MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR GIULIA LAGOMARSINO
What’s your name and what genre would you consider your books to be?
Giulia Lagomarsino. I write romance books.
Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that (story, angle, idea)?
I am currently writing a series of security romance books. Each storyline feeds off another. The book I am currently working on is the third book in a three book arc within that series. Thatʼs not at all confusing, right? Basically, all the characters have a book of their own, but their stories continue in other books. Iʼm not really sure how I came up with the story. Usually when Iʼm writing a book, a word or a scenario will pop in my head and I think, ‘that could be a really good storyline for…”. I write down notes and figure out which character I want that storyline for. Sometimes Iʼm typing and I add in a secondary character that means nothing. Thereʼs some banter and then all the sudden, that character is now going to be in the starring role of the next book. I usually let the writing flow as I type. I donʼt really plan anything out ahead of time unless itʼs a mystery or there are a lot of important details to remember.
How did you get interested in writing this particular genre (historical novels, mysteries, sci-fi, children’s books, etc.)?
I love reading romance novels. When I had my oldest child six years ago, my husband was working out of town a lot. I found myself getting bored, so that started my fascination with romance books. After my twins were born, I started to think about what I wanted to do when they went off to school. I came up with the crazy idea that I could earn money in the meantime by donating plasma. My husband immediately told me no, and told me to write a blog or a book. I really set out to prove to him that I could do it with my first book, but then I realized how much I loved to do it and it blossomed from there.
What kind of research did you do for this book?
Iʼm always looking up different ways to kill someone or how to get rid of a body. And then there are the medical procedures and different laws for different states. Iʼm pretty sure that if the government ever decided to confiscate my computer, they would immediately lock me up based on my search engine. I also go to my husband for a lot of information. He was in the military in Slovakia and helps me with creative ways to kill or torture someone. His father is a chemistry professor, so he grew up around science, so that also comes in handy when Iʼm writing something about dissolving a body or something like that. My mom asked me once if she should be scared that my husband knew so much about this stuff. I just laughed. Couples that kill together stay together!
Can you tell me about your Series?
Reed Security is based on men that work for Reed Security, but the security part is usually the background story. I like to base my characters off of real people, so what the men go through in their personal lives usually reflects what normal people feel or do. I want the characters to be relatable. I want someone to say, “Oh my gosh, Iʼve done that too!” or “Yep, my husband does that all the time.” I have many different story lines and the genres vary. One book is inspired by a friend of mine that had cancer. That book is about the wifeʼs battle with cancer and is pretty much the center of the story. I included a lot of details of what actual cancer patients go through and how they feel. I wanted people to know what it felt like from a survivorʼs perspective. Itʼs a very emotional book, more of a contemporary romance. On the other hand, I have another book that is about one of the men falling for a woman with kids. Heʼs doing everything wrong and it brings out some hilarious scenes that have actually happened to me or someone I know. That book is definitely a romantic comedy. I like to keep things mixed up in the series, never allowing the stories to become repetitive. If I just wrote a comedy, the next one might be a drama or a mystery. It also helps to keep me from getting bored. I think the most important part of the series though is the men. They are such a close group and the way they banter is really what people love most. They are just regular guys that bitch about their wives or go to each other for help when theyʼve screwed up. The ideas on how to fix the problem is usually the funniest part. So, even though they do some of the stupidest stuff that our own husbands do, they still have that alpha protective quality that really completes a romance book.
Do you have a favorite book out of this series?
Irish. That book is my absolute favorite, hands down. The opening scene of that book turned out just perfect. Itʼs a romantic comedy about a woman that sees a man and thinks heʼs an actual superhero based on strange things that keep happening. She works in a library and has an overactive imagination. it was one of my hardest books to write because I didnʼt want the heroine to come off as an idiot. But it turned out better than I ever expected.
Where did you get the inspiration/idea for your series?
Everyday life. Sometimes I have dreams and something in that dream triggers something. I am always daydreaming, so things just pop in my head and I go with it.
Was it always meant to become a series?
Yes. Reed Security is a spin-off from my first series For The Love Of A Good Woman.
What’s a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?
I have my twins home with me and my oldest daughter is in Kindergarten. They are all early risers, so I am usually up by five. I start writing or check my accounts, I get the kids ready and fed. When Iʼve dropped my daughter off, I go home and write for whatever time I can in-between the kids fighting or running around like wild animals. I sometimes listen to Andrea Bocelli with my earbuds in to block out the noise. It calms me and helps me to write. I love to write on my chaise, but then I get distracted and a little too comfortable. The kitchen table is ideal, but not the most comfortable. If itʼs warm outside, I like to sit outside and write. I usually write all throughout the day. If I need a break, I take one. My goal is always 3,000 words a day, unless Iʼm behind because I didnʼt stick to that goal.
Do you have a new book in the making and if so, whatʼs the name of your upcoming book?
My current book that is about to be released is Jackson. Itʼs the second book in the arc. The one I am writing is Chance. Itʼs the final book in the arc, but not the final book in the series. That will be book 15 in the series with at least four more books to go.
How important are character names to you in your books? Is there a special meaning to any of the names?
I donʼt like really crazy names in my books. I try to stick with strong names for the men and any potential children.
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
The hardest part is when Iʼm trying to write and I canʼt concentrate because of all the kids. Itʼs so frustrating when I canʼt get my work done. And then there are the times that I just canʼt focus enough to write and I end up staring at my computer, hoping that Iʼll come up with just one line that will start a whole string of conversation. After a few hours, I put the computer down.
What do you think of book trailers? Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book?
I love creating book trailers. I do it mostly for fun, but I donʼt do them quite like other ones Iʼve seen. They arenʼt like movie trailers because I donʼt want to pay for that footage. I find pictures on Shutterstock and create the trailer in iMovie.
What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?
Finishing my first book. It was a life changer for me. All my life, the only thing I ever wanted to do was get married and have kids. I didnʼt have a direction other than that.
After my kids were born, I knew that I wouldnʼt be able to just sit around all day crocheting, even though I absolutely love to. My fingers need a break, so I use them on the computer instead. When I completed my first book, I was so surprised that my sister really liked it, and sheʼs a teacher and a reader that I would definitely want to impress. After that book, I thought that I could really do this, and not just for fun. I felt like I finally had a goal and something that was just for me. As a parent, I think we all get lost in the identity of only being mommy, but this gave me so much more.
Whatʼs the best thing about being an author?
Working from home. I donʼt think I could ever go work for someone else again. I hate drama at the workplace and itʼs too stressful. This keeps me relaxed and truly enjoying life.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Hopefully still writing. I would love to have my dream house with a special writing area and reading nook.
Have you always liked to write?
I hated it! I remember writing a paper for college and I asked my mom to proofread it (sheʼs also a teacher). She marked up the page so much that it was basically a total rewrite. So, it really surprised me that I liked writing so much.
What writing advice do you have for aspiring authors?
I think Iʼm still too new to give advice. Iʼve been writing for just two years. I guess the best advice I could give is to listen to all the reviews and learn to accept the bad ones. Not everyone will like what you write and some will be really nasty about it. Take it with a grain of salt, but listen to the reviewers that write down specifics of what they didnʼt like. Sometimes, those are the best reviews to help you improve.
If you didnʼt like writing books, or werenʼt any good at it, what would you like to do for a living?
Crochet!
Do you read reviews of your book(s)? Do you respond to them, good or bad? How do you deal with the bad?
I only respond to a few bad reviews. Like, the really dumb ones. ‘I didnʼt know this was part of a series and I started in the middle.ʼ I usually respond by telling them that the first thing the description says is that itʼs part of a series. I try to stay away from writing back though. I do love it when someone contacts me after writing a review and tells me what they loved. Thereʼs nothing more thrilling than going through your book with a fan and laughing about all the different scenes.
What is your least favourite part of the writing / publishing process?
I hate doing the last read-through. I feel like Iʼve read the book so many times that I just canʼt do it one more time.
Can you give us a few tasty morsels from your work-in-progress?
Here is an excerpt from Jackson:
She groaned next to me and I was immediately on my knees, bent over her to see if she was okay. “Does it hurt anywhere?” “Yes.” “Where?” I asked urgently. “My arms and my legs. My stomach hurts a little too. I think I might have whiplash, and I also might have peed a little.” “Raegan,” I said irritatedly, “are you injured or just sore?” “Is there a difference?” “Well, one means you get up and move on and the other means I leave your ass behind.” She sat up with a groan and glared at me. “Chivalry really is dead. I should have listened to my mom.” “Hey, I fake killed you. Don’t tell me that wasn’t chivalrous.” “You’re right. What ever was I thinking?” she said in a mocking tone. I hauled her up to her feet and threw her over my shoulder. She squealed and smacked me on the back. “What are you doing?” she screeched. “Would you shut that fat trap of yours? I’d like to get out of here alive.” “Just for the record, calling a woman fat in any way, even if it’s about her mouth, is just not cool.” I started stomping downstream, hoping that I could get far enough that they would lose our trail. “You know, this really isn’t the most comfortable way to travel.” “File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.” “Why are you so mean to me? You know, when I first met you, you were actually nice to me.” “You hadn’t opened your mouth yet,” I muttered. “Are you implying I’m annoying?” “No, I was flat out saying in a nice way that when your mouth is shut, you don’t annoy me nearly as much.”
Where did your love of books come from?
Iʼm not really sure. I think one day I started reading The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and I just couldnʼt stop. I had to find something else to sink my teeth into.
Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?
Pride and Prejudice. I try to read it once a year, but that hasnʼt happened recently. I also love Harry Potter and love to reread that.
Of all the characters you have created, which is your favourite and why?
My favorite female character is Claire from Irish. She says everything wrong and has verbal diarrhea. I also love her imagination. I think it would be great to live in her shoes. My favorite male character is Garrick Knight from Knight. Heʼs very dark and stalkerish. My sister described him as creepy and disturbing the first time she read it. The second time she read it, she thought he was hot.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
Definitely original. I would say that I am the last person to go to if you want a cookie cutter book. I kill off characters, I have cliffhangers when you donʼt expect them, I donʼt give warnings about triggers. I want you to read my book and enjoy it for what it is. I feel like people are too demanding with what they want in a book and weʼve lost the ability to appreciate a book for the way the author wrote it.
What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
Honestly, I have one author friend, Chelle Pimblott. We met through my book group and she mentioned that she was a writer. We both had trouble connecting with other authors and it just kind of blossomed from there. We help each other with advertising and different programs. Weʼre always trading advice. Itʼs really great.
If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?
You cracked the plastic!
I really donʼt know. I grew up in a house where every conversation led to a song. In my early twenties, I worked with a woman that became my best friend. We always sang oldies as we worked and it always kept us happy. She used to tell me that my impersonation of Frankie Valli could shatter the plastic on the greenhouse.
Where can your fans find you and follow??
Iʼm on Facebook https://facebook.com/crazybookladylover/
and my website has all my books and the first chapter of every book, along with the book trailer.
https://sites.google.com/view/giulianalagomarsino/home
I donʼt use Instagram or Twitter because Iʼm really bad with them.
Thank you for taking your time to do this interview ❤
My Books-My World 