Danita Minnis

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Author Interview Naomi Laeuchli

1. How did you choose your genre? What made you write this book?

I had the idea for this story….and about four others. All different genres. I wrote each idea that I wanted to write on the back of old, used Starbucks gift card (because they were what was closest at hand) put them into a brown paper bag, and randomly drew a card. This story was the story that came out.

2. Writers write what they know, and must observe the world. Are you a first born, middle or last child and how does this shape your view of the world?

I am the youngest of four. Being the youngest there are often things you’re told you can’t do and you also frequently feel not as good at things as your older siblings. That left me with a streak of determination to prove that I can do things. Nothing makes me want to do something more than someone doubting that I can do it. Tell me I can’t and I will want to.

3. Where is your favorite place to write?

Anywhere with a cup of coffee. But it does depend. I do love writing at my computer, but sometimes if I’m getting some writer’s block I have to move to a different room in the house, pull out a notebook, or even sometimes just get in bed and type away on my phone.

4. How do you feel about killing your darlings, and what do you do with the remains?

The Schoolmasters Daughter is self-published. It is so easy when you’re self-published to have imposter syndrome and feel like you are not a real writer. Kill your darlings is engraved as proverbial writer wisdom but…I honestly don’t agree with it. Not across the board.

There are certainly times when a writer can get in their own way. Where they get carried away, full of themselves, or lose sight of something while distracted by delusion.

But your darlings are what makes your writing yours. Your darlings are what brings you joy in writing. If you have to choose between joy of writing or selling a thousand copies, you should choose the joy.

So much is passed down as writing wisdom that is preached as core rules of good writing that so many books that have endured the test of time do not follow.

Embrace your darlings. Love you darlings. They are what makes your writing uniquely you. They are the reason someone should pick up your book instead of another’s. They are what makes you you and what make your books a part of you.

5. You are introduced to your favorite author. Who is it, and what is that one burning question you must ask them?

My mind is always changing about who is my favorite author. J.K. Rowling? Terry Pratchett? Agatha Christie?

But I think it is Georgette Heyer. Georgette Heyer is essentially the creator of historical romance fiction as we know it now.

There’s actually quite a few quotes of hers disparaging her readers and some of her own books. I would like to know why she really felt that way.  Or did she? Maybe she also had imposter syndrome and felt her books shouldn’t be as popular as they were?

6. Inquiring minds want to know…tell readers something about you that no one knows.

I have written an MCU fanfic that features a romantic pairing that is the only story on Archive of Our Own that is tagged with that specific romantic pairing. If you know AO3 and how many MCU fanfics they have, with so many bizarre pairings, that is no easy feat to accomplish. Nor is either character really all that obscure…though they never share a scene in the movies.

7. You are stranded on a deserted island with only a back pack for company. What three items are in your survival pack?

Must. Resist. Impulse. To. Cheat. And. Say. Satellite. Phone.

Okay. Lighter. Hopefully that will buy me enough time to learn how to start a fire without one.

Sleeping bag. Something really good, with a really low temperature rating.

A really sharp knife.

8. If you could have one super power in your existence, what would it be?

Teleportation is the logical choice. I could visit my siblings whenever I wanted and see so many amazing places around the world. I could also hike any mountain, and would always have the option to teleport away if things got sketchy while hiking.

9. Favorite snack?

Dried mango…but really, really dried. I want to have to gnaw on that mango to make it edible.

10. Indy 500 – Do you know how to get where you’re going or do you drive the speed limit?

I follow the speed limit religiously. The DMV made me read the driver’s manual to acquire my license and it said, even in the fast lane, you are not supposed to exceed the speed limit, and I stand by that.

Of course, the lady who gave me my first driving test (which I failed incidentally) said I should always be going “at least the speed limit”. I still feel salty about that…. but she did give me an idea for a book, so maybe it was worth it.

THE SCHOOLMASTER’S DAUGHTER

Naomi Laeuchli

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GENRE:  Regency Romance

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BLURB:

Deep in debt and desperate for a solution, Julius Claydon knows that marrying a wealthy woman is his only hope. When he meets the beautiful and rich Clara Haughton in Bath, he believes she could be his salvation, but there’s one obstacle in his path: Lydia Cray, Clara’s sharp-witted and penniless companion.

When Lydia quickly sees through his fortune-hunting motives, Julius proposes an alliance. He will help secure her future if she helps him secure Clara’s heart.

But Lydia is not all she appears to be, and she has a plan of her own: to teach him a lesson he won’t soon forget. But her scheming soon leads to unforeseen consequences for them both.

Can love spring from deception?

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Excerpt:

“You seem to have taken a dislike to me,” he remarked.

“I have.” It came back promptly.

“Is my dancing really that bad?”

“No. You seem quite a capable dancer,” she said as if forced to be fair against her inclination.

“Then I’m afraid I don’t know what I’ve done to offend.”

“I’m sure you don’t.”

They crossed the room once more and came back together. Her hand was stiff in his own, and there was something unyielding in the way she moved through the steps. “Are you going to explain it to me?”

She shrugged. “I know you for what you are.”

“And what exactly is that?”

“A fortune hunter.”

It was stated so flatly, so calmly, and so completely correctly, that he couldn’t help himself: he threw back his head and laughed. She looked surprised. Perhaps he should have tried to disassemble, but there was a sharpness and confidence in her tone that made it impossible. However she knew, she did indeed know, and her forthrightness amused him.

“I’m sorry, Miss Cray. How did you guess?” He did not bother to hide from his voice that he was impressed.

“Well, I at least give you credit for not trying to hide it now,” she said a little dryly.

“How could I? When you have shot the target so exactly in the bull’s-eye. Credit where credit is due.” He gave a little mock bow.

“You seem an unusual specimen of your species.”

“There are always a few outliers. Have you met so many of us?”

“You must realize I’m quite used to dealing with your kind.”

“Are you? How very humbling you are. And here I thought myself clever.”

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Naomi Laeuchli Bio and Links:

Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Naomi Laeuchli has lived overseas in nine different countries on three different continents where her family was posted with the American Foreign Service. In November 2012 she moved from the Democratic Republic of the Congo back to the states and currently lives in Arizona with five horses. She works as a freelance writer and part time at the local library. She has written several interactive stories for Choice of Games, Tales, and Dorian.

https://www.amazon.com/Schoolmasters-Daughter-Naomi-Laeuchli/dp/B0D9SKC3D7 FREE TO LIVE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED

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