User:Dorothysinger7

Laraine Elizabeth Turner, AKA Lady Laraine, is an award-winning author and singer-songwriter. Born Laraine Elizabeth Bauer in Fort Wayne, Indiana on June 16, 1955, she began writing the first draft of "The Witch on the Bayou" at age eleven. Several years later, she finally completed and published her action-thriller, "The Rise and Fall of the Witch on the Bayou" (Publish America, Inc., 2001). According to an article in "The Downey Eagle," 2000, "Downey author has bayou-spiced winner": "Born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Turner recalls, when she was about 11 or 12, how she would rock, one at a time, her three baby brothers who were left in her care while her parents were away at work.  She didn't mind." The front-page article spread went on to explain how Turner began penning her manuscript at that time--then called "The Witch on the Bayou"--along with three related-songs, "Song of the Bayou," "Love is Not Defied," and "Poor Li'l Baby." In another article by "The Downey Patriot," entitled, "Laraine Turner: A writer all of her life," Turner says "'My dad always encouraged me to write songs...  So I've always been very proud of my songs and try to write them as often as possible.'  But, like many motivated authors and songwriters, Turner has had to overcome many obstacles." According to an article in the Long Beach Press-Telegram, "Theatrics bring author's book to life," (spring, 2002), Turner explains about her writing efforts. "As I wrote, I could see myself in the characgter, even though I'm not from Louisiana and didn't go through all those experiences." In the same article, she explains about her dramatic book readings for her audiences: "Anytime an author puts a theatrical spin on a reading, it draws a big audience into the reading and makes them want to learn more about the story." At the age of ten, Turner's father enrolled her in drama classes at the Fort Wayne Civic Theatre, where in the spring, she appeared at the Fort Wayne Fine Arts Festival in "Little Women" in the role of Beth. According to "Laraine Turner: A writer all of her life": "At the age of 19, she began attending Pacific Union College in Angwin, California, receiving her bachelor's degree in journalism.  Ten years later, Turner found herself working as an editor for 'The Drill Sergeant,' the Army Reserves' newspaper. While working in San Francisco as a long-term secretary at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, she also "participated in community theatre in Santa Rosa."  Her performance as "Miss Hamilton" in "Curly McDimple" at the Marquee Theatre, Santa Rosa, garnered favorable reviews.  One critic, in the "Santa Rosa Press Democrat," (June, 1985) said: "Laraine Bauer (whose mugging is reminiscent of Carol Burnett at her best) is the wicked ole witch who's determined to plunk Curley into that nasty old orphanage."     According to the "Downey Patriot" article, "Laraine Turner: A writer all of her life," (2007), Turner decided to pursue teaching, graduating with a degree from Cal. State University, Long Beach in June, 1995. While working soon afterwards as a substitute teacher, "she pinched a nerve, leaving her bedridden" for a month. This motivated her to finally write her final draft of "The Rise and Fall of the Witch on the Bayou" (Publish America, Inc., 2001). She credits her husband, Elder Tony Turner, in the same article for encouraging her to finish her book and get it published. According to the "Downey Patriot" (2005, "Local author in Marquis' Who's Who," she traveled to Louisiana, where her debut book was set. While there, she completed a "successful Bayou Book Tour, where she appeared on TV news shows and did book signings in major cities like Baton Rouge and New Orleans."  Turner then landed a job as a magnet-drama/elementary teacher for Los Angeles Unified School District.  She worked there several years, where she taught and directed musical productions for gifted select students in Bell, California.      In January, 2005, according to "VH-1 Song of the Year," Turner placed as Finalist in the "Song of the Year" international songwriting contest for her pop ballad, "The Thorns of the Rose."  In February, 2006, she was awarded Finalist in the folk category for "Long, Long Ago"; and in June, 2007, she placed Finalist in the pop category again for "Never the Same Again." According to www.cdbaby.com, she has two singles available at present, "Never the Same Again" and "The Thorns of the Rose." She also recorded a country-western single, "Western Sunrise," which is preparing to release to go with her novel by the same title.