It’s that time of the month, are you ready for another author interview? This time, it is none other than the Queen of traumance, Lauren Biel.
No word vomit this time.
Let’s get straight into it!
Am I correct in saying that Lauren Biel is a pen name? What made you choose that name?
It is a pen name! It’s just a combo of names that hold significance to me!
What is it that draws you to writing dark romance?
The freedom to be unapologetically unhinged if that is where my mind wants to go. I like not having constraints like in some other genres.
I like this, I think that is why I love reading dark romance.
Do you ever struggle when writing your darker books, like getting into the mindset of writing the trauma? Does it take its toll on you? I’m thinking about Captured and being in the mindset of Ophelia.
I absolutely have to be in the right mindset. And it’s very taxing on me. It’s why I kinda pivoted to doing dark romcoms for a bit. I just needed a vacation from the super dark stuff.
I can see how being in that mindset for a long time can be very taxing, and I am rather glad you pivoted to dark romcoms because they are my favourite.
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Ever since I can remember! I was obsessed with Ellen Hopkins!
Do you incorporate your life experiences or experiences of those around you in your stories?
Not always, thankfully 😂. But I do inject certain personalities from certain people in my life (good or bad lol)
Ooooo, I like that!
Following on from that, where do you find your inspiration for your books?
Mostly from movies, if I’m being honest. I seem to get most motivated after a really deep movie!
I need to know how the idea for the Slaycation series came about, because they are hilarious and I love them, but also the idea of a serial killer retreat is awesome and not something I have seen before!
I wanted to get away from Dark romance for a bit and was watching a movie about retreats and I said… How cool would it be to make these activities murdery?! And thus, the Slaycation series was born!
If you had to choose your favourite book you have ever written, what would it be and why?
Men of Mayhem and Vengeance! It was such a self insert obsession with old time gangsters! I watched Public Enemies (with Johnny Depp) and Peaky Blinders a lot and kinda mashed them together 😂😂…and made it very spicy!
I haven’t ever watched Public Enemies, but I did watch season one of Peaky Blinders. I loved it, so I don’t know why I didn’t finish it. Probably started reading a book and forgot about it lol.
Do you have any writing rituals?
Music! I like to play 90s and 2000s playlists before and during writing!
Yes, the peak of music, in my opinion, haha. I think I’m still stuck in the 2000s/2010s with my music, I don’t listen to much up to date stuff 😂 and 90s dance music was fire!
Can we hear a cute/funny story about Teddy or his new baby brother? (also pictures are always welcome)
One time Teddy destroyed a few books because he loves to climb on things he doesn’t belong… and people wanted to buy Teddy scratched books!
Okay, my cat destroyed one of my books. I was pissed, but no one wanted to buy it. Dodge has asked Teddy for his secrets? 😂
Stop it! Look at them!! So cute.
This is a question I desperately need the answer to, why make us hate food? haha. I cannot have mayo in a jar! Thankfully, I don’t care much for pineapple or cantaloupe and I don’t eat the legs on Turkey, lol. I legit shiver when I see a jar of mayo lol. I say this in jokes…well, not the mayo thing.
Captured wasn’t intentional at the time. I think I was disassociating while writing it! But it became what people focused on and then I just kept rolling with it ever since! Whenever I can do it!
What would you say has been the highlight of your author career so far?
When I meet readers. Anywhere. Any event. It just makes it all worth it!
Who in your life is your biggest supporter? Teddy right?
LOL! He’s helpful…kinda…but probably my husband and my editor! I don’t think I could do it without them! But Teddy definitely helps!
Teddy can do no wrong in my eyes. I don’t know him, but I love him!
What authors do you think need more hype?
Ann-Marie Davis FOR SURE! Also Ember Nicole! And Angie Lee! Absolutely love them!
I will make sure to check them out 🙂
You write amazing books, but what books do you like to read?
Dark romances or thrillers mostly! My favorite book is Tragic Beauty by Iris Ann Hunter
Other than traumatising us with mayo, what other hobbies do you have?
Horseback riding, hiking, movies, cat stuff 😂😂
Captured was my first ever Lauren Biel book, followed by Don’t Stop…I started in the deep end. What book would you advise your readers to start with?
You sure did. Deep end, no floaties! I would recommend either Sinners Retreat or Hitched!
I haven’t yet read Hitched, but I know my friend Corina loved it, and she always has good recommendations, so I need to make my way around to it. Too many books, not enough time right 😂 Sinners Retreat though…LOVE IT, and I agree it’s a great one to start with.
Speaking of Don’t Stop…How did you get the idea for the frankenpeen?
Another disassociating moment I guess. It just *happened* 😂😂
I won’t even lie, this was my face when reading the spicy scenes in Don’t Stop.
Do you usually have a few projects on the go or do you start a book and see that through to the end?
I usually have 4 projects going at any given time!
Speaking of, how long would you say your process is from starting a book to finishing it?
6 months ish. Now. It used to be much faster but I’ve dealt with a lot of burn out lately. Faster for novellas!
I think 6 months, is super fast to be fair. I think it would take me years lol.
Do you get nervous when you release a new book?
Yes. Same level of anxiety no matter how many books I release! The imposter syndrome is real!
What is one thing that your fans don’t know about you?
Hm… I never ate bacon until like 2022 😂😂🥓🥓. Now I’m obsessed.
I have so many questions. I love bacon.
I like to throw random questions in so would you rather be stuck in the ocean with sharks or stuck in a lake with alligators?
Depends on how hungry the sharks are but I’m going with sharks 😂🦈
One of my biggest fears, and it’s an irrational one, I know, is sharks. I can’t even watch Jaws without getting shivers. So I’m gonna take on the gator. I used to watch that show, what was it gator boys? I watched it on YouTube years after it was released but I can handle a gator….I’m lying.
Can we have a sneak peak into what’s coming next for Lauren Biel?
I’m working on Slaughter Park, a post apocalyptic Dark romance, and a post apocalyptic Dark romcom… and a secret project!
Oooo, I haven’t read much post apocalyptic stuff, so that’s exciting. Not as exciting as a secret project, I like secrets!
Do you have any signing events coming up? I’m hoping one day you may come to the UK for one that I will be able to attend 🙂
I have a signing in Orlando and Vegas upcoming! I have the full list on ig! But I would love to do the UK, I JUST NEED A PASSPORT! 😂
Imma start a petition to get you to get your passport haha.
If you could live in any of your books, which would it be and why?
Men of Mayhem and Vengeance…hard 😂😂. Worshipped by 4 lawless men? Yes please.
I get it, what’s not to like?
What’s something you wish you knew about being an author before you published?
How much marketing and social media presence you have to have. It’s exhausting.
I bet!
What comes to you first when starting a book, the plot or the characters?
Characters! My titles are almost always last. And such a struggle!
Who inspires you?
My husband. My mom. My dad even though he’s not here anymore. I just always wanted to make them proud…. So I wrote smut 😂😂
I’m sorry that your Dad is no longer here. I think he will be proud, smut and all.
And finally, what advice would you give to whomever is reading this? It does not have to be related to writing.
It doesn’t matter why or how you read, just open that next book 💜
I like that, unfortunately, sometimes in the book community you are made to feel like you aren’t classified as a reader unless you have read the classics, or if a book has no knowledge you can take from it. I think read what you want, when you want, as long as you’re having fun, then you do you, boo.
I want to say a big thank you to Lauren Biel for taking the time to do this interview.
If you want to know more about Lauren Biel and what books she has available, you can head to her website by clicking here. I will list below Lauren’s books, if you are interested.
