Welcome Leisl!
You write paranormal romance & romantic suspense. What attracted you to these genres?
I read them and love to read them. I was also brought up watching and reading sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal shows and books (my mum breastfed me while watching Star Trek), and so I think it’s in my genes.
Are you a plotter? Panster? Or somewhere in-between?
A Pantser. I cannot plot before writing a book. If I do my brain gets bored because it thinks it’s already written it.
What is your favourite part of the writing process?
I love all parts. There are frustrations with the writing and editing processes, but the glory of sitting down and getting the story onto the page is amazing, as is turning that word vomit first draft into a gem with good editing.
Tell us about your author services.
I am an author mentor and manuscript assessor. I have my own little side business as well as doing work for the SA Writer’s Centre. With the author mentoring, I have online chats with authors to help them through the process of writing a novel and giving little teaching sessions on various writing techniques. With the assessing, I read a manuscript and then give a report as well as writing notes on at least the first part of the manuscript to help a writer shape their novel into something that could be submitted or published. I enjoy doing both of these things. Working with authors and helping them to reach their goals is a pleasure and a privilege.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Learn. Keep learning. Don’t think you know it all because you are a reader. And don’t think you know it all because you get a contract. There is always room for learning and improving.
How do you fill the creative well?
Reading and watching TV shows and movies as well as just getting out and doing things I enjoy like singing with a choir or doing fun things with my family.
What is next for you?
Continuing to write the 3 series I am actively working on (Gods Cursed, Blood-Rites and Dawn of the Curse) as well as working on some side-projects as well. I am also focusing on doing some special editions of my books and also translations. Very excited about both these things.
What is your latest release and your inspiration behind it?
A Love Cursed Christmas Wish is my latest release. The inspiration? Christmas. I love Christmas. I was born at Christmas and know this to be both a blessing and problematic, but I always try to focus on the blessing rather than the problems. I wanted to write a book that focused on this as well – Christmas spirit all the way.
Leisl Leighton
Leisl is a tall red head with an overly large imagination. As a child, she identified strongly with Anne of Green Gables. A voracious reader and a born performer, it came as no surprise to anyone when she did a double major in English Literature and Drama for her BA, then went on to a career as an actor, singer and dancer, as well as script writer, stage manager and musical director for cabaret and theatre restaurants (one of which she co-owned and ran for six years).
After starting a family Leisl stopped performing and instead, began writing the stories that had been plaguing her dreams. Leisl's stories have won and placed in many competitions in Australia and the US, including the STALI, Golden Opportunities, Heart of the West, Linda Howard Award of Excellence, Touch of Magic and many others.
Leisl lives in the leafy suburbs of Melbourne with her two beautiful boys, lovely hubby, overly spunky dog, Buffy, and likes to spend time with family and friends. She sometimes sings in a choir and works as a swim teacher in her day-to-day job.
Visit Leisl at: leislleighton.com
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