Getting to know my readers: Laurel Garver

As part of the celebration for reaching 100 public readers I have decided to learn more about them. Scott Bailey, whose work is brilliant, moving and funny, indulged me by answering some questions. My second guest is Laurel Garver, whose blog reached her milestone of 333.

I don't remember how I came across Laurel's blog, but her thoughtfulness and warmth have drawn me back repeatedly. Here is a little bit about her:

Laurel is a writer, magazine editor, professor's wife and mom to an energetic second grader. Indie film enthusiast and incurable Anglophile. She writes young adult novels, literary flash fiction and poetry. She loves smart, sassy characters and stories that delve into the dark places where heart and soul are tested and growing up truly begins.

1. Name the last three books you read.

Invisible by Pete Hautman

My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Blue Fire by Janice Hardy

A majority of what I read is contemporary YA, but I do try to mix in other genres.


2. Name one of your favorite authors. The first name that pops into your
mind. Explain. Or not.

Susan Howatch remains a favorite. She’s a British author who writes about incredibly flawed
people of faith who go through the wringer and emerge transformed. I especially recommend
the first two of her St. Benet’s series: The Wonder Worker and The High Flyer.


3. On a typical weekday, what are you doing at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m?

At 10 a.m., I’m at my part-time day job as a magazine editor. I can usually be found trafficking
manuscripts, writing correspondence, copy editing or proofreading. I squeeze in blog
commenting here and there.

At 10 p.m. I might be watching a Netflix DVD with my hubby. We like British TV, SciFi and
foreign and quirky independent films. If he has a lot of grading, I’ll hole up in my home office
to write blog posts, do research or work on shorter pieces (flash fiction or poetry). When I’m
really “on fire,” I’ll work on a novel after dark.

4. Have you ever had breakfast for dinner? Dessert before main course?

We have breakfast for dinner a few times a month—usually waffles or pancakes. Yum! Dessert
first doesn’t appeal that much. Having the salty main course first makes desserts taste sweeter.

5. Kindle, Nook, or iPad?

I’d love to own an iPad. You hear that, Santa? J

Gadget-buying isn’t a priority for me. We live pretty simply so that I can work part-time and be
home when my school-aged daughter is.


6. How do you want your work to be characterized? First three words that pop
into your mind.

Layered. Gripping. Transformative.


7.What have you written today?

Book review assignment letter, four e-mails, some blog comments, and revisions based on crits
from my crit group meeting last night.


8. Name a favorite food/dish that is colorful

Evil Jungle Princess. It’s a veggie-heavy Thai dish flavored with red curry, coconut milk, ginger
and Thai basil. My husband makes this and all kinds of other world cuisines (Chinese, Korean,
Japanese, Indian, Mediterranean, French, British). He’s a very talented cook.


9. Name a vocation, time, and place you'd love to be.

I’d love to edit/publish a literary magazine and live in England in, say, the 1950s. It would be
fun to wear gloves and hats, but have indoor plumbing and electricity. While we’re dreaming,
I’d like a half-timbered house, a small stable with a horse and a music room with a marimba. I’d
play occasional weekend gigs with a jazz combo.

(I didn't know you played marimba! So do my MG novel MC and I!)

Thanks, Laurel and congrats on the milestone for your blog.