The 5W's of Lori Spielman + Giveaway

WHO? Who are you besides a writer?  
I’m a wife, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a step-mother, an Amma (step-grandmother), a friend, a speech pathologist, a guidance counselor, a sailor, a runner, a teacher, and someone who loves to laugh.


WHAT? What do you enjoy doing other than writing in your spare time? 
I love sailing, walking, reading and baking. But I have to say, my favorite activity is sitting around a table with cold drinks and good food, laughing and chatting with friends or family.


WHEN? When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I remember a job interview when I was about 22 years old. The interviewer asked me to tell him my wildest fantasy. (I know, can you believe it? Sooo inappropriate and creepy!) I probably disappointed him when I revealed that my wildest fantasy would be to live on the ocean and write a novel. It was the first time I’d ever articulated my writing fantasy. But that’s all it was then: a fantasy. Since childhood, I’d always loved telling and writing stories, but I never imagined I’d be a “real” writer. As I was nearing 40, I began writing a YA novel, and loved it so much I had to tear myself away from the computer each night. That’s when I re-discovered my passion for writing and started taking it seriously.


WHERE? Where do you write?
I have a cozy office where I keep my laptop, but more often than not I take it to our sunroom or family room. I did a fair amount of the rewriting of The Life List on our sailboat, which was fabulous. The final revisions were done while my husband and I were on sabbatical in Washington, New Orleans, and Chicago.


WHY? Why do you write?
I realized at an early age that I could express my feelings much better in writing than by verbalizing. So, I write to express myself, to entertain, to fulfill a need to create, to escape, to explore a little deeper, and to connect with others.

Thank-you so much for sharing your 5w's with us, Lori! I have to admit that was a creepy interview question, lol, but that would so be my exact answer too!

If you are like me, you've been reading some amazing reviews of Lori's debut book THE LIFE LIST! I am so excited to offer a giveaway copy to one US resident! Here is a little bit about her book:

THE LIFE LIST by Lori Spielman

(GoodReads) In this utterly charming debut — one woman sets out to complete her old list of childhood goals, and finds that her lifelong dreams lead her down a path she never expects.

1. Go to Paris

2. Perform live, on a super big stage

3. Have a baby, maybe two

4. Fall in love 

Brett Bohlinger has forgotten all about the list of life goals she’d written as a naïve teenager. In fact, at thirty-four, Brett seems to have it all—a plum job at her family’s multimillion-dollar company and a spacious loft with her irresistibly handsome boyfriend. But when her beloved mother, Elizabeth, passes away, Brett’s world is turned upside down. Rather than simply naming her daughter the new CEO of Bohlinger Cosmetics, Elizabeth’s will comes with one big stipulation: Brett must fulfill the list of childhood dreams she made so long ago. 

Grief-stricken, Brett can barely make sense of her mother’s decision. Some of her old hopes seem impossible. How can she possibly have a relationship with a father who died seven years ago? Other dreams (Be an awesome teacher!) would require her to reinvent her entire future. For each goal attempted, her mother has left behind a bittersweet letter, offering words of wisdom, warmth, and—just when Brett needs it—tough love. 

As Brett struggles to complete her abandoned life list, one thing becomes clear: Sometimes life’s sweetest gifts can be found in the most unexpected places.

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