Award-winning author teaches local writers

By GABRIELLE BRYANT

SMITHFIELD — Drafting a breathtaking novel has never been easy, and creating a well-rounded setting is even more daunting.

Luckily, award-winning author Lori Hayes broke it down in her seminar at the Johnston County Writers group’s monthly meeting at the public library in Smithfield.

Residing in North Carolina, Hayes specializes in beach romance novels. She kicked off her writing career after her desire to write turned into endless encouragement from her family. While her son took his afternoon naps, she wrote. Years and several successful novels later, Hayes began giving her wisdom back to the community.

She has written eight books total, four of which are children’s novels under the name Lisa Morgan. Her adult fiction, the Crystal Coast series, is sprinkled with romance centered in North Carolina. Tying in family, complex relationships, wild horses and a happy ending, the Crystal Coast tugs at the heartstrings of those who love an uplifting love story.

During her talk on June 9, Hayes instructed several local writers on how to implement the five senses into their work. “Supersize your senses,” she said. “Elevate your writing to draw your reader into your story. I start with the setting that I love and then I decide what story I want to write.”

Hayes broke down each sense for the writers, using examples from her work to demonstrate different techniques. She began by detailing how important it is to start a draft with whatever is in the writer’s heart.

“On my first draft, I give myself permission to go from the beginning to the end,” she said. She encouraged the audience to think about how to draw (readers) in by using a blend of each sense to build up the setting.

With each sense, she provided physical examples to encourage the audience to think about every detail. From the crashing waves to the scent of the sea breeze, to the taste of the salt in the air and the feel of the boardwalk rails, Hayes showed how each quality was vital to wellwritten work.

“Look at the Carolina blue sky. The sky could be slate gray or it could have clouds in it,” she said while showing the audience a photo of a shoreline. “Sight is probably the easiest for me. I try to look for the finer details so that I can add those in my book.”

She also elaborated on how important voice is for a writer. “It’s really important to discover your voice,” she said. “Voice is a unique voice that you have that makes you different than every other writer out there.”

A part of an author’s voice comes from how they perceive their surroundings. She highlighted the importance of tuning into the environment even when you’re not writing.

In the latter half of the seminar, Hayes connected the five senses and setting with character.

“Different personalities can perceive the five senses differently,” she said. By imagining yourself as the character, you blend yourself with their senses and let them react to the setting based on their experiences.

There are also ways to get to know your character. Hayes told the writers about her labyrinth walk technique, in which she has her students walk through a labyrinth with their characters in mind.

“All of the bends, twists and turns depict plot points in your book,” she said. Taking a meditative walk with the character in mind helps bring the writer in deeper toward their character’s thoughts and feelings. External plots are going to internally change your character.” Hayes frequently finds herself at the beach because it is the foundation of all of her books.

“When I’m there, I write on the balcony and I’m always watching, listening, tasting, touching, trying to absorb myself in that environment.”

Hayes will be working intensively with writers at a retreat this fall on Nov. 12-17. There, aspiring authors will stay in a beachfront home in Emerald Isle. There will be opportunities to network with other successful writers, seminars to break down crafting a book, and plenty of time to get away from the stress of everyday life while connecting one-on-one with the exquisite environment. To learn more, visit lorihayesauthor.com or email LoriHayesBooks@gmail.com.