Author Interview: Leandra Martin
At what point did you decide to be an author and what was your path to publication?
I decided to be an author in the winter of 2009 when I went to a writer’s workshop on the coast led by my mentor, a columnist at the paper where I work. He is an amazing person and fabulous writer, and he convinced me to come on the weekend. By the time the weekend was over I had decided to “just do it”. Putting words on paper from the voice in your head is the first step. After much debate, I decided to try indie publishing which means I paid a company to format the interior, but had the cover designed by an artist. By the time my second book came along though, I realized I wouldn’t have the funds to do it that way every time. So, another friend introduced me to self-publishing, and I have done it that way since. If you do all the work, it’s free, and you can spend the time and the money on the things that are more important in the process, such as getting an editor, paying someone to do the art on the cover, and marketing.
What do you do when a new idea jumps out at you while you’re still working on a book? Do you chase the squirrel (aka “UP syndrome”) or do you finish your current project first?
If I am entrenched in a current project and another idea comes to me that is not usable in the story I’m working on, I usually write it out as best as I can without taking too long to do so. I write some key points, enough so that later on when I’m ready for it, it’ll be clear to me what I want. I did write two books at one time once, but I don’t recommend it. Its much better to finish the one you’re working on, and start a new one when you’re satisfied you have the current one the way you want it.
Describe your writing process. Do you outline, plot and plan, or is your writing more organic?
Generally the story pops into my head at the weirdest times, whether it’s the middle of the night, or when I’m driving somewhere, or even when I used to go out on a walk every day at work. I got frustrated that when I returned back to the building and wanted to write the idea down, I’d forgotten it by then, so I bought myself a mini voice recorder and carried it around with me. Most of the time it’s just a scene that I have in my head rather than a storyline, like a conversation between two characters, or a battle scene. Sometimes it’s just something simpler like a street name or the name of a town that catches my fancy. In that instance I usually just jot it down in a notebook for later.
Tell us what you enjoy most about writing fantasy.
I am generally a stressful person. I try not to be but in reality I worry a lot. I have a job, and a husband, and kids, and most of the time my brain is full to capacity with every day problems and worries. I have always enjoyed reading fantasy and sci-fi over anything else, and I guess it’s because it’s an escape from everything else. I love the way imagination has no boundaries in fantasy. You can be anywhere, anytime, and be anyone. There’s nothing present that is based in reality, at least not a reality we’re accustomed to in this century, and I like the way it feels to be in it. I’ve always admired the way fantasy writers could make you feel like you were there in the story, even though it was impossible. Going to sleep with images that do not pertain to anything based in reality brings me a sense of peace.
Have you been able to incorporate your previous experience in radio and community theater in your writing?
Really the only aspects from radio and community theater that I have incorporated into my writing is the diversity of the people I have met in both industries. Community theater people are generally odd, with many aspects to their personalities and usually full of color. They are pretty easy going and I like my characters to be diverse and to not follow the usual path of what most people would call normal.
Do you identify with your main character or did you create a character that is your opposite?
My characters are my alter ego. I can be a strong and stubborn woman when I want to be when it comes to something I believe in, but I am not brave. I have a hard time doing new things, or changing my lifestyle or habits out of fear of failure. I was always outgoing as a youth, but not with strangers. I was teased a lot, and growing up I always wished I could stand up for myself more and become more than I was just to prove I was worth something. As I got older, I realized that being eccentric and odd could be an asset when writing. The odd girl always becomes more than expected, and she is strong. My protagonists can take care of themselves and others, while still feeling vulnerable at times, and needing the love of another person. They don’t take any bull off anyone and they know how to protect the ones they care about. They also show exotic beauty with an unnatural strength.
Description: The Kingdom of Aelethia has been quiet for five hundred years, but the Dark One is rising from out of the depths. All of Aelethia will perish unless the Chosen One comes forward to save them. Unfortunately, the Chosen One doesn’t know her destiny in the world; she only knows she is odd and confused about where her destiny lies.
She wants to find love, but the men in her life that actually love her, she cannot have, and the only one that wants her is as evil as they come. The elves know of her destiny and must tell her and train her in time in order to fulfill the prophesy that has been laid out before her. Can she become the person they have waited for?
Can she, in time, destroy the evil that is threatening to overtake her kingdom? With friends to guide her and a man to whom she truly loves beside her, she may be able to save Aelethia from doom.
About the Author
Find her online: leandramartin.com
