Author Q&A with Laura S. Tarasoff
Author Q&A with Laura S. Tarasoff
Laura S. Tarasoff is a poet, writer, explorer, and believer of people. Her first chapbook is “Warm Cinnamon Rolls on Sunday Morning“. Laura lives on Whidbey Island, Washington with her partner, where they run a home business and enjoy the splendor of island life. Her work has appeared in Peeking Cat Poetry Journal, Writing In a Woman’s Voice blog, and 3rd Act Magazine. She expands her technology skills on her new website: LauraSTarasoff.com.
1. Tells us about your writing/ published book(s)
My first chapbook of poetry was released at the end of May, 2021. “Warm Cinnamon Rolls on Sunday Morning” (Castle Knob Publishing) is a collection of heart warming poems that acknowledges and celebrates the beauty in everyday living.
I am just starting to blog again. LauraSTarasoff.com is a place to find my thoughts and inspirations that keep the light of hope guiding my path.
2. Where’s your favourite place to write?
In my car. I have a sweet corner in my house, with my grandfather’s chair and a cozy blanket. And space at the kitchen table. But my favourite place is by myself, parked anywhere, scribbling in a notepad. It is quiet and warm, with little distractions. For creating, it is great. For the work of writing, editing and such, the kitchen table does the job.
3. What’s your favourite genre to read?
Memoir and poetry, which is rather like short memoir. I love to hear people’s stories. Being an extrovert, a memoir feels like a visit with a friend. There aren’t many genres I don’t read. I am not much into horror or true crime, but I will read them
4. Have you always wanted to write?
Yes. I grew up in Maine, USA. New England is the land of authors. Poets were celebrated as the keepers of the emotions of history, as it happened. My grandmother was a poet, it seemed like the natural thing would be to write poetry. I was grown and moved away before I found out there are people who don’t read poetry on a regular basis.
5. What do you do when you have writer’s block?
Walk away, give it space. As a poet, getting wrapped up in the perfect word or where to put the comma or line break can be overwhelming. Walking away and doing anything else gives me and the poem a break to think things through. Housework comes in handy during those times.
6. Do you like reading the same books you write?
Yes, in all the styles of poetry. I don’t think poetry has a right or wrong style. Romantic fiction isn’t better than sci-fi, just not for that reader. Poetry is the same way.
7. How do you choose your book’s title(s)?
This title came from a poem in the book. Finding the titles for the poems can be daunting. I have poems that I have re-named 3 or 4 times trying to find one that fits. I just keep reading it over and over until it comes.
8. What advice would you give to someone wanting to write their first book?
Learn from the people that came before you. Some rules should be followed, some should be shattered. But there is knowledge in experience. Read articles and blogs. Take classes, go to seminars, go to readings and ask questions. Learn. And hire a content and context editor that will be honest with you. The truth hurts, but it doesn’t hurt as much as a bad review over something that could have been fixed.
9. How do you fit writing into your everyday life?
When I was working full time, I took whatever minutes I could find. Now that I am home, building our small business, I am finding whatever minutes I can find. Time is like a pond. Taking a stone out doesn’t change the amount of water, it just fills in the space. The early morning hours have been a space of time that there are few distractions, as long as I get off the internet. Writing early gives my best energy to writing.
10. How do you handle criticism?
Carefully. There are people who don’t like my style of poetry, that doesn’t bother me. I’m not for everyone, it’s okay.
If the criticism is constructive to reach my audience, to ensure I’m not hurting someone, or to check grammar; I will pay attention, learn and grow.
11. Tell me about your current work
My focus right now is on getting on a schedule to blog. It isn’t as easy as I thought it would be, but I’ll get there.
12. Would you want your book made into a film?
Someone recently posted that a character in a show was going to read one of their poems. That is a new idea. I’d love just to have my book on the coffee table in a film. Poetry as product placement.
13. How many books do you own?
Not many. I moved a lot, so my book collection is sparse. I am a great believer in libraries. Read the book and donate it to the library.
This or That Questions…
Short books or Long books
Either. Depends on how much time I have.
Romance or Fantasy
Romance
Bright book covers or Muted book covers
Bright, which is funny because mine is muted.
Ebooks, Paperbacks or Audiobooks
All of the above
Writing in the Morning or Evening
Morning
Character Driven or Plot Driven
Character. I love to get to know the character.
Where can you find Laura?
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