When I met Sasha Lauren on Facebook, I was confused. I thought she was an artist, first and foremost. Then I saw her post her books, and I wondered, ‘Who is this multi-talented person?’
I am going to let the interview unfold itself for you, because her words are spectacular and anything I might write to describe her wouldn’t do her justice. So without any preamble, here is Sasha Lauren.
What was it that made you decide you had a story to tell and to become an author? In tenth grade, my English teacher assigned us to write about being an inanimate object. In my imagination, I became the guitar I wrote about. This ignited my love for storytelling. My essay concluded with this, “Time also brought about the most significant incident in my life. The event was my stage debut, my chance to communicate the beauty of music to the world. As the dim lights began to brighten, my entire spine quivered with fear. For an instant, I went numb. Viewing the massive audience, I felt timid and weak. Then, I suddenly remembered a dream that I had had long ago in a small music shop. With a deep breath, I assembled all the power that I could as I witnessed my fantasy become a reality. There I was, the guitar that created the most impressive blues chords ever exposed to the world.”
Also, I was an actress for years. I read hundreds of plays and screenplays and studied film. I tried my hand at writing. My first play was terrible, but my first script, which is about Native American activist and political prisoner Leonard Peltier, showed promise.
As an author or writer, what sets you apart from others?
I write about serious topics with a blend of comedy, whimsey, and drama. My characters are creative or quirky people who think in innovative ways. I fill my books with emotion. I sometimes use poetic devices and poetry in my work. Dylan Thomas’ play Under Milk Wood has inspired me by its lyrical beauty. I aspire to write even more like Mr. Thomas someday.
You are also an artist. Tell us about that. How did you get started, and how would you describe your style? Do you see it adding to your writing in any way?
I visualize easily, which helps me cultivate images for art and writing. When I close my eyes and bring myself into a scene I’m writing, I am wholly transported there. Art stimulates my imagination and relaxes me. My artistic style is bright, bold, and spontaneous, as is my writing. I draw flowers, musicians, and women from different cultures around the world.
How do ideas for your stories present themselves? How do you know what story lines to follow and which to ignore?
Sometimes a story is generated by a slow burn regarding a societal concern or life experience. Other times, inspiration comes from a word, phrase, nature, song, painting, glance, scent, or anything. I nurture creativity. My inner editor is always on call to decide which story lines to follow. Usually, it’s obvious.
What genre do you write, and why?
I write character driven literary fiction. I like slice-of-life details mixed with explorations of how we adapt to what life gives us.
Besides writing and telling a good story, do you have any other talents?
I paint, draw, juggle clubs, and write articles about consumer safety. I used to be a massage, movement, and organizational-behavioral therapist. I’m a whiz with post-it notes.
If you were to name one or two books that you deem unforgettable and that had a major impact on you, what would they be, and why?
1) The Diary of a Young Girl, by Anne Frank. I first read this when I was eight. I read the book so often I felt like I was her. Her life story opened my eyes to the world. I visited the Annex where Anne and her family lived in Amsterdam. That visit gutted me.
2) The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. He’s the greatest dramatist of all time.
What authors do you read regularly? Why?
Steinbeck and Shakespeare. I love classic playwrights: Ibsen, Shaw, Chekov, Williams, Miller, Brecht, Strindberg, Stoppard, Wilde, O’Neil, Pinter, Hellman, Shephard, Wilson, Coward, Albee, Mamet, Osborne, and Thomas to name a few. I like stories about whistleblowers and justice. I’m reading Sensing Injustice; A Lawyer’s Life in the Battle for Change, by Michael E. Tigar.
If you were to have dinner with 5 well known individuals living or dead, who would they be and why?
1) Joe Hill, labor activist, songwriter, and member of the Industrial Workers of the World. I would love to get the whole story from him about Hilda and everything else.
2) Kenneth Branagh, actor, director, writer. I’m a longtime fan of his talent and wit.
3) William Shakespeare, bard. I’d finally find out if he’s a plotter or a pantser.
4) Orson Welles, actor, director, screenwriter, producer, brilliant non-conformist. Icon.
5) Linda Ronstadt, singer, song sculptress. I’d like another female besides me at the dinner party. Linda would bring grace, music, life experiences, and her beautiful laugh.
Chopin would be there to play waltzes and nocturnes for the first part of the night, then Linda and Joe Hill would lead us in song. The seating would be Joe, me, Branagh, Will, Orson, and Linda . If AliceBinnie, (who convinced her husband EdwardBinnie to manufacture Crayola crayons), strolled by, I’d invite her to join us. We’d have paper placemats to color on. After all Crayola has done for me, I at least owe Alice a dinner.
What is your writing routine? When you write, do you plan or outline ahead or are you a “pantser”?
I outline for articles. For fiction, I write spontaneously. As the story develops, I add plot points and keep notes. I set word count goals or write for a certain amount of time. I wrote The Paris Predicament by writing an hour daily before sunrise.
When writing, how much do you read? Do you read in or out of your genre?
When writing, I research constantly for my project. My search engine has some wild searches on it due to being an author, and I suppose just a curious person.
Is there something you set out to do, but somehow, it didn’t work out for you? (In writing, or something else you felt was important to you at the time?)
I have been successful in all endeavors except when derailed by say, a car accident, medical harm, or other plot twists. When that happens, I set new goals or get back to my goals if possible.
I set out to study classical theater in London without knowing anything about it. I walked into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and was told I would need prior training, theater experience, tuition, and do a remarkable audition to get chosen. I returned to the states, attended a theater academy in San Francisco, acted in many plays, and became a massage therapist to save up the money. It took seven years. I then auditioned for The Royal National Theatre programme and got cast.
What tips would you give to new or even experienced writers?
- Live a full life. Travel, have relationships, get to know a diverse group of people, read, watch films, study writing, literature, and film, study. Question everything.
- If you feel blocked, do something else. I do art, move, and enjoy nature and music.
- Take care of yourself: exercise, eat healthy food, sleep well.
- Hire an excellent polish editor for grammar. It will save time, money, stress.
How did you “teach” yourself to write, or did it just come naturally? What lessons would you pass on to others?
I learned about plays by studying acting and performing in theater. I studied Shakespeare in London; was part of a comedy improv troupe; did massage on filmsets for twenty years with top filmmakers who confided in and taught me. I read hundreds of screenplays. Took screenwriting’s classes at UCLA. Participated in Hollywood film writing groups. Attended Screenwriting Expos. I am always learning.
Work hard. Talent is cultivated. Write from your heart. Hook readers immediately. Transform your characters. Try using prompts. The Paris Predicament began with a picture. Final Lullaby was inspired by a word prompt. Find your people. Have fun.
How do you handle a negative critique?
I like honest, constructive feedback from people I trust, and kind words whenever it’s authentic. I don’t like negative critique – it hits me like seasickness. On Goodreads I look at the other books panned by the hit and run rater, (who doesn’t leave a review), and find peace if I see they rated my book the same as they rated classic books by my favorite authors. Otherwise, I must shake it off.
Is there a type of writing/genre that you find difficult to write? Why?
As a script doctor in Hollywood, I did page one rewrites of many genres. I don’t like horror or gore.
Writing articles about medical harm is difficult; there are many facts to include in a limited number of words, and the subject is heartbreaking and incites outrage.
How important are the elements of character, setting, and atmosphere to a story, and why?
An enhanced view of the character’s inner world is important to me, as are the ambiance and mood of a piece. I aim for my novels to be like independent, artistic films.
Do you see yourself in any of the characters you create? How/Why?
Yes. The main characters of screenplays and novels are me, but not me. I relate to them, but not agree with them on everything or look like them. They are me in parallel worlds.
Is there an unforgettable or memorable character that will not leave your head, either of your own creation or from a book you’ve read?
Anne Frank. Atticus Finch. The Little Prince. Joan of Arc (from both Shakespeare and Shaw).
Tell us about your most recent book, Final Lullaby. How did you come up with the concept?
Final Lullaby interweaves my experiences as a grief counselor and a patient safety educator interested in the right to die for those in untenable circumstances.
How did you come up with the title?
A few years ago, I wrote Lullaby, a series of vignettes about a grief hotline counselor who sang to callers in crisis to connect. I chose the title Final Lullaby based on the direction the expanded story went in.
From your book, who is your favorite character? Who is your least favorite character? Why?
Angela and Tucker are creative, curious, guilelessness, and kind. I love them. The arrogant drug abusing surgeon who coerces Tucker to use a medical device that is known to cause harm is unscrupulous. Boo hiss to him.
What thought would you like to leave us with?
A quote from Kurt Vonnegut. “Go into the arts. I’m not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.”
See, I told you! Multi-faceted or multi-talented doesn’t cover Sasha well, though it points to her talents. I hope you enjoyed the interview as much as I did. Check out her book, Final Lullaby using the links below.
Find Sasha and her books online:
Author Website
https://www.sashalaurenauthor.com
https://www.instagram.com/sasha_lauren_artist/
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sasha%20Lauren/author/B08CMCRS2S
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasha-lauren-6858684/
Author page on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/SashaLaurenAuthor
Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20504238.Sasha_Lauren
Final Lullaby on Amazon –
Final Lullaby on Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/final-lullaby-sasha-lauren/1143409841?ean=9781685132576
jrlewis85's Blog 
Great! She is a real interesting person, an outstand woman!
Congrats!
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