Laetania Richardson is taking the romance novel industry by storm. In her latest steamy novel, "Love Saw It," she explores a thrilling love story with a touch of 90s vibes. W4TC was granted the opportunity to sit down with her and learn more about her journey of becoming an author. Read on as she drops life-changing gems.
Question: At what point do you think someone should call themselves a writer?
Answer: The point in which a person decides to put pen to paper and write their thoughts and ideas down.
Question:What difference do you see between a writer and an author?
Answer: I believe the two are interchangeable. Being an author simply means your work has been published; be it a book, article, or report.
Question: Have you ever considered writing under a pseudonym, and why or why not?
Answer: I’ve never considered writing under a fictitious name. I want to be given full credit and recognized for my achievements in the name in which I was given at birth.
Question: Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones? Answer: I read all of my book reviews. Whether good or bad, I use it as an opportunity to grow. You have to know that everyone will NOT like your work.
Question: How do you select the names of your characters?
Answer: Most of the first names of the characters in “Love Saw It” are people that I’ve met throughout my life.
Question: Are there therapeutic benefits to modeling a character after someone you know?
Answer: It is very therapeutic to model characters after people that I know. I am able to take parts of their personalities and use it to create a more defined and complete character.
Question: What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Answer: Being disciplined to devote time to write even when I don’t have anything to say.
Question: How long have you been writing or when did you start?
Answer: I began writing about ten years ago. I started off writing poetry.
Question: What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?
Answer: Block out the negative talk whether it’s from yourself or others. Write because you have a story to tell and not for validation of your gifts.
Question: What, to you, are the most important elements of good writing?
Answer: Complete and developed characters. Characters that people love, hate and admire.
Question: What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?
Answer: The plot comes to me first. I need to know what I want the audience to walk away with. The overall message of the story.
Question: How do you develop your plot and characters?
Answer: I believe both plot and character should invoke the senses of hearing, smell, taste, touch and sight. They both should be as detailed as possible to draw the audience in.
Question: When did you first call yourself a writer?
Answer: At the point that I had a completed manuscript.
Question: How do you use social media as an author?
Answer: I post almost every day about my book on all of my social media platforms.
Question: What’s your favorite and least favorite part of publishing?
Answer: The satisfaction of seeing my work listed on several retail websites.
Question: What would you say to an author who wanted to design their own cover. Answer: Don’t. Leave it up to the professionals. The cost is minimal.
Question: What inspired you to write "Love Saw It?"
Answer: I’ve always loved a good love story.
Question: Please tell me about the book.
Answer: The book is set during the late 90s. The book takes reader on a LOVE journey filled with unexpected twists and turns, surprise heartbreak, and challenges your moral code.
Question: What did you learn when writing this book?
Answer: I learned to not start over while writing. Complete the work then make corrections.
Question: What surprised you the most about yourself?
Answer: I never thought that I would be adding “author" to my list of accolades.
Question: Is there any meaning behind the title?
Answer: The title “Love Saw It” is from Babyface and Karyn White's hit song “Love Saw It.” The song has special meaning for the lead characters in the book.
Question: Lastly, how do we find you and your book... Social media handles, websites etc.?
Answer: You can find the book on Amazon, Walmart and Barnes and Noble. Autographed copies can be purchased on my website at: heyladybytania.com. All social media platforms are @heyladybytania.
Make sure you check out Laetainia's novel and show her some love!
Comments