FAR would like to welcome author Lizzie T Leaf. Thanks for agreeing to answer a few questions for us.

Since everybody needs a break, even when doing something they love, how do you like to spend your time away from writing?

I spend time with my family and friends, traveling with my husband and catching up on my pleasure reading.

What is a typical day like for you?

I get up at 4:45 A.M. and make my husband's lunch. I have coffee and watch the news for awhile and then do a couple of things around the house before I hit the shower. After that, I log onto the computer and answer e-mail and depending on deadlines, post to a few groups. Starting around nine, I write, plot or research until time to start dinner. The evening is spent with my husband.

When did you decide to take "pen in hand" and write with the intent to publish?

I've dreamed about writing most of life and wrote short stories and kept a journal for my own enjoyment. A little over two years ago I became serious about the process. Imagine my surprise when I had lunch with a local newspaper editor and he wanted the article I brought to show him. Talk about going away feeling inspired!

How has being published changed your life, if at all?

I have had to learn better self-discipline. I use to wait for inspiration to sit down and write. I now create the inspiration by putting my seat to chair bottom. Some days are better than others on what is produced from the process, but for me I found I need the routine until a work is finished. I am also learning I need to take downtime in which I don't write for at least a week in between finishing and starting projects.

Any advice for aspiring authors?

Keep trying. If it is your passion don't let the negative words of others discourage you. Join a local writer's group and make friends with other writers. Form or get into a critique group. The feedback you get in a group built on trust and mutual respect is invaluable.

How do you write? Are you someone who plots plots plots, or are you a seat-of-the-pantser?

I spent years flying by the seat of my pants on the stuff I wrote for myself. Once I started to write longer works, the need to outline became obvious. I use a story board and block out approximately how many chapters I think there will be and get down my opening and ending. I fill in what I think will happen in between, but allow for changes as the book progresses. Characters get pretty stubborn sometimes and have different ideas which I listen to.

Your book, Call Me, deals with a woman making money through phone sex. Did you do any research when you decided to write it?

I saw a primetime news show on the industry. I don't remember which one now, but when my critiques partners were teasing me at one of our in-person critiques about not being able to write about 'sex', I said watch me. I took that idea and ran with it by talking with a friend who had worked as an operator for awhile and calling some of the ads I found in a area paper. A few of the owners were willing to discuss the business, but most were very closed mouth.

The second book, Boy Toy, is about an older woman and a younger man. How did you decide to write it? How do you find inspiration for your work?

Baby boomers make up a large segment of the population and they have desires, too. A lot of over forty women find themselves thrown back into the dating world and men in their age group may not be up to meeting their needs in or out of bed. More are turning to younger men. Look at Hollywood and all the females who are dating younger men.

Inspiration comes to me from different places. Recently I got an idea for a future project on an elevator ride with a couple of strangers.

Do you have anything in the works right now?

Yes. I'm putting the finishing touches to one of the Still Sexy Ladies Guide to Dating Immortals series for Triskelion Publishing entitled Struck by Lightning. This is a full length book and is scheduled to release as an e-book and a print book in the spring of 2006. Then my focus will be the holidays and I'll take a break from writing to recharge.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Just to say thank you, Serena. It's been fun getting to know you.

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy day to answer our questions! If you'd like to know more about Ms. Leaf, please check out her website at http://www.lizzietleaf.com/index.html.

Interviewed by: Serena