Today we have an interview with one of my favorite authors…Michelle Leighton.
She’s the NYT best selling author of The Wild Ones , Fragile, and more…
Thank you so much for this interview with Bookish Temptations. I really appreciate it. You are truly wonderful in so many way.
1. The Wild Ones is a completely new type of writing for you compared to both your paranormal YA and Fragile. It is a much more mature read. Why did you branch out into mature YA?
Honestly, I feel like my “voice” is more mature and resonates with a more mature audience. I think most of my readers have been older all along. I’m just now beginning to let go and write in a way that’s more natural for me:)
2. Fragile is your only work written in the third person, why did you use this POV method for this book but not others?
Before I started to alternate POVs, I wanted to be able to see inside Hardy’s mind as well as have the occasional glimpse into Miracle’s. This was the only way I knew of at the time. It wasn’t until The Wild Ones that I took a chance on writing from BOTH perspectives in the first person. It worked out marvelously, I think:)
3. Can you tell us anything about your next project?
Yes, I can. It’s about a girl who falls in love with twins, only both are off-limits to her for two different reasons. But it turns out they’re hiding something that could turn her against both of them.
4. How would you compare Writing Paranormal to contemporary romance?
Paranormal is easier to write in one way because you can get over a block much more readily. You can throw in a curse or a fictional creature or…whatever you want! Anything goes. But, in another respect, contemporary is easier because it is almost entirely character driven. While there is a plot, it is secondary to the love story. At least that’s the way it seems to be in my writing.
5. Who inspired the characters of Trick and Cami?
No one. With the exception of one small character in one of my first books, every character is someone who exists solely in my head. They are neither based upon nor inspired by anyone or anything in reality. That’s why they’re so hard to put on “paper.” There’s nothing else to draw from but what’s in my head.
6. Your secondary characters are so vibrant and central to the novel. Is this important to you and why?
To me, they are part of the lives of the main characters, therefore they are important. In some way, they impact the MCs, so they need to be created and developed as “important.”
7. You are very present in social media and are incredibly kind and gracious to your readers. How do you feel about the role of social media to the success of independent author’s ?
I think it can be extremely helpful! I started from scratch with a Twitter and FB account and, not having participated in social media before, I find that I love getting to know people from all over the world in all walks of life. It’s so enriching and rewarding! I don’t think of it as a job. I think of it as a privilege.
8. What are you biggest hopes and fears about your Writing career?
My biggest fear is that I won’t be able to write stories people like to read. Connecting with readers and writing characters that resonate with them is much more difficult than you might think. I’m terrified of not being able to do that adequately. As for my biggest hope, I hope one day to write a novel that reaches millions of readers and brings happiness to them. I want to write a truly great book, one that is talked about for years after it’s written. Maybe something that even changes lives. I would imagine it’s every author’s dream to have a genuinely great book in them. Somewhere. Deep down. I, too, share that hope.
9. The Wild One, has a lot of sensuality without being risqué . Do you think you will ever branch out to writing more erotic scenes?
The book I’m working on now is much more…detailed:) LOL I won’t ever write erotica, per se, though. My mother would kill me. True story.
Sudden Death
1. Favorite book?
Wolf and the Dove
2. Favorite band?
Yikes! Um… I’m gonna go classic, because you can’t go wrong with classic. Def Leppard or Kiss.
3. Biggest phobia?
Spiders! OMG I shiver just thinking about them. Next would be germs. I’m a huge germophobe!
4. Chocolate or chips?
Both! LOL But if I had to choose, chocolate. For sure!
5. Dogs or cats?
Dogs. Cats are never that happy to see you.
6. Favorite sport?
Football. Then boxing.
7. Favorite movie?
Eeeeee, um, probably either Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me or The Anchorman
8. Mac or PC?
PC, because it’s what I have. But Mac all the way!
Thank you so much for having me with you today! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it or how grateful I am for your love and support. You truly make my life better!
I want to thank Michelle Leighton for being with us today. If you haven’t had a chance to read her work, I strongly recommend you do. They are beautiful in so many ways and I personally am a huge fan. Thank you Michelle for this wonderful interview.
Neda
I bought this the other day.