Lauren Jackson lives in a small coastal town in Australia. Her hobby of writing stories developed into a passion when she discovered the website Wattpad at fourteen. Since 2012, she has garnered thousands of followers and millions of views on her stories, which helped her grow and develop her love for writing. She lives close to the beach with her partner and little dog, Ace. Lauren loves to write sweet, steamy romances, and always is writing a new book.
Let’s get started with a quick rapid fire.
Q1. If you could be transformed into one mythological creature, which one would you choose?
A mermaid for sure. But a cool one, not a scary one.
Q2. What time do you usually go to bed at night?
Between 10-11pm usually.
Q3. What are the least-likely three words someone would use to describe you?
Anti-social, quiet, mean.
Q4. Where did you go on your last vacation?
Last vacation I went on was Cairns (Australia).
Q5. Would you rather find your dream job or win the lottery? You can’t do both.
Probably win the lottery but only if it was a huge win haha.
Q6. What is one thing you regret spending money on?
Clothes that I don’t end up wearing.
Q7. What object do you misplace or lose the most?
I’m always putting my phone down and forgetting where I put it.
Q8. If you were a spy, what would be your codename?
The Ghost.
Q9. What secret about the universe would you most want to learn?
How did it all start?
Q10. What never fails to make you laugh?
People falling over in videos!
Q11. What was one “before” and “after” in your life?
Before and after I became a published author!
Q12. What do you think people misunderstand about you?
That in certain situations I’m very extroverted but other times I’m an introvert.
It’s time for a more detailed conversation, Lauren.
You’ve answered our rapid fire brilliantly, Lauren. Now, it’s time for our readers to know more about the person behind the book.
Q. Tell us something about yourself that’s going to keep us wanting more.
I’m a twenty-something Australian writer by night, and a clinic manager for a doctor by day. I love to write, spend time with my family and take my dog to the beach. I’m always working on a new book!
Q. Well, that’s just…memorable for sure. So, what books have you read more than once in your life?
Harry Potter and Vampire Academy.
Q. Interesting. Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing?
Probably my mum!
Q. Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
I definitely talk about things that have happened to me or I have felt. Some people make the connections and others don’t.
Q. Now comes the most anticipated question that every author must answer. How do you process and deal with negative book reviews?
I honestly try not to read them because I don’t want to take them to heart. It’s easy to say I won’t but I always do, although I understand everyone has their own opinions and my books aren’t for everyone!
Q. What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?
The characters! I feel like once I know who the book will be about, their story falls into place.
Q. How do you develop your plot and characters?
As soon as I work out who the characters are, the ideas for their story start popping up and I pick whatever I think is best!
Q. You got 100 points. You need to divide them on the basis of how relevant and important they are to you as a reader and a writer for your book or someone else’s as a reader. Your options are Plot/Story, Dialogues, Book Cover, Marketing, and, Reviews.
30 — Plot/Story , 20 — Dialogues , 20 — Marketing , 15 — Review , 15 — Cover.
Q. So, now, about your book. Talk to us about it. No major spoilers.
Meant to Be is a spicy standalone contemporary romance with tropes such as:
Enemies to lovers
Small town romance
Right person, wrong time
Second chance romance
“It’s always been you”
Q. What part of the book did you enjoy the most while writing?
I loved writing the beginning. I love when I write about a mystery!
Q. What is your kryptonite as a writer?
Not finishing a book before I start another one.
Q. What risks have you taken with your writing that have paid off?
I wasn’t sure how spicy to make my book as I was worried about my family reading it (which they did) but a lot of my feedback has been amazing about those scenes so I’m glad I took the risk!
Q. Let’s talk about the process of writing. Do you do research while writing a book to add more authenticity? What kind and how far do you go – ever traveled to a foreign place just for the sake of your book?
Not yet! At the moment, I only write what I know but I would love to be pre adventurous in the future!
Q. What was your hardest scene to write?
I think the end of a book is always a bittersweet moment and a challenge!
Q. Well, this has been great. Now, before we wrap this up, do you have any suggestions to help someone become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Practice makes perfect! Definitely getting feedback and taking it on board as it’s difficult to pick up errors in your own work.