Lizzie T. Leaf Interview

Today I am speaking with Lizzie T. Leaf. Hi Lizzie and welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews today. There are some anxious readers that would love to know more about Lizzie.

Why don’t we begin by telling us something about Lizzie T. Leaf?

Thank you, Linda. For someone who can hold a conversation with a lamp post, I have problems talking about myself. See, with the lamp post I get to ask the questions instead of trying to come up with something others might be interested in about me. My life if pretty simple. When not focused on the latest work in progress, I try to spend as much time as possible with my family, especially my husband. From the first hello, I felt a connection with him like no other. This is probably what gave me the idea for the Again and Again series. I also like to cook, read, putter in the yard and am considering a couple of options to volunteer a few hours of my time to help others the first of the year. I use to do a lot of volunteer work, but one experience left a bad taste and I decided to take a break.

Lizzie, I see you have quite a few stories and have a variety of publishers, quite impressive. I read Call Me and loved it. Why not begin by telling us about Among the Stones?

Among the Stones is the first in the Again and Again series for Aspen Mountain Press. It is also my first non-humor novella (some of the others will have more humor) and there will be four more about the love between Lilly and Alan that is so strong they find each other in other lives. Stones is set at Stonehenge and is the beginning of their love.

Do you find yourself with many works in progress? And are there any more upcoming releases that you would like to share with your readers?

I normally have 2-4 works in various stages. I try to limit it to two, but sometimes another story will be so strong in its demand that I have to start making notes if nothing else. Currently, I’m working on another book for the Still Sexy Ladies series, the second in the Again and Again series called Release the Lions and a novella for an anthology to release in time for Halloween which will have a vampire heroine.

What made you decide to go into the field of writing?

Making up stories in my head was my favorite pastime as a child. In school, when the teacher wanted them put down on paper, well I found a little piece of heaven. But, like a lot of people, I allowed life distract me from the writing process, though I never gave up making up stories in my head for my own entertainment.

Do you ever get writers block?

I don’t think what happens to me is actually writer’s block. I find the need to take a week or two of down time after completing several projects in a row. I tell myself, “no work,” and won’t allow story lines to push their way into my conscious thoughts (or at least try not to). If I’m lucky, that lasts for a few days (grin) and then a character takes over and I’m off and running on another story.

Does the story jump out at you or do you like to sit and outline or go with the flow?

Most jump out at me. Sometimes it’s from over hearing something said by a stranger in a crowded room or something I see. Other times it’s just an idea that pops into my head. I always keep pen and paper handy and make notes so I don’t lose the thought. One I have a strong idea in mind, I sit down and do a rough outline which has the opening and ending and becomes my roadmap, so to speak. Of course, there are usually lots of detours along the way as characters have a mind of their own at times, but it’s a matter of working toward the end.

Do you have any bad writing habits?

Allowing myself to become distracted with daydreams instead of fingers to the keyboard. Though I guess that is part of the creative process, but it doesn’t do much for the daily word count when I look at what I’ve actually accomplished at the end of the day.

What was the first story you ever wrote? Published or unpublished?

Heavens, I don’t remember many of the earlier ones. The only one that comes to mind is a parody I did on The Beatles (does that age me or what?) using the slang popular at the time to create humor. When I got back into writing this time, my first effort was a little short story that is up in the files section of my yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LizziesTeaRoom/

What makes a great book to you?

One that captures my interest with a good story. I enjoy various genres in fiction and in non-fiction, I read history and biographies.

How many hours a day do you spend writing? And when is your best time to compose?

I find I’m better off setting a word count for myself and if I don’t get in at least a thousand words, it’s not a productive day. There are days when I achieve far more, but few where there are less. Five writing days a week is the goal, though I sometimes cheat on weekends if my husband is busy with one of his hobbies.