July's Author of the Month, James Lawless

James is the author of Peeling Oranges, For Love of Anna, The Avenue, Clearing the Tangled Wood, Find Penelope, Knowing Women, and Rus in Urbe.

You can find him and his books at

http://www.amazon.com/James-Lawless/e/B001JOXD96/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

His easiest book to write was The Avenue because the images just flowed. The hardest book for him to write was Clearing the Tangled Wood because it involved so much research. He began writing when he was 12 years old when his father bought him a journal. His mother inspired him to become a writer as she read him many stories growing up. He also enjoyed hearing the stories his mother and aunt shared while the men were all at work. His motivation? As he calls it, a condition that leaves him unfulfilled if he doesn’t write.

 

James overcame three things in his life. He had asthma as a child. The premature death of his mother. And nearly losing his son.

One of his favorite books is the diaries of Virginia Wolf for the insights into the sacrificial day to day craft of writing. James’ advice to new writers is just one comment…”Its not a hobby.”