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Hi Lawrence, thanks for joining me this afternoon.
Can you describe your book for us - what genre would you classify it into?
My book "Kill Me Now" is all about my exploits, escapades and narrow escapes I had while doing what others have done before me; meaning to find that one lady who I will allow to make my life a living hell. Despite the fact that some of the dates were true terror, I would definitely classify this as humour.
How did you come up with the idea for the book?
It was a nice spring evening when I met, Ms Motor Mouth. Young Lawrence (ok, young at heart...) shaved, showered and perfumed himself up to meet Ms Motor Mouth, who was a blind date, bestowed upon him by a match maker. Yes, yes, you heard it, a match maker. Read my book for sordid details of the awfulness of this period.
So I met Motor for coffee and for the better part of two hours, she did not stop talking. The poor waiter was standing next to her waiting for her to order while she went on and on. The only thing I knew about her soliloquy was that she was complaining about her job. Not explaining, but complaining. Should I have charged her $200 for therapy?
My mind wondered and wandered and I looked up to the heavens for release. Scotty was not available, but the title was born. Thanks Ms Motor Mouth.
When and why did you begin writing?
When I was three! I picked up a pencil and started writing. I was so far advanced in my language skills that to this day no one has broke the hidden code behind my prose. I am sure that is how the Da Vinci code started out. Maybe in a hundred years some genius named Suineg will say “Hey, there is a pattern in this. Let us decipher this.”
Perhaps I should have been a secret agent. Maybe I replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond? Maybe I am just dreaming.
I would have to say that my favourite character is obviously the person I know best. I know this guy very very well. Well at least I think I do. Yes, I am sure I do. I have never met him before, but I do see him every day when I shave. It is yours truly!
The second best character would have to be my best friend, Ed. I have known him for three decades. He keeps telling me that I am nuts. Why go out on dates and come and tell him about them. He is married and has this doomed look in his eyes. He told me once that if I ever get married he would first kill himself and then kill me. I am not sure how he intends to do that because if he kills himself, he will be dead and therefore not be able to kill me. But what do I know?
What was the hardest part of writing the book?
The research was both the hardest and the most fun. By research I meant going on dates. But it makes it sound as if I went on dates only for research. That is not true. The date only made it into the book if it turned out that she was worthy of a mention, such as one woman who threatened to kill me.
I can sympathise with you there! I met some truly contemptible and amazingly ridiculous people on my dates!
So did you design the covers of the book yourself?
I had a graphic designer do it. We discussed it together. The book is supposed to show that I as a male know nothing about women. I do not understand them and I am not afraid to say so. There are signals and hints that are sent out that women think are understood but they are not. If I understood those signals I would either be a woman myself or effeminate. So the poor guy on the cover, offering flowers, has no idea why his woman's so angry.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I learned a lot. Writing is a lot of fun. I also learned that what you say can and will be used against you.
What are your current projects? We all want to know when your next book coming out!
I am currently working on book two and three of the “Kill Me Now!” trilogy. I am not sure when the sequel will be out as I am still looking for stories. Any reader want to send me a story that I can adopt as my own? The book will be called “How I didn’t meet your mother”.
Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
"Prefer" has nothing to do with it as it has to be when I come up with an idea. Believe it or not that normally happens when I am on the toilet. That is why my trusty iPhone is with me.
I love that play on words - 'How I Met Your Mother' is one of my favourite TV shows!
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to readers?
Yes. Take the line from the Jackie Chan remake of Karate Kid “When life knocks you down, you can chose whether to get up or not.”
Quick-fire questions:
ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover? Paperbacks
Cats or dogs? Dogs, either golden cocker spaniels or golden retrievers
Coffee or tea? Coffee!!!!
Favourite food? Cheese cake!
Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream? Chocolate!!!!!
What are 4 things you never leave home without? My keys, my iPhone, my shoes and my wits.
If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you any why? Anne Hathaway because she has the best smile and…, and Superman so that he can fly Anne and I away. But why would anyone desert me on an Island?
Which is your all-time favourite song (only one song please)?
My Way - Frank Sinatra!
Thanks for joining us on the blog this week - all the best for your book and future challenges on the page and over dinner 'n' drinks!
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You can find out more about Lawrence and his writing here:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lbigfoot
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KMNow
Blog: http://killmenow.org/blog
Take a look - he won't bite! Until next time...
Lou x
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Born To Be A Tourist