Sunday, June 24, 2012

What does a writer do when not writing?


http://www.laurirobinson.blogspot.com/
I always cringe when asked that question. I believe, for the most part, a writer is always writing. We may not be putting words on paper, but other than when we’re sleeping (and even then dreams are often writing related) a writer is always doing something that has to do with writing. Plotting while driving, building characters while waiting in line and ‘people watching’, taking vacations that include research, attending conference, workshops, and groups, etc. etc.

So, what do I do when I’m not sitting at the computer?


Spending time with my family. That is number one for us. We have three granddaughters, two step-grandsons and three granddogs and lots of family activities. I am one of eight children and my husband is one of four so rarely does a weekend go by when we aren’t gathering at or hosting a family event. 

We have property in the northern part of the state, about six hours from our home, and especially during the summer months, we travel up there as often as possible. 

Our home is five miles from town, and though we don’t have any animals to tend, (other than an inherited little dog) we do have fruit trees, raspberry and strawberry patches, and a garden. (The granddaughters have grown to expect us to keep them well supplied with jams and jellies all winter.)

 Hubby and I are both NASCAR fans. I also enjoy cooking, baking, sewing, crocheting, knitting, wood crafts, reading, flower gardening, and pistol shooting. Oh, and hubby owns an auto repair business he runs out of our home, and I work full time for a senior companion company.  

Therefore, when I’m not writing, I could be doing any number of things, but there’s always a story flowing in the back of my mind.


Books released in 2012:

January 1: Disobeying the Marshal (Harlequin, Mills & Boon)

February 1: Testing the Lawman’s Honor (Harlequin, Mills & Boon)

May 1: The Sheriff’s Last Gamble (Harlequin, Mills & Boon)

May 23: Sing to Me, Cowboy (The Wild Rose Press)

August 29: Sheriff McBride (this had been part of an anthology and is being re-released as a single title (The Wild Rose Press))

September 1: What a Cowboy Wants (Harlequin, Mills & Boon)

September 18: His Christmas Wish (All A Cowboy Wants for Christmas Anthology (Harlequin, Mills & Boon))

October 16: Unclaimed Bride (Harlequin, Mills & Boon)

Release date yet to be determined: A Soldier for Christmas (this had been part of an anthology and is being re-released as a single title (The Wild Rose Press))

The other question I’m always asked is which book is my favorite. They each trigger special memories and hold special places in my heart for various reasons. If I had to choose from the stories released this year, The Sheriff’s Last Gamble is the one that flew onto the page. I couldn’t type fast enough to get that story out, and Sing to Me, Cowboy was so fun because it’s part of the Honky Tonk Hearts Series. See, even in that I can’t choose just one. And of course, the one I’m writing right now is my favorite at the moment. ;)

5 comments:

  1. Great post, Lauri, and I really enjoyed learming more about you. You didn' mention the state you live in, but the lake shot looks gorgeous. What fun to have grandchildren! Hero and I also live on a small acreage five miles from town. We have an orchard and blackberries and grapes, but no garden.

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  2. Thanks, Caroline. I live in central Minnesota, an hour outside of Minneapolis/St. Paul, and our property is on the Canadian border. Grandchildren are the most wonderful thing ever!

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  3. Fun learning more about you, Lauri! What a great list of books you have coming out and all great stories.

    I agree with the always writing even when we're not in front of a computer.

    Have fun with those grandkids. I'll be watching a couple for a week in July.

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  4. Hi Lauri, you are so right about writers always searching for ideas. I like the fact that I am never lonely. One of the characters in my head is usually talking about something. I've always been a people watcher and trying to figure out how a couple meets and how they fall in love. Life is never dull at any rate.

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  5. I love your pix on Facebook, Lauri, all the kids and all the action. Looks like a lovely life, that's for sure. And congrats on all the books. Will you be at RWA in Anaheim?

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