Awaken by Lauren Wagner

Posted: March 10, 2022/By: achristay@aol.com

Please welcome Lauren Wagner author of Awaken

Lauren Wagner will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Awaken

byLauren Wagner

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GENRE: Speculative Fiction

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INTERVIEW:

What or who inspired you to start writing?

My sister was the one who inspired me to start writing. I had been going through some emotionally trying times when she bought me a journal. At first, it was just a place to jot down my thoughts and explore unwanted emotions. But then it became a place for me to daydream. I had always been good at daydreaming as a child, and my imagination was very easily sparked. The journal became my way to deal with the hardships of life, and the daydreams became stories that needed more than just a moment in time.

How did you come up with ideas for your books?

Most of my writing ideas are sparked from dreams—some in my wake, others in my sleep. A single moment captures an image in my brain and becomes a moment in a story. Typically, it’s a scene that finds its way into the middle of a manuscript, and I end up scrambling with my thoughts to fit a story out of that one single moment.

What expertise did you bring to your writing?

Aside from general education courses in school, I brought absolutely no formal expertise to my writing, but I love to read. I can get so caught up in a book that the world around me completely disappears. Other people’s books are my classroom.

What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?

If I could be any character in my book, I would easily choose Natalia. She represents total selflessness, willing to do whatever it takes to save humanity. But she is also human, filled with raw ambition and bravery. She sings beautifully, can draw meticulously, and has a great wardrobe. Although slightly naive towards the modern ways of the world, she knows it, and that knowledge never puts a constraint on her values.

When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?

My husband was the one who first encouraged me to start submitting my work. I had half a manuscript written when he started pushing me to finish it, and as soon as I finished it, he pushed me to give it to the world. I am so glad I listened to him.

What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)

The best advice I ever received came to me during an author visit at an elementary school. The guest speaker talked about how many rejections he had received before his first yes, which placed him on a bestseller list. His message? Don’t give up.

The worst advice I ever got? Someone told me once to stop trying so hard and “just publish it already.” Trust me- if authors could snap their fingers and make it happen that quickly, I am sure we would have trillions of more books on our shelves.

Do you outline your books or just start writing?

I do not outline my books. I attempted it once but ended up going back to my outline and redoing it to match what I had written in the manuscript. I tend to “just write.” I like to see where the story takes me.

Do you outline your books or just start writing?

My all-time favorite book is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. The story’s themes lay between giving and taking, growing up, growing old, and nevertheless parenting. The perspective reminds us we will do anything for those we love.

What is your favorite reality show?

My favorite TV show is Expedition Unknown. In this series, Josh Gates, an archeologist/explorer, travels from place to place worldwide searching for ancient lost artifacts. I absolutely love it.

Anything else you might want to add?

Something else you might not know? I got rejected 122 times before my manuscript was accepted for publication. The query trenches are challenging and complex, and I wanted to give up time and time again. But a dream is a dream. You can’t give up on a dream just because it’s hard. If your dreams aren’t worth fighting for…what are?

BLURB:

Natalia has embraced the choice of her people. She is honored to have been chosen as their human sacrifice and will surrender her life to the Gods. She awaits the call of her people for that final moment, living a life of solitude until it’s time. But then her death is stolen from her—she is kidnapped by her own guards and forced into an eternal slumber.

Hundreds of years later—now—Natalia is woken in a world that’s completely unfamiliar. The archaeological team was not looking for her. They were looking for Estancia, the lost city of gold, and Natalia agrees to guide them.

While they journey through the treacherous jungles of Argentina, Natalia stumbles upon the alarming truth of her past. Her life’s prophecy must be fulfilled to restore balance to her people, but only she can decide whether that balance is worth her death.

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EXCERPT:

They groomed me as a child. They taught me how to look, how to listen, and even how to die. They prepared me to live entirely for others. Die for others. I am destined to be the queen of Estancia, to live in a noble house filled with my own personal court and guards sworn to protect me at all costs, right until the moment of my death. Even as they tear me from my bed in the dark of night, I must remember this is their purpose, just as much as it is mine.

“May I say goodbye to my father?” The confidence in my voice covers the fear trembling in my gut.

“No, milady. There is no time.”

The guard throws a musty cloak over my soft linen nightclothes. The stale smell overpowers the eucalyptus of the lotions on my skin, making my eyes water in disgust. I feel no better than a horse being led by the reigns.

I grip my golden slippers and run out of the house. My bare feet touch the wood of the floor and memorize the soft pitter-patter that vibrates in response. The same guard places me on top of the nearest horse. Black as midnight, silky as the hidden clothes under my cloak. My hands fumble for the reins as I lean forward and fight for my balance. I am not accustomed to riding horses.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Lauren Wagner’s love for reading started as a young adult after discovering her town’s public library. After carrying out piles of books at a time, and re-reading them over and over again, she discovered her love for writing. She writes fantasy and science fiction as well as post-it notes about her future stories. Awakenis her debut novel.

She grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago where she presently resides with her husband and two children. She currently teaches upper elementary students to love and obsess over written works of art.

Amazon buy link:https://www.amazon.com/Awaken-Lauren-Wagner-ebook/dp/B09RHCBRYP/ref=sr_1_1