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Laura McNeill
- Oct 24, 2018
- 2 min
Backstory on Writing The World Breaks Everyone
I’m often asked how I created the storyline for my latest suspense novel, The World Breaks Everyone. I’m a huge fan of psychological drama and thrillers, so I wanted to write a twisty-turny book with a quick pace, a strong heroine, and lots of secrets. For me, writing a novel always begins with a character in trouble or facing a huge life dilemma. For TWBE, I kept picturing a teenage girl–in danger and on the To make things more complicated, both father and daughter had exper
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Laura McNeill
- Apr 25, 2016
- 3 min
Domestic Suspense, Deception, & the Dark Side of High School Football
At the heart of Sister Dear is the idea that one single decision can change a person’s life forever. That moment defines and shapes the future, molding and pushing one’s chosen journey to an entirely different path. Such is the case with Allie Marshall, the heroine of Sister Dear, who finds herself caught in a web of deceit after stumbling on the body of her town’s beloved high school football coach. Instead of running Just an hour later, the Thomas investigation falls square
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Laura McNeill
- Apr 22, 2016
- 1 min
Watch the Studio10 “Sister Dear” Interview
This week, I was fortunate enough to be a guest with Chasity Byrd on Studio 10/ FOXNews in Mobile, Ala. to talk about SISTER DEAR!
Books are available at: *Signed Copies* of SISTER DEAR @ Page & Palette Bookstore in Fairhope, Ala. Amazon Barnes and Noble Books A Million Christianbook.com Upcoming Events: Appearance @ Alabama Book Festival – Saturday, April 23rd @ 2 pm Appearance @ Sun Dog Books in Seaside – Sunday, April 24th @ noon – 4 pm xo, Laura #SisterDear #interview #b
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Laura McNeill
- Apr 19, 2016
- 1 min
Behind the Scenes of Sister Dear
My new book SISTER DEAR releases today!!! In the upcoming weeks, I’ll be attending Today, I thought it might be fun to offer a bit of background about how I chose the setting of the story. After considering several locations, I decided that coastal Georgia and the city of Brunswick were the perfect backdrop for SISTER DEAR, with its When the novel begins, single mother Allie Marshall is a As excited as Allie is, she remains nostalgic about her hometown and will miss Brunswick
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Laura McNeill
- Apr 18, 2016
- 2 min
Character Casting for “Sister Dear”
Although I think everyone sees characters differently in the novels we read, I’m often asked who I’ve pictured while writing Sister Dear. If the book was made into a movie, it’s also fun to think about which celebrities might play the main characters. Here’s my cast for Sister Dear: Allie Marshall – Jennifer Lawrence Jennifer Shrader Lawrence was born on August 15, 1990 in Louisville, Kentucky. Her big break came when she played Ree in Winter’s Bone (2010), which landed her A
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Laura McNeill
- Mar 8, 2016
- 2 min
The Story Behind “Sister Dear” (No Spoilers!)
It’s just six short weeks from the release of Sister Dear! I’m really excited to share Allie’s story with you. I hope that you find her journey compelling, challenging, and, ultimately, uplifting. Though Sister Dear centers on a woman accused of a brutal crime she didn’t commit … the story behind the story is a bit different … but just as heart-wrenching. Caught with a small amount of illegal drugs in her car, she and her friend were brought in front of a local judge and aske
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Laura McNeill
- Nov 11, 2015
- 3 min
Writer Wednesday: Divergent & The Case for the Semi-Happy Ending
I’ve just finished the first draft of my latest domestic suspense manuscript, and I’ll confess that getting to the end of those final few chapters was a daunting task! Months earlier, I’d brainstormed, outlined, and planned each chapter … only to completely change my mind about the ending 90% through the manuscript. The result, despite too little sleep, too much coffee, and a bit of panic, was a much improved ending—an ending that I hope readers will agree is a compelling, te
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Laura McNeill
- Oct 23, 2015
- 1 min
WYAM TV Interview: Writing, the Deep South, & Center of Gravity
I recently had the opportunity to talk with television personality Suzie Wiley at WYAM-TV on her show, Valley Happenings. The station broadcasts out of Decatur, Ala. and airs statewide. Wiley is quite a vivacious and enthusiastic host! She asked all sorts of questions about writing, the Deep South, Center of Gravity, and my new novel, Sister Dear (being published by HarperCollins/Thomas Nelson on April 19th, 2016). Here’s the first part of the interview, which runs just over
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Laura McNeill
- Jul 19, 2015
- 1 min
Launch Week: Center of Gravity
I’m humbled by the amount of well-wishes I’ve received from friends and readers since release day (and before!). The response to Center of Gravity has been wonderful. Since July 14th, I’ve been on the road … stopping at The Book Shoppe in Medina, New York Lift Bridge Book Shop in Brockport, New York Long’s Cards & Books in Penn Yan, NY Barnes & Noble in Albany, New York and Barnes & Noble in Manchester, New Hampshire! Right now, I’m on a plane to Charlotte, North Carolina for
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Laura McNeill
- Jul 13, 2015
- 1 min
Facebook Launch Party July 14 @ 6 pm CT
Please join me for the Center of Gravity Facebook Launch Party, hosted by Loving the Book Launch Party girls. Come find out more about the book, play games, participate in Q & A with me, and win prizes! If you already have an invite, join us here: Facebook Launch for Center of Gravity If you NEED an invite, please email me at laura@lauramcneill.com!!!! Everyone Welcome! Tuesday, July 14th Event time:
4:00 PM – PST
5:00 PM – MST
6:00 PM – CST
7:00 PM – EST Hope you can j
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Laura McNeill
- May 7, 2015
- 2 min
Reader Feature: 20 Questions with Hailey Fish
Today, I’d like to introduce you to fabulous reader and blogger Hailey Fish. She’s been a joy to get to know, always has something positive to say about other people, and loves to talk about books! On her website, she has two really awesome lists of authors she’s met and authors she’d like to meet! Hailey has met Jane Green, Karin Slaughter, Tess Gerritsen, Charlaine Harris, Lee Child, and many more! She would like to meet Stephen King, Wally Lamb, Jodi Picoult, Kristin Hanna
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Laura McNeill
- Apr 30, 2015
- 1 min
Reader Spotlight: Ron Wright
Today, I want to introduce you to my friend and trusted beta reader, Ron Wright! Ron and I met on Facebook several years ago and connected over a mutual love of books! The book is a personal and humorous account of his month-long trip to Japan to reconnect with his older son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. Here’s the 411 on Ron: Name: Ron Wright Hometown: Oxford, OH Where you live now: Port Orchard, WA Family members: Sue, David (and a bunch who no longer live with us)…
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Laura McNeill
- Apr 20, 2015
- 1 min
Book Titles – The Good, The Bad, & The Beautiful
I love books, but I am especially in love with book titles. The best novel titles are evocative and powerful. A great book title can also grab attention, illustrate the book’s theme, and serve as a symbol for a key character or plot point. A few that come to mind from my own shelves include: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (Lisbeth is such a remarkable main character; the dragon tattoo defines her fiery and fierce nature) Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (A tight,
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Laura McNeill
- Apr 16, 2015
- 2 min
Reader Spotlight: Angie Young
On Thursdays, I’ll be introducing everyone to my favorite reader friends. Today, for my very first “Reader Spotlight,” I’d like you to meet Angie Young, a very talented blogger and avid reader from Tennessee! I’m thrilled that she agreed to step into the spotlight. Here’s a little more about Angie: 2. Hometown: Memphis, TN 3. Where you live now: Big Sandy, TN 4. Family members: Husband, Mark. 2 sons, Joey and Cody 5. How did we meet?: Online during a book tour for Pie
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Laura McNeill
- Apr 6, 2015
- 1 min
Pen Names: Lauren Clark to Laura McNeill
I’m often asked why I decided to use a pen name (Lauren Clark) when I began writing. And now that Center of Gravity is being published by Harper Collins July 14th, 2015, I’m often asked why I’m going back to my real name (Laura McNeill) for this release! The answers are simple … and the latter is kind of amusing! Lauren Clark Low and behold, there was another author who shared my (**at the time, married) name, but her specialty was erotica! Though erotica is a very popular ge
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