Let’s Chat! Author Laurie Lucking
Welcome, Everyone! And Welcome, Laurie Lucking!
This week we venture into fantasy land with author Laurie Lucking, who writes young adult Christian fantasy with a strong thread of fairy-tale romance. How intriguing!
Gather ’round as Laurie tells us about herself and her books.
**Laurie’s offering a giveaway, so be sure to comment below to be entered in drawing.**
**Congratulations, TJ, winner of e-novel, Common!**
Laurie Lucking Before Writing
My family moved four times by the time I turned four, but my parents have been in the same home in Wisconsin ever since! I’ve always loved reading and dreaming up stories, but I struggled with creative writing in grade school so I assumed writing wasn’t for me.
I studied English and economics at St. Olaf College (and got to sing in one of their amazing choirs!) and then went on to law school at the University of Minnesota.
My husband and I met through a church group while I was in law school and got married just two weeks after my graduation! I practiced law for several years but left my job to become a stay-at-home mom when my oldest son was born.
The days home with my newborn were precious but long, and I needed a creative outlet. Writing a book entered my mind, and I couldn’t shake it. Once I finally summoned the courage to get started, I was completely hooked! (Click to Tweet!)
My husband and I continue to live in Minnesota with our two young sons, and I spend my breaks from playing superheroes and driving wind-up cars writing young adult Christian fantasy with a strong thread of fairy tale romance.
Laurie Lucking’s Debut
My debut novel, Common, just released on February 14th! It took me years to finish the manuscript, and so many roadblocks came up along the way I sometimes wondered if I’d ever complete it. Even once I had a full draft, the editing process was long and painful since I’m still learning so much about pacing and story structure. But I just couldn’t give up on this Cinderella-type romance between a quiet servant girl and her handsome prince. (Click to Tweet!)
After bolstering the sagging middle, tightening up my prose, and deepening my characters, I submitted my story to an editor I’d met at a writing conference. I cried so hard when she said she wanted to publish my book that my poor husband couldn’t figure out if I was calling with good news or bad news! Holding the beautiful proof copies was a dream come true, and it’s been thrilling (and a bit scary!) to see my books arriving in the hands of so many readers!
What’s Up With Laurie Lucking Now?
Common is the first book in my Tales of the Mystics, which will be a series of companion novels. The next two books are in the works—one is halfway done, the other 
only a rough outline so far.
Also, I enjoy writing short stories, and my Peter Pan-inspired story, “Threshold,” will be published in late March in an anthology titled Mythical Doorways put together by the Fellowship of Fantasy. Also, I love to draw inspiration from fairy tales and other classic stories, so I hope to add many more titles in the future! (Click to Tweet!)
Giveaway Offer From Laurie Lucking
I would love to give away a digital copy of 
Common! One of the major themes in the book is that even the most ordinary-seeming person is anything but common, and we are all capable of doing extraordinary things. So to enter, comment and tell us something that makes you UNcommon!
How to Find Laurie Lucking and her Books
~ ~ ~
Lord, You use Your children in myriad ways. The path you set before Laurie has taken unexpected turns, but we see Your handprint along the way. How UNcommon for a young attorney to walk away from her career to rear her children. And now to write stories that take readers into fantasy lands where they discover You!
Please bless each word Laurie writes for You.
~ For Jesus’ sake ~
I have wanted to read Common since I heard about it shortly before its release! Cinderella is by far my favorite style fairy tale to read about!
Thank you so much, TJ! I love Cinderella fairy tales, too – my favorite is probably Ella Enchanted 🙂
Would love to read it 💗 Thanks for the chance!
Thank you so much for stopping by, Linda!
Gotta love Laurie if for no other reason than she’s a lefty. Best of luck to you in your writing and sales, Tri-el (Lefty Lauri Lucking).
Thank you so much, David! Lefties unite!! 🙂
Thank you so much for hosting me and allowing me to share about my book, Linda! The prayer is beautiful! 🙂
Hosting you is a joy and a privilege, Laurie. God bless!