This Writer’s Space: Lauren K. McKellar

All the regular readers of my blog know how much I adore Lauren K. McKellar. Her books make me cry, in an “oh god, my heart is breaking, Lauren!” kind of way.

Where I Write

When I drafted my latest novel, The Problem With Crazy, I wrote EVERYWHERE. I was working full-time, juggling freelance editing jobs and madly scrambling to learn all the extra things I could about this fabulous world of writing craft and technique, so I took every opportunity that became available to me. I wrote on the train to work, in my lunchbreak, on the couch in front of the TV (also known as ‘couple bonding time’), at bars—I even tried to dictate notes while I walked from the train station to work and cleaned the house.*

However, now all this has changed. I have gone freelance with my editing work and so when I write I do so at my desk, in my office—and it feels GREAT. Having a designated writing area, with my planning blackboard and comfy high-backed chair is fabulous. Plus, there’s no strange guy falling asleep and drooling on my shoulder, like there was on the odd public transport trip. Drool = uninspiring.

*NB: This was a dismal failure. I can write the things, but I cannot speak them. I apologise if you ever meet me and expect a coherent sentence.

Where I’m Inspired

Many things and places inspire me, but one of the main locations is the beach. I can catch a glimpse of it from my balcony, but every morning I get up, and go for a long run across the sand with my two dogs. The sound of the waves crashing never fails to soothe my oft-busy head, and helps my mind run wild with new story ideas.

The other main place I am inspired is *cringe* when I’m with my fiancé. I know he’s not technically a place, but sitting down with him over a table—beer and chips on the side—really helps me nut out my story ideas and takes my little half-conceived baby concepts and turns them into fully-fledged potential story adults.

What I’m Reading

I just came back from Indie Authors Down Under, Australia’s first self-published writer signing exhibition. I was there exhibiting as an author, but somehow managed to come home with almost as many books as I sold! I’m not sure where I’ll be starting, but I have Take A Chance by Abbi Glines, Broken by Kelly Elliot and First Glance by L.L. Hunter all vying for my attention right now. I can’t wait to devour them all!

About Lauren K. McKellar

Lauren K. McKellar is a writer and editor of fact and fiction. She has worked in publishing for more than eight years, and recently returned to her first love: writing books that make you feel.

Lauren loves to write for the Young and New Adult markets, and her debut novel, Finding Home, is a YA Contemporary, published through Escape, a Harlequin Australia imprint. Her second novel, The Problem With Crazy, is a NA Contemporary Romance.

Lauren is a member of the YA Rebels (vlog) and the Aussie Owned and Read blogging team. In her free time, she enjoys long walks on the beach with her two super-cute dogs and her partner-in-crime/fiancé.