WWR: Leanne, since this is your first interview with WWR, can you give us a brief rundown of your writing career? How long have you been writing? Do you write under any other names, etc.?
Leanne: I’ve been writing for many more years than I like to count now. I started when I was 13. My mom bought me a few First Loves from Silhouettes (their YA line in the 1980s) and I immediately started writing my own love stories. I actually completed that story. I still have the notebook paper with the faded pencil scribbling in my file cabinet. Was the story good? For a first attempt of a seventh grader I’d have to say yes. Would it be publishable in YA today? No.
I do have another pen name I write under when I am working with my writing partner. We have a four book project originally targeted to Harlequin Blaze, but until my partner finishes her doctorate all plans are on hold.
WWR: You're first release, Victory's Gate, is in The Wild Rose Press' Through the Garden Gate. Can you tell us about the story and how it came to be chosen for this series?
Leanne: Victory’s Gate is the American Rose winner in the Through the Garden Gate contest. The criteria for the contest required each story to begin in Bury, Lancashire, England in present day 2007 at a cottage where the heroine is vacationing. When she walks through the garden gate she’s transported in time to one of four time periods where she finds true love. The time periods were Regency, American Western, Civil War, and Vintage (1900-1960s).
I chose Civil War because when I thought about the premise and closed my eyes I had the vision of a woman walking out of a door into a battle zone in Charleston, SC. Of course, as most writers know, what you think happens in your books, isn’t always what gets put down on page when you write them. My heroine does go to Charleston, SC, but she walks out of a misty fog during the early morning hours and comes face to face with a Union regiment.
According to my editor, Victory’s Gate was chosen because it was beautifully written and had all the elements of a civil war love story. She said when she read mine she knew she’d found her story for the American Rose line.
WWR: We'd love to know how you structure your time when you're working on a book. Do you have a set schedule? Do you work with an outline or synopsis...or do you "fly by the seat of your pants" so to speak?
Leanne: With Victory’s Gate I had literally 12 weeks to write it by the time I learned about the contest. It was late May and the contest deadline was Aug. 30. I had to use my time wisely and produce pages to get the story completed. I have to thank my critique partners for keeping me on track. We met every week and they picked my work apart, nailing them if they didn’t think I was making the characters true to the time period.
I typically don’t write with an outline or a synopsis. When I hit a snag, I do try to write the synopsis to help me press forward, but I find my most productivity is when I let the story flow. Then I go back and tailor my synopsis or outline to the story. If that is what you consider “flying by the seat of you pants” then I guess I am one.
When I’m working on a story I try to write as much as possible every day until I get to the point where the words stop flowing and I feel I’ve hit a bump in the road. A good example is my current WIP. I was working on it when I learned about the Garden Gate contest and as soon as I submitted Victory’s Gate I went back to it because I want to submit it to WRP for consideration.
WWR: What's been the most memorable moment of your writing career? What would you like to see in the future?
Leanne: I thought having Victory’s Gate win the American Rose line be published was tops, but I’ve been on the best selling American Rose book since it’s release. I’ve also been told Victory’s Gate is currently ranked #9 on the paranormal page.
I’d like to see my current WIP published in print.
WWR: Do you like to hear from readers? What's the strangest comment or question a reader has ever sent/asked you?
Leanne: I love to hear from readers. Many of the folks who read my book drop by my office at work and tell me how they liked it, how proud they are of me for doing it, give us more love scenes in the next one. One person even said she wanted more of the story. She didn’t want it to end when it did. Those kinds of kudos always make you feel good, but it also makes you want your next book to be even better than the first.
WWR: For others still waiting on "THE CALL", do you have any advice to share? Can you tell us about your "CALL"?
Leanne: My advise for those still waiting on “the call” is don’t give up. It will happen. Believe in your writing and don’t let others tear you down with their criticism or negative comments. My mom was the worst because I’d been writing forever and she’d always say “I thought you were giving that up?” or “Haven’t you been working on that long enough. Maybe you need to do something else with your life.” Of course her tune has changed since I sold Victory’s Gate. She was happy when I called her and she seems to understand why I go to critique and leave my son with her every week or that I have to go to a book store and hang out at signings even if my book isn’t in print, because I’m spreading the work about my own that can be downloaded.
My “call” wasn’t a call at all. It was an email notification. But unlike those who receive a phone call. I can save it to my hard drive and I have it printed off for my records. Sure it would have been great to answer the phone and hear, “WE WANT TO BUY YOUR BOOK.” But I still screamed with joy when I read the email.
WWR: Okay, now, we have to ask for all those who will fall in love with your first story...how many books do you expect to have out this time next year? If you already know, we'd love to know the titles and release dates. And, if you can, tell us a little something about your current work in progress!
Leanne: I hope to have my current WIP available by now or possibly before now.
WWR: Do you belong to any writing groups? Do you recommend aspiring authors join groups? If so, can you suggest which ones are the best investment for your career?
Leanne: I am the founder of Smoky Mountain Romance Writers in Knoxville, TN. I also belong to our parent chapter Romance Writers of America.
Anyone interested in writing should join a writers group. Professional skills and networking is available through sponsored conferences and events. You can also meet with editors and agents.
I think a local chapter of an organization is your best starting ground because you want to be able to have face to face meetings or networking sessions with others who are at the same level as you.
WWR: Do you have a website that readers can visit to keep up with your career and upcoming releases? Do you recommend other authors (published or not) have a site?
Leanne: My website is www.leannetyler.com. I also have a newsletter and encourage anyone who wants to stay in the loop on what’s going on to sign up. I have a myspace and shoutlife sites as well as blogspot.
I most definitely encourage any author, published or not to invest in a website or a myspace page. It is one way to connect with your readers on the internet. A great venu for promotion.
WWR: Do you have any plans for a book tour? Appearances?
Leanne: I won’t be doing a book tour yet. I will be attending the 2008 Readers and Authors Get Together hosted by Lori Foster, Dianne Castell, and Linda Keller in Ohio, June 6-8. And I look forward to meeting lots of readers at the event.
WWR: We appreciate Leanne taking the time to share some about Victory's Gate and her writing career with us!
