Author Spotlight: Harlow Layne | CJC Photography

Author Spotlight: Harlow Layne

Away Game by Harlow Layne, Harlow Layne author, Eric Guilmette model

CJC: How did you get started as an author and what made you want to pursue that field?

HL: I was a huge Southern Vampire Mysteries fan. I still don’t call it by the name the series changed to. lol. After reading the twelfth book and being extremely upset (that’s an understatement) I went in search for what others thought would happen in the final book. That’s when I found fanfiction for the series. After reading it for a couple of years and the final book was out, I decided I wanted to write a better ending. I wrote fanfiction for a few years and during that time I had a story in my head (Hollywood Redemption) that I wanted to write but knew most of my readers wouldn’t read it since a good number of them only liked paranormal romance.

CJC: What do you find to be the most rewarding and challenging part of being an author and what hurdles have you overcome while striving towards your goals?

HL: The most rewarding part is hearing how much my stories mean to my readers. When they connect with my characters and how the book touched their hearts.  The challenging part is finding time to do everything. It’s not only writing the book, but marketing it, posting on social media, and all the administrative work.

CJC: Which novel has been your favorite to write and why?

HL: The Model is my favorite book to date that I’ve written. It’s sad to say but there are times when writing a book isn’t fun, but every second of writing Ryder and Lexie’s story was so much fun.

CJC: For first time readers of your work, which book would you recommend?

HL: Secret Admirer. It’s a fan favorite.

CJC: If one of your books were made into a movie, which would you select and who would you like to star in it?

HL: That’s an incredibly difficult question to answer, but I’m going to say The Model. I would want Christian Hogue (who was my muse for Ryder) and Halsey (also my muse) to star in it.

CJC: For those looking to become an author, what advice would you give them?

HL: Write every single day and don’t give up.

CJC: If you could co-write a book with any author, who would it be and why?

HL: I would love to co-write a book with Meagan Brandy. Her bully, dark romance books give me life. The families she creates are some of my favorites.

CJC: Favorite motto?

HL: Some people are born great; some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.

CJC: What do you do to overcome writer’s block?

HL: I try to talk out what’s blocking me with one of my friends and plan what I’m going to write next.

CJC: In one word, how would you describe your writing style?

HL: Messy.

CJC: Which do you find harder to do… writing the blurb for your story or selecting the cover?

HL: Most definitely the blurb.

CJC: Which author inspires you the most and why?

HL: There are so many authors who inspire me for different reasons, but I love Tijan. I swear she can write anything. She’s one author I don’t even bother to read her blurbs because I know I’m going to love whatever she writes. She made me fall in love with her Fallen Crest series and give new adult romance a chance.

CJC: What is your writing process like?

HL: I’ve got to have something to drink, preferably Diet Dr. Pepper, some sugar nearby, and then have my diffuser going with whatever I think will work for me that day. It might be a winter smell, baking smell, smells that make me focus or motivated. I also have my Bose headphones on to keep out all the noises going on in my house and have Brain.fm playing deep focus.

CJC: What new projects are you currently working on and what are your goals for the remainder of the year?

HL: I’m currently writing Until Delilah which is part of Aurora Rose Reynolds, Happily Ever Alpha world which will include Max Black from Until December and Delilah, Ryder and Lexie’s daughter from The Model.

For the rest of the year, I plan to write as much of my Willow Bay series as I can (I have 3 more books planned for this generation), release book 3 of my Love is Blind series that’s all reverse age gap romance, and a novella that will come out in December.

CJC: Any final thoughts you would like to share with the CJC Photography readers?

HL: Christopher is amazing and so easy to work with. I’m so glad his photo of Eric Guilmette is on Away Game’s cover. I hope you give Away Game a chance.

CJC: Away Game is now available for purchase here!

Stay up to date with all of Harlow’s latest releases here.

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