Lauren Ritz

Biography

Lauren Ritz was born in Utah and continues to reside there, somewhat to the chagrin of those who know her well. She is commonly known as a walking insane asylum (just ask her) and a compulsive gardener.

She began writing at the age of six with a “journal entry” about aliens flying through her bedroom window and landing on her wall.  She tried to start earlier, but was handicapped by the fact that she couldn't draw well enough.

She lives in Utah with bats in her attic, a cat named Darth Vader and too many books to count. She is a wannabe herbalist, but the herbs stay outside for the most part. Most of her plants are domesticated varieties and housebroken.

No, she does not talk to the plants, but they talk to her. Luckily she's hard of listening.

Writing is her love and her lifelong obsession, taking up the majority of her time when she isn't involved in other less compelling interests. 

Smashwords Interview

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
I started "writing" before I learned the alphabet, so the answer would be no. I remember a lot of different stories, but not that one.
What is your writing process?
I am a 100% pantser, otherwise known as a discovery writer. I don't outline, I don't plan, I just sit down and start writing. I learned quickly that I have to write straight through or the stories will never get finished. I have many stories where I skipped a piece and never went back to finish it. Once the writing is finished I do seven edits before the book is ready.
Read more of this interview.

Series

Spirit
Spirit
Price: $0.99 USD.
Dark Spirit
Price: $2.99 USD.

Books

Parallel
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 11,150. Language: English. Published: April 4, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Apocalyptic, Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories
In other universes I have fallen silent. In our own I hear of nations quarantined as the disease sweeps the planet. If it is not stopped I may be the only survivor. There are those who don't want it stopped. They may kill me, but they work without a full understanding of my greatest strength. I am never alone.
The Heart of the Castle
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 76,240. Language: English. Published: November 28, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » General, Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
The young prince's parents named him unfit and beat him until he lay near death, his blood staining the hems of their fine robes. They imprisoned him in the maze beneath their palace so that their Clan servants would not learn what they had done. For five hundred years the unseen prince has manipulated the politics of the Kingdom, but today he will reclaim his throne.
Transformation
Price: Free! Words: 7,460. Language: English. Published: March 22, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Anthologies » Short stories - multi-author
A compilation of Flash Fiction (each story under 1000 words) from authors Laura D Bastian, Rebecca Blevins, JD Lerud, Lauren Ritz, and Best Selling author Wendy Knight. This compilation covers all kinds of transformations, from a dragon (not one of your peasant roasting dragons) befriending a human, to an old woman finishing up her "bucket list."
Dark Spirit
Series: Spirit, Inga. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 41,900. Language: English. Published: December 13, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Urban, Fiction » Fantasy » Contemporary
Spirit ability is a complication Inga Tarsi does not need, but sometimes the only way to survive is to do things you would rather not do. When family gets involved, that goes double. Why can't anything dealing with Spirit be simple?
Spirit
Series: Spirit, Val. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 27,200. Language: English. Published: June 27, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Urban, Fiction » Fantasy » Paranormal
Valerian Howell has no intention of using the Spirit skills she was born with, until she stands over the body of another spirit worker at a murder scene. Then it's either use those skills or get flattened, with the dubious help of an irritatingly attractive coworker-turned-bodyguard who just might be working for her enemies.
Without A Voice
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 32,410. Language: English. Published: March 25, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General, Fiction » Christian » Suspense
Don’t put yourself on the grid. No credit cards, new name, new city. Few friends, no family. Connections of any kind are a risk. Five years ago Mae left Justin in Orlando. Now he's found her. Justin is the whisper in the dark, a shadow on the street, the phantom no one sees.
The Storyteller
Price: Free! Words: 4,500. Language: English. Published: March 16, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Anthologies » Short stories - single author, Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories
A collection of three original fairy tales, without pictures: The Princess and the Dragon, The Storyteller, and The Special Tree.