Donna Laird Forever Yours

Newspaper Article

Newspaper Interview Benton County Daily Record. *****

Rogers writer publishes romance ‘Forever Yours’ By Tonya McKiever Staff Writer Thursday, March 4, 2004

ROGERS — Donna Laird used to read romance novels and think, "I could write that story." Now she’s done just that. Her newly published book, "Forever Yours," may be only the first of many for the 43-year-old woman. She’s hard at work now on a murder mystery. "I have a serial killer running around," Laird explained with a smile. "You know, I can sit down in there and get into a whole different world. I don’t know how, but my characters find me. "It seems they’re writing their story through me. I love writing and seeing how things turn out." In Forever Yours, "Laird writes about Samantha Kane, a young woman from a small town in Arkansas who longs to be an actress. Kane lands the lead in an off-Broadway play shortly after arriving in the Big Apple. The story is filled with unexpected turns and surprises. The author and her husband are the parents of two grown daughters and have three grandsons. "I’ve had lots of support from my husband and all my family, "Laird said." When I received a rejection notice from one publisher, my youngest daughter, Christie, sent my manuscript to the publisher who accepted it. She did it without telling me at first. "Angie, my oldest daughter, is also a big fan of mine, and my sister, Debbie DeShields, encourages me so much. Debbie has published some books and has been a lot of help to me."

Always a big reader and having well over 1,000 books at her home, Laird said her publisher is Publish America. She has been asked to appear at the Rogers Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 261 N. 46 th St., to sign copies of "Forever Yours" and visit with bookstore customers. "I’ll be there beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 27," When asked what advice she might give to anyone interested in writing, Laird didn’t hesitate. "Write it," she insisted. "If you really want to write, don’t give up. Don’t ever give up on your dreams. I’m so glad I’ve written my first book and look forward to writing several more. I have to get that serial killer under control."