Chat Log: Lyn Lawrence

September 3rd, 2004 Chat with Lyn Lawrence

22:19:21 [Lainie] Welcome to our Word Museum chat. Our special guest tonight is Lyn Lawrence.

 

22:19:23 [Lainie] Lyn Lawrence lives in Vivian, Louisiana with her husband of forty-one years. They are

 

22:19:36 [Lainie] the parents of six children. She loves to sing, play piano, and sew. Swimming is her

 

22:19:44 [Lainie] favorite exercise. Naturally she loves reading and writing and traveling is also one of her favorite things.

 

22:20:06 [Lainie] Lyn is offering door prizes of heart jewelry of various types

 

22:20:27 [Lainie] Lyn’s new books is WEB OF DREAMS

 

22:20:45 [Lainie] published by Publisher: Amber Quill Press (August 2003)

 

22:21:15 [Lainie] Here’s a blurb of Lyn’s book to peak your interest. Dana’s web of dreams intertwines with cutting edge cell research by her husband, Max, a scientist gone mad. Mad enough to believe he can control the world and his wife with a mind-altering drug.

 

22:21:26 [Lainie] Ben Carter interfaces with Dana’s web of dreams, never imagining he will be drawn into a web of deceit, danger and love he never imagined possible.

 

22:21:54 [Lainie] To read the excerpt visit Amber Quill at: http://amberquill.com/excerpt_WebDreams.html

 

22:22:13 [Lainie] Lyn also wrote: STONE JUSTICE

 

22:22:29 [Lainie] Stone Justice is the true story of the first and only woman in Louisiana history to be convicted and executed in the electric chair. The screenplay is the adaptation of the novel by the same name written by Debi McMartin and Lyn Morgan.

 

22:22:37 [Lainie] How exciting! A screenplay.

22:22:59 [Lainie] To read an excerpt of Stone Justice, please visit this site: http://www.1stbooks.com/cgi-bin/1st?partner~1st

 

22:23:00 [Glenda] awesome!

 

22:23:24 [Evelyn] Yep…we actually wrote the screenplay first.

 

22:23:41 [Lainie] We usually do protocol but since this is an intimate group at the moment, we’ll forego that until the crowd shows up

 

22:23:53 [Lainie] then I’ll crack my whip and let you know we’ll go into protocol

 

22:24:06 [Lainie] Lyn, please tell us about yourself, your writing, your books, and your screenplay. ga

 

22:24:34 [Evelyn] I’m glad to be here tonight. Right now I’m writing another script

 

22:25:05 [Lainie] Wow! You’re a dynamo. How wonderful!

 

22:25:15 [Evelyn] It’s also based on a true story and involves a court case.

 

22:25:41 [Evelyn] Thanks…But I don’t feel like a dynamo.

 

22:26:21 [Glenda] well, your writing sounds VERY interesting!

 

22:26:24 [Evelyn] I just sold out of Web of Dreams and For the Weekend

 

22:26:47 [Moe] Excellent, congratulations.

 

22:26:54 [Evelyn] FTW came out in May

 

22:27:02 [Lainie] Congrats!

 

22:27:20 [Glenda] I’m a Robin Cook fan. Web of Dreams sounds like it would fit me to a t.

 

22:27:33 [Evelyn] I hope maybe more people are hearing about my books.

 

22:28:05 [Evelyn] Web of Dreams is a Robin Cook type of book. Did you read his last one…

 

22:28:12 [Glenda] How long have you been writing?

 

22:28:31 [Moe] brb

 

22:28:36 [Glenda] Haven’t read Cook’s last one yet.

 

22:28:48 [Evelyn] Well I could say all my life, but novels since 1993

 

22:29:14 [Lainie] ten years is quite a long time

 

22:29:22 [Evelyn] On Cook’s last one, I was disappointed with the ending.

 

22:29:38 Beth enters this room

 

22:29:43 EJ enters this room

 

22:29:45 [Glenda] oh no!

 

22:30:01 [Evelyn] Hi Beth and EJ…

 

22:30:08 [Beth] Hello!

 

22:30:10 [Glenda] Where is Vivian LA? I’m New Orleans born. Live in Tupelo,MS now.

 

22:30:11 [Moe] Hi Beth

 

22:30:14 [Moe] EJ

 

22:30:16 [Glenda] hi beth!

 

22:30:29 [Moe] ! We’re talking to Lyn Lawrence.

 

22:30:44 [Evelyn] Vivian is in the very corner of the northwest side of LA

 

22:30:46 [Lainie] Hi Beth and EJ

 

22:30:58 [Lainie] close to Texas then?

 

22:31:01 [Moe] You might be able to scroll back and see what has been said the last few minutes, to catch

up.

 

22:31:10 [Evelyn] I’m 5 miles from Texas, 10 from Arkansas

 

22:31:47 [Lainie] We’re chatting with Lyn Lawrence, author of Web of Dreams and Stone Justice

 

22:31:52 [Lainie] I’d say that was close

 

22:32:07 [Evelyn] Now Tupelo, I think, is Elvis’ birthplace.

 

22:32:26 [Glenda] Yes, it is.

 

22:33:07 [Evelyn] !I like Elvis.

 

22:33:44 [Evelyn] For The Weekend is what I call my Elvis book.

 

22:33:52 [Beth] ?

 

22:34:04 [Moe] Jump in Beth

 

22:34:19 [Glenda] I was always into The Beatles. I appreciate Elvis more now.

 

22:34:20 [Moe] Since it is a small group we are leaving the discussion open

 

22:34:36 [Beth] thanks–Lyn, at what point in your drafts do you know a book is going to work?

 

22:34:55 [Lainie] I love both Elvis and the Beatles – my all time favorites

 

22:35:02 [Moe] I was hoping you were going to ask that.

 

22:35:18 [Evelyn] Oh my goodness…could I say I’m almost never sure the book will work.

 

22:35:29 [Beth] that is reassuring

 

22:35:33 [Beth] I’m at that point

 

22:35:38 BettyD enters this room

 

22:35:46 [Beth] what do you do, just persevere? refocus?

 

22:35:51 [Evelyn] I do outlines but things happen that I don’t expect

 

22:35:52 [Moe] How many drafts do you think you did before WOD went to press?

 

22:35:56 [Moe] Hi Betty!!

 

22:36:01 [Glenda] hi Betty!

 

22:36:05 [BettyD] hey Moe

 

22:36:06 [Evelyn] Is that what happened to you Beth?

 

22:36:10 [BettyD] how’s it been?

 

22:36:22 [Beth] definitely

 

22:36:38 [Evelyn] Drafts of WOD…before it went to press…6 or 7

 

22:36:46 [Moe] Good. We are having a open discussion with author Lyn Lawrence.

 

22:36:52 [Lainie] Hi Betty!

 

22:37:04 [Evelyn] And Beth, I’m stuck on a thriller right now.

 

22:37:16 [Lainie] Lyn is the author of Web of Dreams and Stone Justice

 

22:37:49 [Glenda] Anything in your work background that sort of gave you the idea for Web of Dreams

and/or Stone Justice?

 

22:38:33 [Evelyn] Not really my work background, but I have always been for the underdog.

 

22:39:01 [Evelyn] In Stone Justice, Toni Jo never gets a chance. But that was true

 

22:39:15 [Evelyn] I couldn’t change that…

 

22:39:32 [Evelyn] In WOD, Dana grabs her chance and takes it.

 

22:40:07 [Evelyn] I like justice, stone justice, real justice or poetic. <G>

 

22:40:30 [Glenda] lol

 

22:41:51 [Glenda] Do you have any favorite authors?

 

22:42:09 [Evelyn] Wow, I see something Beth said way back about refocusing.

 

22:42:11 [Moe] Has everyone had their questions answered so far? Did we miss anybody?

 

22:42:15 [KarenT] Lyn, earlier you said you’re almost never sure a book will work out…do you do a lot of rewrites, then? Or is it pretty set the first time through

 

22:42:49 [Evelyn] I edit constantly.

 

22:43:05 [Evelyn] Maybe that’s bad, but it’s the way I write.

 

22:43:27 [Beth] oh, good, me too!

 

22:43:31 [BettyD] the two books seem so dramatically different – was it difficult to “switch gears”?

 

22:43:37 [Beth] otherwise it’s a hopeless tangle

 

22:43:37 [Evelyn] The new script is 17 pages done and I’ve just been over it

 

22:43:49 [Evelyn] for the third time.

 

22:44:16 [Evelyn] Sometimes I go through my plot before I go to sleep.

 

22:44:33 [Evelyn] Sometimes I have to get back up and write.

 

22:45:27 [Lainie] only 17 pages? is that normal length for a script?

 

22:45:49 [Evelyn] That’s almost to the first plot point…<G>

 

22:45:59 [Evelyn] I need 120 pages

 

22:46:14 [Evelyn] So I’m not really to the first plot point

 

22:46:31 [Evelyn] But I know the script will work because it’s true.

 

22:46:59 [Beth] true, as in not sparing yourself, writing from the gut?

 

22:47:37 [Evelyn] No, this is a true story, in fact breaking news story.

 

22:47:55 [Beth] Oh, LOL

 

22:47:56 [Beth] sorry

 

22:48:24 [Evelyn] Well, I really don’t know the very end yet…

 

22:48:26 [Lainie] what kind of permission, if any, do you need to write a true story that’s not happening to you?

 

22:48:45 [Evelyn] But I think it’s going to be good for lots of people.

 

22:49:10 [Evelyn] In this case, we were asked (Deborah M and I) to write it.

 

22:49:31 [Evelyn] So we have exclusive rights to it.

 

22:49:54 [Evelyn] I see Betty asked about switching gears so let me say

 

22:50:16 [Evelyn] Writing true stories is easier in a way and harder, too.

 

22:50:31 [Evelyn] Writing fiction is like fun.

 

22:50:52 EJ enters this room

 

22:50:58 [Evelyn] True stories have to touch you and sometimes they are hard to write.

 

22:51:07 carolyn enters this room

 

22:51:18 [Evelyn] But they grab you and you have to write them.

 

22:51:32 [EJ] I apologize for being late…I’ve been arguing with my isp, so if I disappear, I’m sorry!

 

22:51:41 [Moe] Hi Carolyn. We are chatting with Author Lyn Lawrence

 

22:51:55 [Beth] hi, Carolyn!

 

22:51:58 [Moe] No problem EJ. Glad you could make it back.

 

22:52:00 [Evelyn] I have three neat prizes…how do we do this part?

 

22:52:19 [carolyn] Hi Lyn

 

22:52:24 [Moe] Laine will draw the names for you.

 

22:52:36 [Evelyn] Hi Carolyn and EJ again.

 

22:52:37 [BettyD] thanks for your answer, Lyn

 

22:52:53 [Beth] yes, good input

 

22:53:16 [Lainie] is it time to draw?

 

22:53:17 [Evelyn] Oh thanks, and I’m so glad you’re all here.

 

22:53:34 [Evelyn] I was afraid nobody would come.

 

22:53:49 [Glenda] Lyn, where can one buy your books?

 

22:53:50 [carolyn] Lyn, I’m curious about writing a legaleze romance. My library has all the information I

need to do the research, how would you go about that?

 

22:53:52 [Lainie] we love you Lyn, so of course we came

 

22:54:06 [BettyD] with Moe in charge?

 

22:54:12 [BettyD] who’d dare miss it?

 

22:54:31 [Evelyn] Buy my books…at Booksurge.com or at Amber Quill

 

22:55:15 [Evelyn] Research for Carolyn…SJ we went to the courthouse.

 

22:55:31 [Evelyn] There were 5 books of trial transcripts.

 

22:55:56 [Evelyn] We copied them longhand and they grabbed us by the heart.

 

22:56:14 [Evelyn] Toni Jo did not have a fair trial.

 

22:56:35 [Evelyn] Oh and watch The Practice <g>

 

22:56:51 [Evelyn] Or an old movie like Anatomy of a Murder

 

22:57:24 [Lainie] they let the public see and handle trial transcripts?

 

22:57:27 [Evelyn] Or Perry Mason

 

22:57:29 [carolyn] Sounds good. I do watch The Practice. For some reason

 

22:57:30 [Lainie] is it after so many years? or anytime?

 

22:57:44 [carolyn] I didn’t realize there would be transcripts available.

 

22:57:55 [Evelyn] Trial transcripts are public documents and have to be available to the public.

 

22:58:14 [Beth] that’s good to know

 

22:58:20 [carolyn] At the library, or?

 

22:58:48 [Evelyn] Very interesting reading..only at the courthouse where the trial was held.

 

22:59:12 [carolyn] And where in the courthouse would I obtain them?

 

22:59:13 [Evelyn] There were also two college students who did papers

 

22:59:32 [Evelyn] On the Toni Jo murder trial. We read their papers.

 

22:59:49 [Evelyn] They were at the college libraries.

 

23:00:25 [Evelyn] Lainie, please draw a name.

 

23:00:29 [carolyn] thank you for the information.

 

23:00:31 [Glenda] Did you get to interview any of the trial attorneys?

 

23:00:40 [Evelyn] I think our time is almost gone.

 

23:01:05 [Evelyn] We didn’t intervies any attorneys but we did interview her priest.

 

23:01:26 [Evelyn] He’s 90 years old….the murder happened in 1940

 

23:01:56 [Moe] Laine?

 

23:01:59 [Lainie] are you ready for me to start drawing names for the door prizes yet? let me know when

 

23:02:05 [carolyn] And, what title did you give this book and can we find it at BookSurge?

 

23:02:15 [Evelyn] Carolyn, check the archives at the courthouse

 

23:02:37 [Lainie] I didn’t see that message. sorry

 

23:02:40 [Lainie] drum roll please

 

23:02:41 [carolyn] Thanks, I’ll do that.

 

23:02:44 [Evelyn] Stone Justice is at 1st Books.com or Amazon.com

 

23:02:56 [Lainie] and the first winner is…..

 

23:03:00 [Lainie] Karen T!

 

23:03:01 [Glenda] rat-a-tat-tat. Clash!

 

23:03:13 [Glenda] congrats to Karen!!!!!

 

23:03:19 [BettyD] bah rum pah bum pah pah

 

23:03:29 [Lainie] And our second winner is….

 

23:03:35 [Moe] Boom-bang

 

23:03:36 [Lainie] we’re going for 3 winners tonight, right?

 

23:03:38 [Moe]

 

23:03:43 [Evelyn] Karen T. gets three toe rings …I hope you like them

 

23:03:45 [KarenT] Wow. Thanks. It’s my luck month. Last week, I won Pat Rasey’s drawing!

 

23:03:50 [Lainie] Carolyn!

 

23:03:51 [Moe]

 

23:03:59 [Lainie] Congratulations Karen and Carolyn

 

23:04:09 [carolyn] Wow, thanks.

 

23:04:11 [Glenda] Good for you Karen!

 

23:04:13 [Lainie] Am I to draw one more lucky winner?

 

23:04:19 [EJ] Big congrats to the winners!

 

23:04:20 [Evelyn] Carolyn gets a heart pendant.

 

23:04:25 [Glenda] Congrats to Carolyn!!!!!!

 

23:04:36 [Evelyn] Yes, please

 

23:04:43 [carolyn] Thank you very much.

 

23:04:50 [Lainie] okay

 

23:04:55 [Lainie] let me stir up the names really well

 

23:05:02 [Lainie] drum roll again please

 

23:05:11 [Lainie] and the third and final winner is….

 

23:05:12 [Glenda] Stir and shake ’em!

 

23:05:32 [Lainie] shaking and stirring hard

 

23:05:38 [Lainie] Beth!

 

23:05:44 [Lainie] Yeah Beth! Congratulations

 

23:05:50 [Evelyn] For a heart bangle bracelet…yay, Beth

 

23:05:50 [Moe] Will the winners please send your mailing address to Lyn at EMo7209900@aol.com

 

23:05:52 [Glenda] Congrats to Beth!!!!!

 

23:05:57 [EJ] And congrats to Beth, too!

 

23:06:01 [Beth] thanks very much!

 

23:06:01 [Lainie] Lyn, should they send their names and email addresses to you? GMTA

 

23:06:02 [Lainie] good

 

23:06:04 [Moe] so she can sen you your gifts.

 

23:06:07 [BettyD] congrats to all the winners!

 

23:06:11 [Glenda] Cool prizes!

 

23:06:31 [Lainie] Please give us your website url again Lyn as this will be logged and in case anyone present

now missed it earlier

 

23:06:39 [Glenda] Great chat! Can’t wait to read your books Lyn!

 

23:06:40 [Evelyn] Thank you everybody so much. Yes, I need their names.

 

23:06:42 [Lainie] We want everyone to be able to check out your fabulous books

 

23:06:58 [Evelyn] http://www.lynlawrence.net

 

23:07:20 [Moe] Thank you for being our guest chatter Lyn.

 

23:07:27 [Glenda] I just bookmarked it.

 

23:07:28 KarenT exits from this room

 

23:07:39 [Beth] thanks very much!

 

23:07:41 [Moe] And thank you everyone else for attending.

 

23:07:43 [Evelyn] Thank you for having me.

Lori Soard started Word Museum in 1997. She’s a published author and has written thousands of articles over the years for newspapers, magazines and online. She has a PhD in Journalism and lives in Southern Indiana with her husband. They have two grown daughters, both animal lovers their house is always filled with pets.

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