L.A.Mitchell-author

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L.A. Mitchell

Romance...Out of Time

A former English teacher and Colorado native, L.A. traded in her editing pen for a journal eight years ago when students in her writing workshop challenged her to create stories along with them. After a ghost moved into her Texas residence, her tales took on a paranormal edge. She has served on the board of the Magnolia State Romance Writers as President and Newsletter Editor and the North Texas Romance Writers of America board as Membership Secretary.

Her first work, a young adult novel set aboard the Titanic, sank about as fast as the ocean liner when she finished her final chapter the month she learned the plotline of the upcoming blockbuster movie. Rich girl, steerage boy. Enough said.

Her fascination with history continued into her next book, a dark love story set against the turmoil of colonial Massachusetts in the 1680s.

Her most recent book, Chasing Midnight, encompasses her fascination with time theory, conspiracies and the quest for a happily ever after in dimensions that can sometimes seem worlds apart.

Visit her blog to read up on the latest time travel market news and her thoughts on the sometimes blurry line between science and paranormal.

Frequently Asked Questions ::

Q :: How do you get your ideas?

A :: Most of my ideas, especially the science-fiction/time travel twists, come from reading non-fiction. Books on quantum theory are notoriously dry, but even Stephen Hawking was able to breathe life into physics. Books like "Real-Life X-files: Investigating the Paranormal" by Joe Nickell attempts to explain other-worldly phenomenon from a scientific angle. Popular science magazines and journals always contain articles on the cutting edge of what's possible.

Q :: How did you get the idea for Chasing Midnight?

A :: I had seen an old X-files episode about a man accused of murdering his wife that had been told in the framework of one week in reverse narration. I also loved the movie Memento and was intrigued by the idea of a love story told this way. Each day Beck travels backward in time, he falls more in love with Emma, but to her, he's a stranger. It's a strong emotional barrier that presented a unique challenge.

Q :: How do you write?

A :: I'm a definite plotter. Keeping my highly organized left brain tangled in lists and post-its frees my creative side to produce. After a very rough, lightening-fast first draft, which allows me to understand the scope and magnitude of the story, I write a meditative draft at a much slower pace to flesh out characters and plot threads. Usually during this draft, I'm able to see themes emerge, symbolism resonating through the novel and paint better, more unique imagery.

Have a question? Email it here for inclusion in future updates.

Top Five Time Travel Destinations

(if theories in her book proved possible)::

1. The Last Supper

2. The American West

3. Colonial America

4. Fourteenth Century--Scotland

5. American Revolution

blog :: photos :: contact :: links

No portion of this website may be duplicated

Hometown :: Denver, Colorado

Professional Associations ::

~ Romance Writers of America®

~RWA®-PRO communications committee

~ North Texas RWA

~ Golden Heart Network

~ Elements of RWA

Favorite Contemporary Author :: Peter Abrahams

Favorite Books :: Crawlspace by Herbert Lieberman, Hummingbird by LaVyrle Spencer

Favorite Movies :: Donnie Darko, Memento, Somewhere In Time

Awards/Nominations

2008

1st Place Winner ~ Best Paranormal

"The Night Caller"

Great Expectations Contest

2007

RWA® Golden Heart Nominee

"Chasing Midnight"

Novel with Strong Romantic Elements

2006

1st Place Winner ~ Best Paranormal

"Chasing Midnight"

Southern Heat Contest

East Texas Chapter RWA®