant blue-sky day. We’ve just come back from taking the dog to the beach for a run with most people sporting tee-shirts! I never get tired of the climate here.

Describe to us your typical day

I have two young children, one is ten and the other is three, so I’m a SAHM (stay-at-home-mum). After the frantic morning getting my son ready and on his way, I’ll potter around and tidy up, do some baking, play with my daughter and walk the dog. Apart from the occasional outing, my routine will be the same. When the children are in bed for the night, hubby and I enjoy a bit of precious time together before I head off to my current WIP.

What song would best describe your life?

Without a shadow of a doubt – it would have to be “Crazy” by Seal. I love this song. And I think it’s true. Some days to survive, you have to get a little crazy. We’re too serious for our own good at times.

Who’s more fun, bad boys or perfect gentlemen and why?

Ooo – good question! I was going to say bad boys, but then I thought about the perfect gentleman, and how misleading their behavior can be. What’s more fun than trying to ruffle the perfectly groomed hero’s manners – and being there when they snap – yeeha! : )

If you were a superhero, what special power would you have?

I had to answer this one since I’ve almost finished my own superhero story.

You can’t go past the ability to fly though can you? I don’t know about you, but when I have those dreams where I’m flying, I wake up so disappointed to find I actually can’t. It would be so freeing, not to mention fun and so convenient!

What’s number one on your list of things you hope to do before you die?

I want to travel through the Bermuda Triangle. I’ll wait until I’m in my late-eighties though just in case! I’ve been consumed by what happened to the people missing since hearing about it as a little girl. Maybe it’s a portal to another world? I reckon there is only one way to find out.

*Please share with us your future projects and upcoming releases.

Once again, I’m writing to a deadline for a submission call about superheroes, this time from Samhain Publishing. I’m closing in on the editing stage and should have it submitted within a week of writing this. I absolutely ADORE this story and really hope they love it too.

Here is a rough blurb for Affinity:

Jenna Thomas is a loner. Labeled a freak when she was younger because of her ability to ‘call’ creatures and take on their attributes, she keeps to herself as an adult, not letting anyone close. But that all changes the day she saves a young boy from drowning in extraordinary circumstances, and the story goes viral.

Nick Hawke, an off-duty policeman catches the end of the drama and investigates the incident, not sure what to believe. His cynicism and growing attraction to Jenna is put to the test when word of her abilities gets out, thrusting her into the limelight. His protective instincts kick in when she is targeted by some very dangerous people who’ll stop at nothing to get her under their control.

Blog: Novel Natterings

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