Rebecca Leigh Interview

16 Sep 2010 6 Comments

by Lisa in Rebecca Leigh

Rebecca Leigh

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, Rebecca. We are very excited and can’t wait to learn more about you. Can you tell us a little bit about your background?

I was born and raised in the Lone Star State and now find myself transplanted in the Aloha State. I am an attorney by day and an erotic romance writer by night. I am married to my high school sweetheart for 17 years and we have 2 beautiful daughters (except when they act like teenagers – they are only 11 and 4).

What was your first book and how long did it take to get it published?

My debut novel is “Have Stake, Will Travel” about a feisty vampire slayer who falls for a vampire. The book is actually the product of my unofficial participation in NaNoWriMo last year. It only took a few months after I finished the manuscript to find a home. As I write this, it occurs to me that those three sentences make it sound easy – it’s not! And I’ve been writing for much longer than that – my whole life really.

How many books have you written thus far?

Do I have to include my drawer novels? I have a couple novels that will most likely never see the light of day (one dark take on the Peter Pan story and one vampire romance set in Hawaii). In addition to “Have Stake, Will Travel,” I also have a completed erotic zombie romance called “No Brainer” that is currently looking for a home.

When did you start writing erotic romance? What about this genre interested you the most?

I started writing erotic romance in late 2009. As an attorney, I spend my days reading cases, statutes, and rules. I then use that knowledge to write briefs to appellate courts. If it sounds exciting, you’re as strange as I am!! I read to be entertained. I don’t need a lot of heavy to be happy – I get that all day. Erotic romance is fun, sexy . . . entertaining! I write it for the same reason.

Do you write full time?

The short answer is yes. But the longer answer is . . . My day job as an appellate attorney means I write for a living. However, I do not write fiction full time – it is an evening, weekend, whenever I can find time endeavor.

Looking back was there something in particular that helped you to decide to become a writer? Did you choose it or did the profession choose you?

I have always loved to write. Even as a young child I wrote poems and short stories. I eventually went to law school to become a writer (I am not your average “as seen on t.v.” attorney). I think writing is an inborn aspect of myself – it has always been, and will always be, a part of me.

On a typical writing day, how would you spend your time?

Most importantly, trying to find time to write. When I do find time, I usually sit down with a pad an paper and write everything long hand. Then, I have to find time later to type it all in – but that gives me the chance to proofread, edit, add, takeaway, etc.

When it comes to plotting, do you write freely or plan everything in advance?

Another writer once told me I am a painter rather than a plotter. For the most part, I agree. I tend to do most of my writing freely. This works very well with short stories and novellas. For novels, I tend to do both. I start out painting, but soon must enter the plotting mode.

What kind of research do you do before and during a new book?

Being on a small rock in the middle of the sea – my primary source for research is the internet. I usually research whatever main topic I am writing about of which I do not have any knowledge. Otherwise, I research as the need arises during the writing process.

How much of yourself and the people you know manifest into your characters? How do you approach development of your characters? Where do you draw the line?

So far, not much! My two female leads in my novels are feisty, strong, bad-asses. I am none of these. These novels are also both written from the heroine’s perspective, so it sometimes made staying in their mindset difficult because their personalities are so different from my own. Most of my short stories and novellas are M/M – so no manifestation of me there! I do have a series of legal erotic shorts being released by one of my publishers – so those have a basis only in the fact they are set within the field I practice at my day job.

How long does it take for you to complete a book you would allow someone to read?

Wow – this varies so much. I can sometimes finish a short story in a day. My debut novel took about a month. My last novel took about three months. I have a couple critique partners who read my novels as I write the chapters. But with my short stories, I ask for advice only when they are finished.

If you weren’t sitting there right this very moment answering our book of questions, what else would you be doing?

Working, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry . . . I mean, writing!

Do you write straight through, or do you revise as you go along?

I revise as I go along if I’m able to write directly onto the computer. These days, I tend to do more writing by hand though so I revise when I am typing it in.

Writers often go on about writer’s block. Do you ever suffer from it, and what measures do you take to get past it?

Yes, I think all writers experience this at least once in a while. I take a break for as long as I can stand it before the lack of being able to write drives me crazy, then I just try to think of something and write about it. Even if the ideas do not ultimately go anywhere . . . at least I’m writing.

When someone reads one of your books for the first time, what do you hope they gain, feel, or experience?

I always hope that they will feel the same about the place and the characters that I do. I hope they get carried away (even if only for a while) to a place where love (and steamy sex) rule. I hope they will fall in love with my characters — they way I always do when I’m creating them. I hope they will want to come back and visit again – because the best stories are stories you want to return to.

Does the title of a book you’re writing come to you as you’re writing it, or does it come before you even begin the first sentence?

Most of the time before. If I am struggling with a title, I’m usually struggling (probably too much) with the story.

How would you describe your sense of humor? Who and what makes you laugh?

Hm, that’s a hard one. I would say I have a pretty easy sense of humor. Most things that are funny make me laugh and things that are not — don’t. How was that for a non-answer, answer! Maybe I should consider politics!

What is the most frequently asked Rebecca question?

Why to you write M/M. My answer – I LOVE men!!

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a couple short M/M stories and (oddly enough) a zombie romance YA. I am also working on a novel about an attorney who represents vampires (but she’s nothing like me) and a F/F version of The Graduate.

What was the best piece of advice you’ve received with respect to the art of writing? How did you implement it into your work?

The best piece of advice is write. Writers write. If you’re not writing, you’re not a writer. If you’re not writing, you will never finish. If you never finish, you can never be published. I try to follow this advice by writing (at least a little bit) every day.

When it comes to promotion, what lengths have you gone to in order to increase reader-awareness of your work?

I’m still learning the art of promotion – which I’ve found it harder than it sounds. Currently, I use my blog, my website, facebook, and twitter to advertise myself. I also try to guest blog (like right now) to get my name out there.

Writing is obviously not just how you make your living, but your life-style as well. What do you do to keep the creative “spark” alive – both in your work and out of it?

I am always thinking of the next story idea . . . the next characters . . . the next sex scene! If I ever find myself unable to have these thoughts – those are the times I realize I’m feeling uninspired and unable to write. I try not to have too many of these times!

What pros and cons surround the e-publishing industry, and how do you envision the future of e-publishing?

I’m in the camp that believes e-publishing is absolutely the future. Or the present, as recent sales figures reveal. I don’t think brick and mortar bookstores will ever be completely replaced, but to survive traditional publishing will have to find its way into the digital world. Since I believe paper books will always be available (perhaps just less in volume), I see no down sides to e-publishing.

What kind of books do you like to read?

Other than legal treatises – erotic romance and YA. A very odd combination, but one that parallels my various writing interests.

What is your favorite TV show?

Oh, I don’t have just one. Watching TV has, and will always be, a guilty pleasure. My favorites the Vampire Diaries, True Blood, Dexter, Survivor, and Real Housewives series. Thank goodness for tivo and Netflix to feed my guilty pleasure.

If you weren’t a writer what would you be?

In an insane asylum.

Lemons or Limes?

Lemons, they make you pucker – like kissing.

When it comes to the covers of your books, what do you like or dislike about them?

I’ve been very fortunate with covers – I love them all!!

Aside from writing, what else do you enjoy doing?

Spending time with my family and going to the beach (I’m surrounded by both).

Any special projects coming out soon we should watch for?

My next release will be the first in my legal erotic short series from Breathless Press called “Behind the Bench” on November 5, 2010. It’s about a female judge who falls the criminal defense attorney appearing in her court for the trial of the century.

New writers are always trying to glean advice from those with more experience. What suggestions do you have for new writers?

Write. Then write some more. Finish what you write. The one thing that stands between you and all the other aspiring writers is writing and finishing!

Can you please tell us where we can find you and your books on the Internet?

Sure! The easiest way to find out about all my books is to visit my website at http://www.rebeccaleighromance.com/ or my blog at http://blog.rebeccaleighromance.com/

I currently have books out with Ravenous Romance, Dreamspinner Press, Noble Romance Publishing, and Silver Publishing.

Hot Pink, Yellow, Blue, or Green and why?

Hot Pink – because it has the word hot and has a color it is super sexy!