Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
When I was younger I never stopped writing until I was nine, when one of the girls in my class had enough of me being praised and tore up my newest story. After that I didn’t write until I was eleven and what came out scared me. I never expected I would write about kidnappings and torture when I was that age. There was a few time’s throughout the years that I tried to write but the story was never there. Then just over three years ago I started to write a story that I was actually liking. After a couple of months working on it I decided it wouldn’t go anywhere because my dreams would never come true.
Thankfully the story would not leave my head in peace until I eventually sat down and wrote it almost two years later. I sent it away to a publishers and after four days I had a reply from them saying that they wanted my book. It has now been over a year since I had the email back from them and I also have two more books out in different genres, yet I am still in shock that I am actually living the dream that I had thought was impossible and I don’t know when it will truly sink in. Until then I am going to continue to write and grow in a way I never would have thought I could.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My newest book is called Anita: Falling and is about a young girl trying to deal with depression.
I have dealt with depression since I was young and overcame the worst of it years ago. Since I came out of my comfort zone at the beginning of last year, I have kept seeing and hearing things about people with depression that are untrue and completely misunderstanding of the illness. I want Anita: Falling to help people to understand that depression isn’t just a bad day and how much damage is done before people suffering from it will come out and say that they have a problem. There is no need for depression to completely ruin anyone’s lives if it is understood in its true nature. It’s something I will always be passionate about helping people to understand because the way in which most people deal with mental illnesses does not help anyone.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write at nights as I can’t concentrate during the day because there is too much going on. I usually scour you tube for music that I think will work with the story that I am writing. Then I bookmark them so that I can bring them all up before I start writing so when I need to change songs I can do it quickly. When I finish what I’m working on the main songs that helped me go on to my mp3 player so that I can listen to them while I’m sorting out the next book in my head. I also make sure that I have a stash of treats so that I can force myself to start writing when I’m not feeling it. Those times are usually when I get the most done once I manage to sit still.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Terry Pratchett has been my favourite writer for over a decade. The way he doesn’t go with the norm in his books has always inspired me to think outside the box. The story that made me write my first fantasy book however was a short story by Holly Black called Noble rot which I read in a book called Naked city. I think the two things put together gave me the idea that I could write the book that I wanted to and pointed me in the right direction to do it. Since then I can’t stop writing or spending my spare time thinking of what to write. Writing is very addictive.
What are you working on now?
I am working on the next part of Anita. It doesn’t have a name yet. It won’t be the same as the first short story as it wouldn’t fit with what I want to do with it. I have chosen to do a six short stories for Anita that will all be about her but written in different ways to show the different phases people go through within depression and while coming out the other side. Hopefully when they’re all finished I will be able to put them all together in a paperback version. It is going to take a while to complete it all but it’s something I really want to do because it will help people.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
To be honest promotion isn’t what I’m best at. My luck for finding ways to promote my books seems to be turning now but I have had months of getting no where fast. I think patience, a lot of research and definitely building a following even before your first book is out would be very worthwhile. I however, like always, went back to front. I have always been too stubborn to give up on what I’ve really wanted though, which tends to mean those things come through for me in the end.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Remember at all times that you are chasing a dream that will live on past you. It’s hard work but it’s worth it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A teacher told me to remember that everything is biased. If he hadn’t told me that and I hadn’t taken note, I wouldn’t be able to write from any point view that I don’t have and have it be realistic.
What are you reading now?
I have been reading Flirts! 5 romantic short stories by Lisa Scott for the past few nights. They are very cute romantic stories that have been making me think that it might be nice to be in a relationship which is rare for me.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am now sorting/writing the next story for Anita. I have the basic outline fixed and a few characters in place so it’s time to start writing the basic story. I write in layers and there haven’t been less then three goes through before sending my stories off for reading yet. I already have everything in place for when I’m ready for the next stage.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1)The biggest book of stories that I haven’t read yet from any genre.
2)I have a book called Weird that is a collection of one hundred short stories that I need to read through again when I have a chance.
3)My book of ‘one thousand curious things you should know’ from the eighteen hundreds because there might be something in there that’s useful.
4)Some sort of survival book, I’m not into them personally but I think it would be a good idea as I’m mostly useless in outdoor survival situation and would probably end up eating something that would kill me otherwise.
Author Websites and Profiles
Leanne Waller Website
Leanne Waller Amazon Profile
Leanne Waller’s Social Media Links