It's Finally Friday! (3): Intervew with Laura Howard

Hello beautiful people of the world! 

As you know Friday and the weekend is among us, and to celebrate, today we have Laura Howard of The Forgotten Ones to come and discuss herself and her book. Laura is just fantastic, and I love talking to her, so it was really great that I got the chance to interview her. Also make sure to continue reading and check out The Forgotten Ones, it's definitely a novel you will want to read! Also, if you are an author who is interested in being featured please send me an email or a tweet; I would love to have you particaipate! And on that note...THE INTERVIEW! >:D

Ishita: What is your favorite book of all time?

Laura: This is so hard, because I don't have one particular favorite, but rather many favorites from different times in my life. I will answer simply by saying Twilight, because that book changed me in a way I can't put into words.

Ishita: What was your inspiration to write your book?

Laura: My best friend growing up was the type of girl that boys flocked to. She didn't even seem to notice, but she was just magnetic. I've spent a lot of time wondering why some people just have that certain something that attracts massive amounts of people to them and others just don't. A fun twist on it could be that there is fairy blood flowing in their veins.

Ishita: What is one book you wish, you had written?

Laura: I wish I could write a book like Twilight that affected people on such a basic level. Even if it was just a fraction of the people, but to write something that really changes somebody would be magical.

Ishita: Why did you start writing books for young adults? And why this genre?

Laura: I think it's because I really like reading YA. The feelings are so strong, and the writing isn't quite as complex. I think clear, concise writing has a lot of impact.

Ishita: What makes your book so different from all the books out there?

Laura: Well, I hope it's not too much like anything else. It's been compared a lot to the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. But I tried to use older Irish mythology to set it apart. Instead of using the Seelie and Unseelie Courts or Shakespearean themes, I dove into the gods and goddesses of pre-Christian Ireland.

Ishita: Are you currently working on anything new? If so can we get a clue on what it is ;D?

Laura: Yes. I am writing a contemporary romance that is suited for New Adult, it's quite a bit steamier than The Forgotten Ones. I also have two more books in The Danaan Trilogy to write. I've written some very rough drafts of a couple short stories in the Danaan universe as well.

Ishita: Who was your favorite character in the whole story? And why?

Laura: I really liked developing Aodhan (Aidan). He has a dark past and a lot of anger in his heart, yet he is a loyal protector and friend to Allison in her journey.

Ishita: Any tips or tricks for aspiring writers?

Laura: First, don't stop writing. It's way too easy to get caught up in all the platform and marketing spiral. But in the long run it's the writing that makes or breaks an author.

Ishita: What is your writing atmosphere like?

Laura: I typically write in my bedroom in silence. I like to take a little time to get in the right place before I start working on the actual manuscript, so freewriting has become very important to me.

Speed Round Questions

Ishita: Favorite food ?

Laura: Chocolate

Ishita: If you were stranded on an island what 5 things would you take?

Laura: My four kids and my husband.

Ishita: Turtle or Fish?

Laura: Fish.

Ishita: that makes me very happy x) ^

Ishita: Reading or Writing ?

Laura: Reading.

Ishita: Print Books or E-books?

Laura : E-books.

Ishita: Favorite Book Store?

Laura: Toadstool Bookshop in New Hampshire

Ishita: Favorite City in the world?

Laura: Boston.

Thank you so much Laura for joining us in this interview

About Laura

Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.

About The Forgotten Ones

Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.
What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.