Fandom Monthly Magazine: Author interview & giveaway: Chynna Laird

Some answers are found far beneath the surface… Sixteen-year-old Freesia Worth has a mystery to solve—the disappearance of her mother at their family lake house. Her traumatized sister Sage hasn't said a word ever since that day. After almost a year, Detective Barry Cuaco has found nothing but frustrating dead ends. Soon he'll have to let the case go. But Freesia isn’t making it easy for him. She needs answers. Now. With the help of her secret crush, Rick, and a mysterious Goth girl named Mizu, Freesia learns about an ancient Native legend and a man known as the Watcher of the Lake. Will Freesia finally uncover the truth? Or will the lake keep its secrets far beneath the dark water?

Chynna Laird is a mother of four, a freelance writer and an award-winning author. Her passion is helping children and families living with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and other special needs. She’s authored a children’s book, two memoirs, a Young Adult novella, a Young Adult paranormal/suspense novel, a New Adult contemporary novel and an adult suspense/thriller.
Website:
www.chynnalairdauthor.ca

FMM: When did you realize that writing was a profession that you wanted to pursue?

CL: I've actually been interested in books and writing as long as I can remember. But one particular experience hinted to me that writing was what I was meant to do. When I was in Grade Four, we had a publisher come to our classroom to give us the 'inside scoop' of the book world. Near the end of the visit, we actually got to create our very own books! We wrote our stories, did our illustrations and created our own covers. (Mine was called 'Super Bug'. It was all about a little but with super powers who met his match with a size 13 tennis shoe.) The most exciting part was that our books were put in the library for other people to take out. We were supposed to take our books home with us at the end of the school year but I forgot mine. Years later, my younger sister came home from school one day, waving a book she'd taken out of the library. Wouldn't you know it was 'Super Bug'! Right then and there I just knew my career path would be writing.

FMM: Do you share any of the same traits as your characters? If yes, which characters, and which traits?

CL: I always put a little bit of me in my main characters. In Dark Water, I am very much a caregiver-type of person like Freesia. I'm But Mizu's character was based on the way I was when I was fifteen...right down to the Goth stuff.

FMM: What are some of the things that you like to do with your free time?

CL: In addition to being an author, I am also a freelance editor. So when I'm not doing all of that, I enjoy working in my garden with my four kids. And I LOVE to cook!

FMM: Are there any authors that have really grasped your interest?

CL: Well, I grew up on Judy Blume as well as all the classics. And I am a huge Stephen King fan, although horror is one genre I haven't tackled myself yet. I also think Jodi Picoult's writing style is fantastic. But what I really love is keeping an eye out for the new or up-and-coming authors. THEY are often the ones to watch out for.

FMM: While growing up, did you excel in English?

CL: That's funny you ask that because I wasn't the greatest student (::gasp::). I skipped alot and got into trouble. But English was the only class I never missed. And I got straight 'A's'. In fact, my Grade 12 English teacher...I think his name was Mr. Harrison...told me to pursue my writing path. He thought I could contribute something. Teachers who see your potential, even when you can't, ROCK! I should try finding him and thanking him...