Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.
Hey y’all! My name is Leigh Taylor and I write romance with southern charm. I am a proud native Texan and my love of all things Texas, cowboys and true southern gentlemen shines through in my novels. When I’m not at my day job or writing, I enjoy spending time with my rescue pup and attending Kpop concerts.
When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?
The others after it! I enjoy writing serial stand-alones so that readers can pick and chose titles if they want. I actually really love the first book because it sparks all the spin off storylines in my head. But keeping up with important details, leaving fun easter eggs for full series readers and the balance of making sure new readers understand the storyline thread without boring the series readers can be a real balancing act. You have to develop good timelines and take lots of notes to go back and study even though you created the story.
When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
For me, being able to explore different characters in the same world keeps it fresh. It’s fun for my to explore how the same events could be seen through multiple characters’ perspectives. I think as a writer it’s very refreshing to be able to envision what a small town, for instance, feels like across an entire group. People have such different experiences that shape them and I like seeing where characters take me during those types of world building exercises. I think readers are also drawn to being comfortable in a familiar world or storyline but with new insights or ideas. I also really love hiding little secrets or fun tidbits for readers as well. I hope they enjoy it too!
Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?
Don’t be afraid to work at your own pace. It can be difficult to see some authors releasing a book every 2-3 months and feeling like there’s no way you can keep up. It’s hard to write a book and it’s really hard to write a good book while also working, raising kids, caring for family. There may be times that you don’t have the time or emotional bandwidth to write and that’s okay. Do what you can on a schedule that heals your heart rather than breaks it. We’ll all reach our goals when it’s the right time!
On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?
Weekdays are harder for me because I work a full time job. I try to devote my lunch hour to things like rough edits for grammar or refining scenes. When i’m in a good writing mode, I try to devote 2-4 hours on weekend days to just get chapters built out. Sometimes I’m lucky and can get 1 or sometimes 2 chapters finished on a weekend and then clean them up during the week.
Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.
Beatrice Remington, hands down. Bea is a central character in my Worth the Wait series. She’s actually an important link between a lot of the characters in the series. The more time I spent on Bea’s character development, the more I realized I had reflected a lot of myself in her. As a writer, you leave a bit if yourself in every character but I left huge pieces of my heart to Bea. I really hope that any reader who struggles with anxiety and balancing their mental health will read Bea’s story and find a lot of strength in her character.
What is your definition of success?
This writing gig is hard so I try not to dream too big. I know we’re supposed to say we want to make best sellers’ lists and have our books turned into movies. But for me, knowing readers are experiencing my books and interacting with my characters is really fulfilling. My biggest success is when a reader reaches out to let me know they loved a book and are looking forward to my next release.
What are your social links?
https://www.instagram.com/leightaylorbooks/
https://www.facebook.com/LeighTaylorBooks/
What are your buy links? (Provide links to your Amazon/iBook’s/Koko/etc Author Home Page if you have quite a few. Also include audible links if applicable.)
https://www.amazon.com/author/leightaylorbooks
Want tickets to Writers on the River #2024?
They are available starting November 6th at Writersontheriver.com
$75 VIP Plus – 11-12 Lunch with the Authors , 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Limited Quantity expected to sell out first day*
$50 VIP -12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Expected to sell out first day*
$25 Early Access – 12-1 VIP house, 1-4 General Admission time. You also get a filled VIP bag but NO admission to the after party. *Expected to sell out opening day*
$10 General Admission – 1-4 General Admission time. You can purchase a bag but it is not filled with VIP swag. There is no admission to the after party included.
$35 After party – 7-11 After Party with food and cash bar. Dj with a photobooth is also included in the fun.