Author Bio:
Leandra Martin was born in Southbridge, Massachusetts. From early on she was a book worm, reading anything she could get her hands on, but her biggest love was fantasy/science fiction, such as the works of David Eddings and Roger Zelazny. As a child she wrote a couple of children’s books, but knew that writing a novel was what she wanted to do. She received an AA degree in Broadcasting/Communications, spent a few years in radio, and participated for many years in community theater. She currently lives in Oregon with her husband, two boys and their blue eyed canine named Jett.
What inspires you to write?
I want to be able to travel into another realm, and do things that I wouldn’t normally do here, whether because its impossible or because I don’t have the courage. I want to tell a story that inspires, that readers, especially female readers, can relate to. I love to paint a picture of grand things, of a world you can’t really go to, but can see it so vividly in your head, you believe it is real. My kids inspire me to delve into imagination and dreams, and with them I can see things I never thought possible.
Tell us about your writing process.
I don’t really have a process that I could pass on, except to always have paper and pen ready so you can jot down an idea when it presents itself, and believe me, it can present itself at weird times. So always be ready! I sit down and write whenever I can, but usually the scenes are random and not a continuation of where I left off the last time I sat down. I will just write whatever comes to mind and if it doesn’t fit into where I am in the story, I save it and use it later when I get to the point in the story where I feel it fits. I do draw a map so I can keep track of where everything is- it helps tremendously with timeline, and I always have a character description sheet so I can keep track of people- their physical attributes, habits and personality.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I will usually read the conversation out loud. It helps to make sure the inflection you use for a particular character sounds right. I also tend to ask what a particular character would do in the situation they’re in. I put myself into the character and really picture them in the scene.
What advice would you give other writers?
Never stop writing. Even if you feel you have writer’s block, sit down and write. Even if its nonsense, it still counts as writing and it will eventually start the juices flowing. Pay attention to the world and people around you. There is always a landscape or person that fits what you imagine in your story, so use them. Use baby names books to find names, not only for people but for towns, cities etc. It’s better to find cool names rather than trying to come up with one in your head. If you can, that’s great and you should go with that, but if you’re not all that proficient at it, baby name books help. And remember, names that are too difficult to pronounce frustrates your reader. Make it memorable but not too difficult to enunciate.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
The world of self-publishing has come a long way. there are so many options out there and you need to decide what’s best for you. As a reader, I would prefer to make my own judgement on a book, rather than following what a publisher thinks is a best-seller. I wanted to get my books into the hands of the readers, so they can judge whether or not the book has merit. I have started to send out the manuscript, even though it’s been self-published, to some agencies but I will continue to self-publish in the meantime. I feel that my money is better spent on marketing and a cover artist rather than the publishing end. If you are fairly savvy with the computer, self-publishing is easy.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I don’t think the physical book will go away any time soon, at least not in my lifetime, but I think the options are going to continue to get more vast. I think there will be interactive books, and the e-readers are going to expand as well. There will always be people out there like me, the purists who would never balk at anyone reading on a device, but who do not prefer to have their books in that format. I enjoy the feel, look and smell of books and I could never give that up.
What do you use?
Professional Cover Designer
What genres do you write?
Scince-Fiction and Fantasy
What formats are your books in?
Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Leandra Martin Home Page Link
Link To Leandra Martin Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4135254.Leandra_Martin
http://www.facebook.com/leandrabooks
