Basically, my writing style can be summed-up as a collection of extremely bad habits finely-tuned to an almost professional-level. 

Lauren Alexis Wood – 7 May 2019

The Back Flap

Scary Stories To Laugh At In The Dark pays homage to Alvin Schwartz’s classic ‘Scary Stories to Tell In The Dark’… except with a humorous twist. Because the dark is scary! Also…. some people might be familiar with laughing in the dark for another reason so this is just adding to the laughs!

About the book

What is the book about?

The book is a collection of hilarious short stories you can read in the dark if you want. Like if your electricity gets shut off. Or you’re in some kind of fucked-up exile. Maybe you’re just lying around versus doing anything else. Or maybe you just prefer darkness. This book is for everyone.

When did you start writing the book?

The book is a collection of blog posts I wrote over time and if you’re asking me when the first blog post was written I have seriously no idea.

How long did it take you to write it?

4,000 years. I’m being sarcastic.

Where did you get the idea from?

Alvin Schwartz’s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark was one of my absolute favorite books growing up and so this is my version.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

The stories contained within were inspired by my various interactions with some difficult people so I would say that was where the majority of the struggle will always be.

What came easily?

The writing.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

The protagonist in each of these fictional stories is me. That protagonist is simply trying to earn a living and provide for herself and yet just keeps running into some real jams.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I admittedly have a very unique style. Also, I actually read a lot of academic and scientific stuff versus creative fiction because I am a total dork. As far as influences go, I am a fan of Michael Crichton, Edgar Allen Poe, Dan Simmons, Dean Kootz, and the Perry Bible Fellowship which is an extremely twisted comic (like you find in the newspaper, not the comic book kind).

Do you have a target reader?

People who can see the humor in the individual stories as well as the book as a whole because trying to explain it is just not going to happen.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

Basically, my writing style can be summed-up as a collection of extremely bad habits finely-tuned to an almost professional-level. I procrastinate, then, sit down and pull whatever I need to write completely out of my ass. Preferably while having a few beers, however, I’m one of those psycho health and fitness people so I have to do all that in moderation.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

Honestly, no.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

Every time I write, I make a competition with myself to see if I can write the entire piece with no errors whatsoever and over time I’ve gotten pretty efficient at that.

Did you hire a professional editor?

No.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

My Spotify Playlists are ridiculous but they sometimes make for fantastic writing.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

No.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I own an indie publishing company where not one person ever listens to me so I have absolutely no expectations whatsoever of convincing anyone else. I simply went the self-publish route and if people like the book, awesome, if not, no big deal.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

Did it myself.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Super winging it.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Actually, I wrote an article specifically about that.

About You

Where did you grow up?

Basically Davenport, IA

Where do you live now?

If you can believe it, I am back in Davenport, IA

What would you like readers to know about you?

I have struggled with eating disorders in addition to some other health concerns for the majority of my life. I also feel a lot of empathy for other people’s situations versus my own issues. In fact, I like to call myself The Great Minimizer. I really appreciate readers who can understand how messed up what I just said was and can still find the humor like I do.

What are you working on now?

Getting this book out there and participating in my local comedy scene.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of Scary Stories to Laugh at in the Dark from Amazon US or Amazon UK.