Interview with Lauren Layne, author of Walk of Shame

What can you tell us about your new release, Walk of Shame?

Walk of Shame is a standalone, that’s about as close to the quintessential Lauren Layne book as you can get. Writing it reminded me a bit of watching a modern rom-com movie. It’s about a cynical divorce attorney and the pampered socialite who lives in his swanky building. Their paths cross every morning at 5am—just as he’s leaving for the day, and she’s getting in from a night out drinking champagne. They’re as opposite as it’s possible to be, but naturally sparks fly!

What fictional literary world would you most like to visit?

Harry Potter, absolutely. Not a huge surprise since I can’t make it through a single interview without a JK Rowling/HP reference, but I’d love to see Hogwarts.

What books are currently on your night stand?

I don’t keep any physical books in my home—digital all the way! However, my Kindle Paperwhite sits on my nightstand and is currently filled with Nora Roberts and Lisa Kleypas backlist. I’ve been in the mood for the classics!

What is a typical day like for you?

I’m very much a creature of habit, so my favorite days are the “routine ones.” In fact, ever since I became an author and fell in love with my job, I almost resent/dread vacations because it takes me away from my schedule 😉 Not really, but … kind of!!! I’m an early riser, so most mornings start at 5am. I usually peruse Instagram during my first cup of coffee while my brain wakes up. Then it’s right into the writing for a couple hours until it’s time for shower and/or gym. Then a bit more writing until lunch, which is usually something fancy and delicious because my husband is a cookbook author. After lunch, my creative juices are often used up, so I’ll switch gears to the “business stuff.” I own a website design company, so I do client-work for that, as well as manage my Lauren Layne website and social media presence (although admittedly, social media almost always falls by the wayside, I’m pretty bad at it!” Later afternoon/early evening is often cocktail hour with the hubby. Then dinner, maybe some reading time, and then to bed by about 9:30!

What are you currently craving?

Oh man. Kraft macaroni and cheese. I mostly try to avoid processed foods, but that orange, artificial crap is my ultimate weakness.

What’s your favorite play or musical?

Jersey Boys is my favorite musical. Our Town is my favorite play, only because my husband and I fell in love while working on it back in our high school theater department

What scene in Walk of Shame was your favorite to write?

Oh gosh, probably “the sick scene.” The heroine becomes alarmed when he skips their usual early-morning sparring session (read: foreplay) and goes by his apartment, only to find him delightfully rumpled with the flu:

I push the door wider, and let out a little sound of dismay as I absorb the reality of what I’m looking at.

The man looks terrible.

“Oh, Andrew,” I murmur, stepping into his apartment uninvited and dropping my bag on the ground. 

His hand is gripping the door, and he rests his forehead tiredly against it, eyes closing. “Is there any chance that you’ll go away now?”

“Absolutely none,” I say, prying his fingers away from the door and feeling his forehead with the other. “How long have you looked like this?”

“Like what?”

“Regurgitated death.”

He lets out a noise that’s half laugh, half groan. “Go away. I can’t spar with you today.”

It’s too late. I’ve already shut the door and am preparing a plan of action.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Honestly? I stumbled across this the other day, and it made me smile and is, well … quite true.

“If you have to ask if it’s too early to drink wine, you’re an amateur and we can’t be friends.”

Lauren Layne is the author of the new book Walk of Shame. 

Connect with Lauren:
Author Website