Monday, September 22, 2008

Shannon Leigh

*Having Technical Issues Sorry For The Layout/Run Together*


Author Pen Name: Shannon Leigh

CA: What genre(s) do you write?




SL: I mainly do paranormal stories, which includes vampires, werewolves, ghost, demons, guardians, time-travel, etc. I have one contemporary, and I'm currently working on two science fiction stories. Currently, I've only written romance or erotica. I'd like to venture into some other genres--thrillers, horror, fantasy--but I'll probably stick with the romance for a while.



CA: Why do you write the stories that you write?



SL: I have always loved paranormal stuff--fantasy, magic, unicorns, dragons, fairies. I started reading romance stories when I was about 12. When I started writing, it just seemed natural to me to put the two together.




CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?


SL: I've actually been writing since elementary school. My first story was a Friday the 13th type tale that involved my classmates. We were given a project at school to write a short story that would then be put on file in the library. Most of the kids wrote a couple a pages and had their books combined into one binding. Mine was a whopping 13 pages--pretty good for a ten-year-old--and was bound by itself. I was pretty proud of myself. After that, I wrote a lot of little stories for myself, mainly romances. My friends usually read them, but I never really thought about getting them published. It wasn't until I was about 27 when I realized I needed to do something with my stories. I'd started on a book called Immortal Desires. When I finished it, I knew I wanted to see it in publication so I started on a new quest and in 2002, it was published by DLSIJ Press in both ebook and print.




CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?


SL: I read a lot of fantasy novels--Anne McCaffrey, Piers Anthony. At the time I started Immoral Desires, I was dedicated watcher of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Those shows really got my creative juices flowing.



CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?


SL: Well, I unfortunately have to work a full-time job, so that cuts in to a lot of my time. I'm also a single mother of four wonderful boys, who also demand a lot of my attention. I'm always working on one writing project or another (right now I'm actually working on 5!) so I have to squeeze it in whenever I can. Night seems to be my most productive time, after all the kids are in bed.




CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?


SL: Ecstatic! I love knowing my hard work is about to be tangible. I don't expect to get rich writing, so it's never been about money. I love hearing favorable reviews from my readers, that makes it all worth while.




CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?


SL: I like to draw. Erotic artwork and fantasy are my favorites. I also love to scrapbook (I've spent a small fortune in supplies!) And if possible, I try to catch up on a little reading.




CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?


SL: I've written two full-length stories, and seven short stories. My favorite...hmm...that's a tough one. Of course my first will always hold a special place, but I guess my second, which I'd actually thought about for years before writing, would have to be my favorite. The characters really came to life for me. One of the stories I'm working on is the sequel. I've had to set it aside for a while to finish up some contractual works, but I hope to get back to it soon. I hate leaving my characters in limbo.




CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?


SL: Everything I write comes strictly from my imagination. Sometimes I scare myself. ha haI'll go back and read something I've written and think, "Where in the world do I get this stuff!"




CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?


SL: My website has links to all my books, as well as ones I'm working on. Anyone is welcome to email me personally if they have questions/comments. And all my books are available directly from the publishers as well.

My website: www.angelfire.com/planet/shannon_leigh
My email: author_shannon_leigh@hotmail.com
My My Space: www.myspace.com/author_shannon_leigh
My Blog: http://authorshannonleigh.blogspot.com/
Amber Quill Press: http://www.amberquill.com/
DLSIJ Press: http://www.dlsijpress.com/

Wild Child Publishing: http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/

Join my newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shannon_Leigh_Newsletter

Come Blog with me:http://authorshannonleigh.blogspot.com/

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! right up my alley!
--tgreaper

Anonymous said...

Ohhhhh now THAT is a cover! *wiping drool from chin* Ms Leigh sounds like a fascinating woman, and my word -- any one who can balance a job, writing, and raising 4 boys has got to be a dynamo. Brilliant!

Dena said...

Shannon's interview was great. She writes books that I like so I'm going to check her out.

Asylumgirl said...

Where do you get this stuff, indeed? Keep it coming Shannon! I agree with cannibal rose on the cover....gorgeous!

Deidre
deidre_durance@hotmail.com

Zulmara said...

Love that you have been writing since elementary school...I share your pain...I also have to work a full time job...that eats into my writing time...lol...

ADELANTE!!!

Zulmara