About Leslie Watts:
I grew up in Maine, but came to Texas for school and stayed. I attended law school in Austin, and took a job as a briefing attorney and then staff attorney with two judges on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. It was about this time that I found Natalie Goldberg and had the great pleasure of studying with her. Writing Practice opened up a whole new world for me. Writing was no longer just a way to deliver necessary information through articles and briefings, but a mode of personal expression and a way to work out tricky problems. My writing partner and I have a standing date on Sundays at 6:00 and we’ve shared our writing practice for ten years. I also participate in an online writing group that includes Natalie’s current and former students. Writing has become an integral part of my self-care regimen, and how I stay centered and grounded in myself.
I am currently Co-Captain of Writership, an online community of people committed to the craft of writing. I’m working on my first novel (a mystery set in Concord, Massachusetts) and a nonfiction book on gentle and conscious parenting.
What inspires you to write?
For me, writing is a way of life. Whatever else I’ve been doing: college, law school, working as an attorney, being a mother, I’ve been writing. I find inspiration every where I go and everything I experience.
Tell us about your writing process.
When I start on a project, I create an outline, like setting an intention for where I want to go. Once I have an idea of the basic structure, I start writing. The outline is a guide, but I never feel hamstrung by it. I write a fast and lean first draft, not necessarily in a straight line. I like to bounce around and go where I’m feeling most drawn at the moment. Once it’s done, I let it rest for a while (a day or two for a blog post, a month for a longer piece). I bring my fresh eyes to the page and edit the heck out of it.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
My characters mainly speak to me through freewriting, though I do receive inspiration while in the shower, taking walks, or helping my kids fall asleep at night. I use the Enneagram to help me get a sense for who they are.
What advice would you give other writers?
My best advice is to find a community of writers, write regularly, study the craft, experiment, and find what works best for you. Above all, keep writing.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I’ve chosen to self-publish in part because I want more control over my books than I can get through traditional publishing. I recommend that new authors investigate the pros and cons and make the decision that feels right to them.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I’m excited about self-publishing and the means for more people to share their words with others.
What do you use?: Co-writer, Professional Editor, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?: Writing guides, gentle and conscious parenting, and mystery
What formats are your books in?: eBook
Website(s)
Leslie Watts Home Page Link
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