DLC: I'm honored to welcome author Laurie Bellesheim. Welcome Laurie. Why don't we start off with you introducing yourself to everyone?
Laurie: My name is Laurie Bellesheim. I was formally known as Laurie Rieger until 5-1/2 years ago when I married a terrific man and happily settled down. We have three wonderful children together and live in Southbury, Connecticut. I fill many roles. I am the parent of two preschoolers and a teenager, sometimes I’m the soccer mom, I’m a housewife and the family coordinator, I am an active boy scout parent and the Troop secretary, I coordinate and arrange mom’s night out at the preschool to help preserve others sanities, but on my ‘off’ times – I am an Author who loves to write! I belong to writers groups as well and most of my free-time is spent dedicated to my passion for the literary world.
DLC: You are one busy person! Tell us about your first book.
Laurie: My novel is titled, Surviving Emily. Surviving Emily is full of heartbreak and loss but ultimately hope. It is a compelling story that explores the meaning of everlasting friendship and the healing power of love.
Abigail Hooper and Stephen Sparks had never heard of Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy until one fatal morning in November when it crushed their hopes and dreams. Twelve years after the devastating loss of their dearest friend Emily, they find themselves still affected by the trauma.
Abigail, married and newly pregnant, helps others through her work for the Department of Children and Families. When a new client with epilepsy unexpectedly forces her to re-examine the past, Abigail realizes she’s the one who needs saving. Stephen has struggled emotionally, physically and spiritually after losing the love of his life, and the long-term effects of his grief have kept him from truly living and finding love again.
As the two search for redemption and the power to heal, their paths cross once again. Emily’s presence so long ago still has meaning in their own lives, teaching them the meaning of true friendship and what’s really important.
DLC: Sounds very emotional and moving. What was the major driving force that led you to write your story?
Laurie: Surviving Emily is based on my personal experience with Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), at the age of 18, when I lost a close friend to this silent killer. I wrote this story not only because it has great personal meaning to me, but also because I hope to help raise awareness about epilepsy as well as this deadly condition.
DLC: What do you hope readers will gain from reading your book?
DLC: What do you hope readers will gain from reading your book?
Laurie: For starters, I hope that readers will enjoy reading this and find it not only different from their usual read, but also entertaining. I also hope that readers will connect with the characters and possibly relate to the raw emotions that are portrayed.
DLC: What character would you most likely identify with?
DLC: What character would you most likely identify with?
Laurie: This question is easy! I mostly identify with the main female character, Abigail. Not only did I model her a bit after myself, but she experiences a tragedy in this story very similar to what I experienced long ago. In addition, Abigail is a DCF worker or social worker for the State Department of Children and Families. This is the same job I held just prior to having my two youngest children. Many of my own experiences were brought into this story.
DLC: What advice have you received that’s had the biggest impact on your writing?
DLC: What advice have you received that’s had the biggest impact on your writing?
Laurie: Some time ago I took a writers class on novel writing and the process of publishing or self-publishing. It was a night course held at a local school. I learned a lot of helpful things there but the one thing I took to heart and kept reminding myself was something my instructor said to me. She said “if you continuously stop in the middle of writing to go back and reread, edit, fix, and rewrite, you will never finish what you’ve started”. She was absolutely right! I was one of those people who just couldn’t finish because I kept going backwards rather than forward. Once I stopped myself from doing this and allowed myself to keep going till the end, I had much more success.
DLC: Other than finding time, what was your greatest challenge while writing your book?
DLC: Other than finding time, what was your greatest challenge while writing your book?
Laurie: Kids!!! It was hard to write while having small children bouncing and screaming all around me! My computer is also in a central location in the house and quiet time is very limited.
DLC: Are you working on a book now and if so tell us a little bit about it?
DLC: Are you working on a book now and if so tell us a little bit about it?
Laurie: I am working on another fiction novel. This one will be another women’s fiction piece but a little on the lighter side. It will also involve some of my previous experiences as a social worker. As it’s starting to come together, I see that it is also a bit of a love story.
DLC: Now for some fun questions. If you could meet any author, past or present, who would it be and why?
DLC: Now for some fun questions. If you could meet any author, past or present, who would it be and why?
Laurie: Edgar Allen Poe was a poet (does this count?), but I think he’d be pretty cool to meet. Other than this, I think Anita Shreve, Michele Richmond and Nicholas Sparks would be nice to meet too. As of now, their three of my most read and favorite authors.
DLC: If I were visiting from out of town and you took me to dinner, where would we go and what would you recommend I order?
DLC: If I were visiting from out of town and you took me to dinner, where would we go and what would you recommend I order?
Laurie: Hmm…tough question. I love going out to eat. I really love Italian food the best but you can find a good Italian restaurant anywhere. For something different and to show you around this neck of the woods, I might take you to Down the Hatch on Candlewood Lake in Brookfield CT. It’s about a ½ hour from where I live and it’s a great hang-out spot overlooking the water and the boats, very casual, but great food and drinks. Always crowded on the weekends but it’s a good crowd and lots of fun. On some nights they have entertainment but the best part is the view on their multiple decks. Most people enjoy some seafood or fried clams, but since I’m not a seafood eater, I recommend a big juicy cheeseburger!
DLC: Nothing like a good juicy cheeseburger! =) If your book could be a gum flavor what would it be?
DLC: Nothing like a good juicy cheeseburger! =) If your book could be a gum flavor what would it be?
Laurie: I’d have to say a flavor that started out as bitter but then turned into something sweet.
DLC: Where can people go to get more information about you and your book?
DLC: Where can people go to get more information about you and your book?
Laurie: My website is http://www.SurvivingEmily.com. Information about my book, my bio, and an excerpt can be found there. I can also be found on Amazon or Barnes and Noble!
Amazon link: http://amzn.to/pAbMVN. You can also find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook/Surviving.Emily.com or Twitter: http://twitter.com/LaBellesheim
Feel free to stop in!
Amazon link: http://amzn.to/pAbMVN. You can also find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook/Surviving.Emily.com or Twitter: http://twitter.com/LaBellesheim
Feel free to stop in!
DLC: Thank you so much Laurie for taking the time to do this interview with me. I pray you have great success with Surviving Emily.
Blessings,
Daniel L Carter
Author of The G-6 Chronicles