WELCOME laura henning!
So glad you could pop in and share a little about yourself and your writing.
1. What is the theme of the book you are working on?
My book is not yet out. The soon to be released book is a ya/ na romance set in a funeral 
parlour. Dead Keen explores first jobs, first boyfriends and first bodies. It explores the bonds of female friendship in adversity and the true meaning of someone having your back.
My current WIP is about finding your inner strength. All my books have characters who are unapologetically themselves.
2. What was/is one of the hardest things about writing one of your books/current manuscript? (Did you or do you want to throw it into the fire like frodo?)
My first (soon to be released) book Dead Keen is set in a funeral parlour. At the beginning I thought, “this will be really funny.” I had no idea how many people I would have to kill. Finding ways for them to die and families to grieve for them was a challenge. There were a few very bad days at the office, like typing “house fire death, smoke or flame?” into Google. Do not look at the images.
3. Because everyone always wants to know are you a Panster or Plotter?
Both. Dead Keen was a planned piece. It’s my first full length work and I needed a security blanket.
Lily, my new manuscript started with an image of someone wearing red shoes in a hospital and grew from there. I do have a plan but only in my head and if she takes a turn somewhere else I’m just along for the ride.
4. How important are reviews to you? Do you get upset when they aren’t favourable? (Like stalk the reviewer and wish they get infested with a thousand fleas.)
I don’t have any reviews yet. My plan is very grass roots and I suspect good reviews will be crucial. Obviously you want people to like your work but once you publish, it has a life of it’s own. I don’t take criticism personally. I got used to it a uni. (We all need thick skin in this business.)
5. How do you market your books? (Stand at the top of a building and shout buy my book?) Any events you want the reader to know about e.g. Coming appearances or signing?
I’m starting a new enterprise as a motivational speaker and I’m hoping this will also help with my writing. You never know when serendipity will give you a boost. (This sounds so exciting and yes good old serendipity might line things up nicely.)
But I won’t tell people to buy the book, who doesn’t want a sneak peak at the lives inside a funeral home?
6. Social Media – Love it or hate it? Where do you hang out the most? Any tips to share?
Love to hate it. I can’t instagram, my daggy camera style is not up to it. Also why would anyone want to see my breakfast? (Sorry, I’m guilty of this…I love food and I am a total foodie :D)
I’m on Facebook which is great because you can have conversations and my friends are all over the place. I have twitter but it is exclusively in an attempt to be featured on Huffington Post’s 20 Funniest Tweets from Women. (Oh I love funny tweets. Keep tweeting.)
7. What is your favourite motivational phrase or positive saying?
I have “Just write a shitty 1st draft” above my computer screen. I’m not sure how motivational that is but it works on the slow days. My personal philosophy is “feel the fear and do it anyway”. This probably explains how I got into life modelling 🙂
If you want to know more about Laura you can find her here;
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Laura-Henning-350045135096833/?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laladancinggirl
