Lorie Langdon is one half of the author team that writes the best-selling DOON series, a young adult reimagining of the musical Brigadoon. A few years ago, she left her corporate career to satisfy the voices in her head. Now she spends her days tucked into her office, Havanese puppy by her side, working to translate her effusive imagination into the written word.
Lorie has been interviewed on Entertainment Weekly.com and several NPR radio programs, including Lisa Loeb’s national Kid Lit show. The DOON series has been featured on such high profile sites as USAToday.com, Hypable.com, and BroadwayWorld.com. Lorie’s solo debut, GILT HOLLOW, a YA romantic thriller, released September 27th 2016. GILT HOLLOW was recently named by Redbook Magazine as one of the “Books By Women You Must Read This Fall.”
I grew up in an inner city, where I spent my days reading, making up elaborate stories for my Barbie dolls, and riding bikes with the neighborhood kids. Music was always playing in my house and my mom took me to movies as often as we could afford it. The highlight of my week was walking to the library and stopping by the small corner store for a popsicle to eat on the way home.
We moved to the suburbs when I was fourteen. In high school, I joined the Drama Club and worked behind the scenes on every production. I longed to try out for a role, but could never get past my stage fright. This became one of the biggest regrets of my young life.
I went away to Miami University intending to become an investigative journalist. But my junior year, a professor sat me down and told me I was too talented to write for a newspaper where I would make very little money and work horrible hours. He insisted I should change my major to broadcast journalism. As an introvert with stage fright, this scared me away from journalism for good and I changed my major to Sociology with a business minor.
I didn’t begin writing my first novel until I’d worked in the corporate world for many years and realized the lack of creativity in my life was slowly killing me. Literally.
I’ve had Crohn’s disease since my early twenties, but about ten years ago it flared up to the point that I couldn’t work and the doctors were out of treatment options. I cried a lot and prayed more. One night I had a dream about a privateer and the girl who’d traveled through time to save him.
The next morning, I began writing my first novel. I wrote through the pain and fatigue. The doctors were astounded by my recovery. But I wasn’t. God had given me a purpose, a calling. When you find that thing you were created to do, nothing can stop you.
I’ve worked as a: Waitress, retail clerk, makeup artist, car saleswoman (yep, really), recruiter, human resource manager, and writer.
If I wasn’t a writer, I’d be: A tour guide on a tropical island. Jurassic World would be cool.
When I was a kid I wanted to be: Wonder Woman or a teacher. Cuz a girl needs something practical to fall back on in case the superhero thing doesn’t work out.
Favorite music: I’m kind of a music fanatic. It inspires me like nothing else, but my tastes are all over the place! See my YouTube channel for proof.
Favorite book: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Favorite movie: Guardians of the Galaxy, the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Princess Bride (actually like the film better than the book – no hate, please!)
Favorite TV Shows: This answer changes constantly. Right now, I’m loving Riverdale, The Flash, Pretty Little Liars (final season, liars!), The 100 (Bellark anyone?), Gilmore Girls
Celebrity Crush: If you follow me on social media, my answer will not come as a surprise…Chris Pratt, now and forever!
Ultimate goals in life: To live in a cottage by the sea, travel the world, and learn to cook like Chef Alex Guarnaschelli
Personal motto: “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” ~ Proverbs 31:25
Special Skills: Reading people’s feelings. Spying the occasional ghost (I’ll tell you about it sometime). Making my friends laugh.
Most people don’t know: I fall head over feels in love with all my heroes. I’m talking to you…Jamie MacCrae, Ashton Keller, Jack MacCarron, and a few others who I hope to introduce you all to someday!
