Interview with Author Laura L. Zimmerman

The next book to be released from L2L2 Publishing is Keen, a stirring banshee story from Author Laura L. Zimmerman that has completely captivated us.

To help you get to know our newest author, our very own Jebraun Clifford, editorial assistant, recently interviewed Zimmerman.

We hope you will love getting to know her as much as we have.

Enjoy!

Jebraun Clifford: “Let’s start with a little bit of background. What sparked your interest in writing?”

Laura L. Zimmerman: “I’ve always enjoyed creating stories, even from a young age! (My dad is a natural storyteller, so he says I got my abilities from him. I shall allow him continue to believe that. *wink*) I never aspired to become a writer, but I did have grand ideas of being a visual artist, actress, and musician. Somehow, writing just remained a hobby for me. A story would hit me and I would squirrel away for days/weeks/months to get it out of my head. It wasn’t until 2013 that my husband planted the idea in my head that I should actually publish something that I wrote.”

Jebraun Clifford: “Have you kept any old drafts of stories?”

Laura L. Zimmerman: “I do have old drafts of some of my writing, and it’s hilarious to go back and re-read them! My earliest is from when I was seven years old. I wrote a story called “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes” and used my Fashion Plates for the artwork. (Yes, I’m serious about this!) I also have vivid memories of trying to write the scariest stories possible and begging my sixth grade teacher to allow me to read them out loud, just so I could see the reaction of my classmates. (There was one where a hand came out of a toilet. Oh yes, there was.) I’ve got a few other partial manuscripts from middle and high school, but the majority of what I have is after I got married, when I actually took the time to complete my novels before moving on. (I guess I just didn’t have the patience when I was younger?)”

Jebraun Clifford: “Scary stories are great. I’d love to know where the idea for your banshee tale, Keen came from. Because banshees can be pretty terrifying!”

Laura L. Zimmerman: “Singing has always been a big part of my life. It was one reason I wanted to become a Broadway actress (*cough, cough* A girl can dream, right?) and eventually went on to major in music in college. About eighteen months ago, my teenager asked me to join her in watching the CW show Teen Wolf. I was immediately drawn to one character that was a banshee and got curious about banshee lore. From that mythology—and mixing that with my love of singing—a story spiraled inside my head. I never intended it to become what it did, but it just sort of flowed out. (Which I’m quite grateful for!)”

Jebraun Clifford: “I love the combining of different elements that launched this story. How did you end up being a part of the L2L2 family?”

Laura L. Zimmerman: “I attended my first Realm Makers Conference in 2017. I had a couple different manuscripts I wanted to pitch to publishers and was downright terrified at the prospect of doing so! A friend of mine knew Michele and you and told me I should definitely pitch to you because you were both so sweet. I met many different publishers at that conference, but I will say, my pitch to L2L2 was by far my favorite. My friend was right! You and Michele helped me to relax and made the whole experience wonderful. Although neither of those stories were right for L2L2, I came back to Realm Makers the next year with Keenin hand. Working with L2L2 was high on my “wish list” of publishers, so I was thrilled to get to submit my work to Michele again!”

Jebraun Clifford: “I really enjoyed hearing your pitches that year, and I’m so glad you’ve found a home with us. Tell us about your love affair with coffee. ;-)”

Laura L. Zimmerman: “Well, it began in a café in Paris twenty years ago… Just kidding! I wishit had. Wouldn’t that be the most romantic story? In truth, I hated coffee until college. (Yes, this is the proverbial “I needed coffee to survive exams in college” story.) One night, a friend dragged me to an Open Mic night at a local coffee shop. I asked her what coffee beverage I could order that would taste the leastlike coffee. (Because EW!) She hooked me up with an ah-ma-zing cappuccino, and I haven’t looked back since! I now actually enjoy drinking it black(scandalous!) and couldn’t help but to allow my obsession spillover into my blog, Caffeinated Fiction. (See what I did there?) The perfect Christmas or birthday present for me will always be anything coffee related, even if it’s something as simple as chocolate-covered coffee beans. (Yum!)”

Jebraun Clifford: “Chocolate-covered coffee beans are amazing. I imagine they help fuel your writing?”

Laura L. Zimmerman: “If I’m super focused, I usually skip any eating or drinking while writing. But if I think about it before I sit down, I do prefer to have a coffee (safely off to the side, so it won’t spill on my laptop!) and maybe a light snack. (Cashews and cheese are my go-to yumminess for brain power!) But I have been known to skip major meals if I’m in the writing mood. Not recommended, but when inspiration hits, you’ve gotta grab it, right?”

Jebraun Clifford: “Absolutely! Since you’re a busy woman, you’re married and have a family, what’s your strategy when it’s time to write? Do you have a particular routine to help you get in the groove or a favorite place to retreat?”

Laura L. Zimmerman: “I like to look at my writing as a seasonal affair. My writing life has looked many different ways throughout the years and the one thing I’ve learned is to allow it to change with whatever season of life I happen to be in. (Otherwise, I just get sad.)

“There have been times when I woke at the crack of dawn and got a full two hours of writing in before my kids woke. This is notthat season, but I don’t see that as a bad thing. Right now I homeschool my three daughters, with one in high school, one in middle, and one in elementary. That takes up a good portion of my day. However, we’ve struck a balance where they understand that I need to spend one to two hours per day locked in my room without interruption. I can usually find one of them to tag along to a coffee shop with me, too, which I try to do at least once a week. (The smell of coffee helps me to focus!) And my teens are happy to help me with some of my writerly things, like taking #bookstagram pictures or giving me ideas for flash fiction stories for my blog. It’s nice to involve them in what I do.”

Jebraun Clifford: “This is great! A family collaboration of sorts. Now for something completely serious: If you could be any magical creature, what would it be?”

Laura L. Zimmerman: “As much as I would love to say faerie—since my main character in Keen is half-fae—I must stay true to my heart and say mermaid! I’ve been a little obsessed with them since tenth grade, when I first saw Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Of course I loved the singing, so I hadto memorize every song and “be” Ariel, right? My love for mermaids carried me right through high school and college. And yes, I’ve even written a series of books about mermaids. (Of course!) I love any and all mermaid mythology and made sure my youngest daughters got proper mermaid tails to wear in the bathtub. (How much fun is that?) I would love to go swimming with “mermaids” someday, at a vacation spot that offers that, and maybe try on a tail myself? #bucketlist”

Jebraun Clifford: “Mermaids would be an awesome fantasy creature to turn into. What about your preference for a magical creature as a pet?”

Laura L. Zimmerman: “As for a pet, I’ve gotta say dragon! (A sweet, adorable one, like Toothless!) I mean, how amazing would it be to have a pet that you could ride. In the air! And could breathe fire. Cause that’s just cool.”

Jebraun Clifford: “A dragon would be a handy pet, especially as a watch, erm, dog, or if you were having difficulty lighting your BBQ. Well, thanks so much for chatting, Laura! And we’re all very excited for your debut, Keen, later this year.”

And thank you, Jebraun, for interviewing our lovely new author!

We hope our readers will adore the latest book from L2L2 Publishing.

Happy reading!

~The L2L2 Publishing Team