Author Interview: Lori Brighton & Giveaway!

Lori Brighton
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Lori's Books
The Mind Readers [Buy]
The Ghost Hunter [Buy]
Wild Heart [Buy]
Wild Desire [Pre-Order]

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Well, I went to college for Anthropology and ended up becoming a natural science curator at a Children’s Museum. I’m a bit of a treasure hunter; I love collecting shells and fossils. I also love history and reading. And I’m addicted to watching T.V.!


What made you become a writer?

I’ve always had a huge imagination and constantly made up stories, but never wrote them down. Then I had to quit my job at the museum because we were moving. Once we moved, at home with not much to do, I decided to try and write one of those stories I’d had rolling around in my head. Seven years later, I was finally published; an adult romance.


What is your writing schedule like? Do you put a lot of time into research for your novels?

I write all the time! Although I find I write best at night; I’m a night owl. Writing isn’t a job for me. I think that’s the difference between writing and most jobs; whereas most people complain about their jobs, I actually want to work!

As for research, it depends on the book. When I write historicals, there’s definitely a lot of research involved.


Most of your books seem to have some paranormal aspect in them. What is it about paranormal that you like so much?

I know! I have no idea how that happens! lol. The paranormal is just so interesting; the idea that there is more out there than we see. Plus, when you write paranormal, anything can happen.


Your Young Adult book is called The Mind Readers. Can you tell us a little about it?

Sure! It’s basically about a girl who can read minds and the feelings and expectations that go with that. Here’s the blurb:

Cameron Winters is a freak. Fortunately, no one but her family knows the truth …that Cameron can read minds. For years Cameron has hidden behind a facade of normalcy, warned that there are those who would do her harm. When gorgeous and mysterious Lewis Douglas arrives he destroys everything Cameron has ever believed and tempts her with possibilities of freedom. Determined to embrace her hidden talents, Cameron heads to a secret haven with Lewis; a place where she meets others like her, Mind Readers.

But as Cameron soon finds out some things are too good to be true. When the Mind Readers realize the extent of Cameron’s abilities, they want to use her powers for their own needs. Cameron suddenly finds herself involved in a war in which her idea of what is right and wrong is greatly tested. In the end she’ll be forced to make a choice that will not only threaten her relationship with Lewis, but her very life.

Are any of the characters in The Mind Readers based on people you know in your life?

Not anyone in particular, although I do take bits and pieces of reality. In the beginning of the book you have a bunch of teens who want to be popular. Let’s face it, that’s completely true. Deep down we all want to be liked. Even adults. I also touch on the subject of older men seducing young girls, which, unfortunately, happens way too often in society.

The thing is I try to give my characters some sort of weakness. A lot of readers, especially in the paranormal genre, want characters to be these strong, kick-butt heroines. And that’s great, but not exactly realistic. I try to give my characters a touch of realism; I like to see them grow. I’ve had readers write to me and say they loved how realistic my heroine, Cameron, is. They loved the fact that she grew in the story. Other’s didn’t care for her and wanted her to be kick-butt right from the beginning. As I said, I like to have a little realism. I do have to say though, because you see Cameron grow in this first book, in the second book she’ll be more sure of herself.


What made you decide you wanted to write a Young Adult novel?

It wasn’t until I was around thirteen that I really started to love reading, so it’s those Young Adult books that had the most influence and have stuck with me. And I admit, it’s sort of nice writing about past experiences in books, sort of therapeutic. Honestly, I think we’re all teens deep down. The teenage years are so important. I talk to adults now and they are still working on the same issues that they had as teens, which just shows you how influential those years are.


Are you working on anything right now?

I’m working on a historical romance that’s for adults. But pretty soon I’ll be working on book two of The Mind Readers.


Is there anything you'd like to say to your readers?

I love to hear from readers! Because I’m self-published and didn’t go through a N.Y. publisher, it’s hard to know when people like your work, so those reviews and emails from readers are all that more important. I don’t think readers/bloggers realize how important they are. So thank you!


As part of this interview, Lori was kind enough to offer up three (3) Ecopies of her novel, The Mind Readers (my review here). If you'd like to be entered to win, simply leave some love for Lori on this post - along with a way to contact you if you win. Easy, right? Have your comments posted by midnight EST on Sunday, February 13. Good luck, guys!