Meet Loretta Rogers

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Loretta Rogers a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Loretta, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

As a child, I was a daydreamer and very often got lost in imaginary worlds. Many times, this got me into trouble, especially during my school years. It wasn’t until years later that I learned I was a natural introvert. I prefer quiet over noise. I’m uncomfortable in large crowds. If I had to choose between going to a party or staying home with a good book, I’d choose the book.

Being an introvert serves me well, especially as a writer. I need silence to hear the voices of my characters, to visualize their surroundings, and to develop whatever crises they’re in. Even after thirty plus books, I still work best being the only person in the room.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a fourth generation Floridian, and a retired teacher. I admit to using writing as an excuse to avoid cleaning house. In my younger days, my pinto mare and I busted cattle out of the brush. I also trailer-trained horses and competed in a couple of 25-mile trail endurance rides. These days, I ride a rocking chair.

I am a published author. I’ve been with The Wild Rose Press since 2007. I’m not sure I have a particular brand. I write whatever idea pops into my head. However, all of my stories have a paranormal thread running through them. Aside from the fact that I get to be my own boss and go to work in my pjs, I enjoy writing because I get to live vicariously through my characters that are clever and fearless, but in real life I’m afraid of snakes and heights. Let’s face it; I wouldn’t last five minutes as a character in one of my books.

The thing I appreciate most is when readers accuse me of keeping them up all night turning the pages of one of my novels. I also love that I get paid to make up stuff. Other than being addicted to crossword puzzles, I enjoy working on my family genealogy, and traveling with my hubby. Which, by the way, we’ve been married sixty-two years.

Currently, book #6 and the last book in the series, “To Catch a Killer,” in my Doc Holliday Mystery series is set to release November 2024. After giving my brain a short vacation, I’ll begin working on another mystery series.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I’m certain every author would answer this question differently because we all have our own perspectives. For me, I draw from life experiences. Growing up in an abusive home environment, reading became my escapism, and without realizing it, through reading, I was cultivating a vast imagination–daydreams that took me outside of my home environment and into adventures where I was the heroine.

To answer the question for anyone desiring to write, let me say don’t be disappointed if you sit at your computer and the words don’t spew forth effortlessly. We all have those days when we stare at blank screens. The thing is, keep writing. Writers write. Next, read! If you gravitate toward a certain type of story, one of the best ways to begin writing is to read in that genre. Also, avoid falling in love with your words. Whether self-publishing or submitting to a literary agent, or a traditional publisher, a first draft is rarely, if ever, ready for submission. Think of the first draft as a masterpiece in the making. And, most importantly, attend writing conferences, workshops, and join a local writer’s group. Listen carefully to what other writers have to say because perhaps they have found a magic formula to becoming a successful author. Just remember that every writer is unique. There is no right or wrong way to approach your story idea.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

Due to a rare genetic anomaly, I recently lost the vision in my left eye. The emotional adjustment has been draining. I have had to give myself several swift kicks in the keister to keep from sliding into a quagmire of self-pity. One of the challenges I’ve faced is learning to drive with vision from one eye. The biggest challenge, and aggravation of becoming semi-visually impaired, is that my good eye gets tired, therefore, I’m not able to spend as much time writing as I’d like. I have thought about investing in the Dragon Home software, but I’m not quite there yet.

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