Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.
I’m Ellis Leigh, USA Today bestselling author of paranormal and sci-fi romance. I like fur, fangs, and long walks through creepy forests late at night.
When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?
I think the later books become harder mostly because, as authors, we build entire universes in our minds. All those details–all the foreshadowing that happens along the way–has to be logged and tracked somehow. The farther along a book is in a series, the more re-reading of past books I have to do to jog my memory.
What comes first? The plot or characters
Characters. Always. Every books starts as a GIF in my head of a particular moment in time. That moment tends to spotlight the overall goal of that character. The character profile fills in from that, then the plot builds around that moment. Character is always primary, though.
What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?
I met her! I adore Kelley Armstrong, and I was lucky enough to meet her at the RWA convention in New York. Her Women Of The Otherworld series inspired me to revisit my love of paranormal romance, and I am forever a fan of hers for that.
If you could ask that author three questions about their writing, writing process, or books, what would they be?
How do you build your characters to have such depth and personality? As a genre skipper, how much reading do you do in the genre you’re writing in at the moment? Can I have Jeremy Danvers, please?
What is harder? The blurb writing, naming the book, or naming the series.
All of it. Every single aspect because it affects marketing and visibility. I may want to name a paranormal romance some super simple name, but I have to be able to show a reader what’s inside at a glance. Cover, title, subtitle, and blurb are vital to a book’s success for sure.
What is your favorite memory so far as an author?
I was at a reader convention once, standing in line at the coffee shop at like six in the morning in my pajamas and hoodie. Picture it–no makeup, messy hair, bleary eyed. I’m talking fresh out of bed with no shame. It was at that moment a reader of mine came running across the lobby SCREAMING my name. She was so excited to meet me that I couldn’t even be mad when she snapped a selfie with me. I wanted to, and I’m sure somewhere out there is a horrible picture of me trying hard to smile pre-coffee, but she was a gift. I will forever be grateful for that moment of being seen.
What is your definition of success?
I don’t think I have one for myself. I always have goals–financial, production, noticeability–but nothing I could say is a direct component of “success.” Ask me in another five years.
What are your social links?
• https://www.facebook.com/ellisleighwrites
• https://twitter.com/ellis_writes
• http://instagram.com/ellis_and_kristin
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/feralbreed/
What are your buy links?