Equestrian Fiction Spotlight: Author Laura Wolfe

Equestrian Author Spotlight: Meet Laura Wolfe

1/5/2017

In this eighth spotlight edition, I talk with fellow equestrian fiction author Laura Wolfe. We discuss the best topics on earth ... writing, books and horses! I just know riders and writers alike will love the message behind her favorite motivational quote. Are you thinking about publishing your own piece of equestrian fiction? You'll glean insight from Laura as she shares the advice she'd give herself if she could go back in time before publishing her first book. I love that she jots her ideas on napkins! I do that too ... smile. Happy reading!

A little bit about Equestrian Author Laura Wolfe

Equestrian Author Laura Wolfe

Laura Wolfe is a wife and mother to two children and a lover of animals and nature. When she's not writing or reading, you can find her playing games with her kids, riding horses, cooking vegan food, or doting on her rescue dog. She dreams of someday living on a hundred-acre horse farm.

In her previous life, she was an attorney, a legal editor, and a successful real estate broker. After having kids, she quickly decided that life was too short not to pursue her passions. Laura holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan and a JD from DePaul University College of Law. She's a member of multiple writing groups, including International Thriller Writers, Sisters in Crime, and the SCBWI.

Her novel, Trail of Secrets, was published in August 2015 by Fire and Ice YA, and was named a Finalist in the 2016 Next Generation Indie Book Awards - First Novel category. Additional writing credits inlcude articles in Practical Horseman magazine and PKA's Advocate.

Love it! Here's to pursuing dreams. Let's saddle up for Laura's interview!

What would your dream horse be like?

My dream horse would be a bay, German Warmblood gelding, about 16 hands. He would be forward-moving and a fun jumper. My dream horse wouldn't need to be perfect. I enjoy a challenge and the process of growing with a horse. Of course, he'd also have a friendly personality!

What is your involvement with horses?

I've been obsessed with horses since as far back as I can remember and started riding English when I was 10 or 11. Over the years, I've been lucky enough to own my own horse and lease other horses. Today, I take two hunter jumper lessons per week at a nearby barn and am having a blast introducing my six year-old daughter to the world of horses and riding. I dream of owning my own horse again someday. Of course, my daughter now wants a pony ... smile.

Favorite motivational quote?

"Fall down seven times, stand up eight." I love this quote because it applies to both writing and riding (and pretty much everything else in life!) It reminds me that not giving up is the only difference between people who reach their goals and those who don't.

What advice would you give yourself if you could go back in time before you published your first book?

I would have better prepared myself for the enormous amount of marketing it was going to take for my first book to sell. Before Trail of Secrets was published, I thought people would buy my book simply because it was available. I thought horse-lovers would buy it because it has a horse on the cover. I thought mystery-lovers would buy it because of the title. Now I realize how competitive the book market is. The truth is that people can't buy a book if they don't know it exists! Marketing, publicity, and building relationships with readers and other authors are just as important as the book itself.

Why do you write?

I write because I have to. Writing is an emotional and creative outlet for me. I feel like my head might explode if I don't write down the stories swirling around in there! My decision to take time off from writing has been short-lived, as I'm already envisioning the characters in my next book and jotting down outlines on napkins when my family isn't looking.

If your book is part of a series, would you share little about it?

Trail of Secrets is Book 1 in the Dark Horse Series. The series follows the main character, a highly-sensitive teenager named Brynlei, as she attends the prestigious Foxwoode Riding Academy summer riding camp. She arrives intent on focusing on her riding and winning the Top Rider award, but encounters a new mystery each summer. In Book 3, she will return as a riding instructor.

Any amusing story about writing this book?

I was a little nervous about writing my first novel so I didn't tell anyone (other than my husband and kids) I was writing it. When I ultimately signed a contract with Fire and Ice to publish Trail of Secrets, I began to share the good news that my novel was going to be published. Everyone had the same response: " I had no idea you were writing a book!" I always smile at what people must have thought I was doing holed up in my house all day for months on end.

How did you research your novel?

Because the main character in my book is a highly-sensitive person, I researched this condition online and read first-hand accounts of how people with extreme cases of this condition experience the world. I also researched the past-lives aspect of my book by reading about a few of the most famous cases of past life regression. I've always been fascinated with the paranormal and unexplained, so I tapped into things I've learned over the years from watching shows like Ghost Hunters and A Haunting.

What’s next? Future goals for your writing?

Barn Shadows (Book 2, Dark Horse Series) will be published by Fire and Ice on March 14th 2017. In addition, I recently completed an adult suspense novel set in the world of big city real estate that has nothing to do with horses. Hopefully, I will find an agent to represent it soon.

My next novel will be another adult suspense novel set against the backdrop of an upscale show barn. Also, I will be writing Book 3 in the Dark Horse series sometime in the next year.

Discover more about this Equestrian Fiction Author!

Equestrian Fiction by Author Laura Wolfe

Website: http://www.authorlaurawolfe.com
Blog: https://writingwithlaura.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraWolfe
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraCWolfe
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/laurawolfeautho
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Laura-Wolfe/e/B0143M0IV6
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1908042.Laura_Wolfe

Watch Laura Wolfe's Trail of Secrets Book Trailer!

What a spur jingling interview!

I LOVE EQUESTRIAN FICTION. If you are an author who writes about horses and would like to be spotlighted let me know. I’d be happy to include you too. Helping out fellow horse book authors makes my spurs jingle! Visit my contact page to fill out a request!

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Many thanks to equestrian author Laura Wolfe for this wonderful interview! I appreciate the support of a fellow author! Thank you for giving me the gift of your time, Laura!

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