Tips for Creating Character Depth: Author Interview with Lori Soard

You have now published multiple books, but what inspired you to write that first book?
My first book. No one will ever see it. It is horrendous, but I learned a lot writing that book. I was always an avid reader, but I was bored with the same story. I had an idea for a romance novel with unique characters. They wouldn't leave me alone. I started writing for fun. My father-in-law was one of my biggest supporters in everything I ever tried. He loved that I was writing and bought me this electric typewriter. Back then, it would let you type a line or two and look at it before you put it on the page. It was a mini word process. It wouldn't be long until I bought my first desktop computer (they were expensive back then) and learned the world of full word processing, but that was my first foray into writing novels.

Tell me about your latest book.
I just released a new nonfiction book last week for burnt-out homemakers called The Burnt-Out Homemaker's Guide. My last romance was Meringue Melody, which is set in 1928 Maine in a tea room. It's part of the Apron Strings Tea Tales series with multiple authors. Each of our books is inspired by a fairy tale. I had the Little Mermaid. (I love this idea for a book series!)

What are your writing goals for 2026?
I'm releasing my first cozy mystery series. It will, of course, be clean and the main character is a Christian woman who has no qualms about witnessing to people when they are open to it. It will be called the Mildred Wiggins Mystery Series. Mildred is quirky and bold and so much fun. I hope my readers love her as much as I do.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
It isn't what you'd think. I've been traditionally published. For many authors, you'd think that would be the encouragement. What truly encourages me is when a reader emails me and says how something I wrote touched them or made them feel better or gave them new perspective. I pray over every book that God will use me as his vessel for just this purpose. When I get an email like that, it helps me see His greater plan. It isn't about book sales or accolades. It's about connection with other humans and sharing Christ with them.

Marketing is the biggest key to making sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks?
Building my newsletter list has been most effective over the past year, but it is constantly changing. Facebook just had a huge update to its ads and I'm still trying to figure out how to best use ads there again. It isn't easy to market these days. There are many people advertising. I would tell people to be themselves. Let your personality shine through and those who are meant to connect with you will.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
You need to make time to write every week. You can't sit on your story idea for a year, telling yourself you're blocked. Just write. It doesn't matter if it's awful. You can always edit, rework sections. You need something to start with, though. I would advise even the busiest person who wants to write more to spend at least 15 minutes a day.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
I used to work with Fern Michaels when I promoted authors a gazillion years ago. She was so sweet to me and offered to critique a chapter for me. She was encouraging but pointed out something that I've always remembered. She told me to get inside the character's skin more. I had my heroine broken down in a snow storm and unsure how to get to safety and she stopped to notice the beautiful sunset. Fern was like, "Would YOU stop and look at a sunset if panic was setting in other then to note it was getting dark?" It was a good lesson in character depth that changed my perspective.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
If you feel called to write, don't let anyone discourage you. You can learn better grammar, better plotting, hire editors. You have a unique story to tell that no one else has. God made you on purpose for a purpose and he can use that through your stories.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
My Mildred Wiggins mystery will release this summer. It is titled Murder on Mulberry Lane. Mildred notices some strange shenanigans at the house on the hill, because she's always watching over her neighborhood. When she sees the police at the house, she knows they need her help and insight.

That's all for today's interview. Since Lori writes in a few different genres, you're sure to find a book that grabs your attention. Here's how you can learn more about her books.

https://lorisoard.com
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLoriSoard/

And here are some bonus tips for my readers... If you sign up for her newsletter, you will get a free novella and she'll send some bonus materials to introduce Mildred Wiggins. https://authorlorisoard.eo.page/freestory

Plus...This post includes the cover for her first Mildred Wiggins book. You are the first readers  to see it as she hasn't done a cover reveal yet. Leave a comment with the title of that new book, and one person will  win an eBook of their choice. Write down that title now!