Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Leon Edwards and my background is an accountant specialising in tax as well as preparing accounts.
I have been an accountant for 21 years now dealing with small businesses.
I became an author when I turned forty years of age and looked back at what I have always wanted to achieve.
Weirdly enough, becoming an author was not high on my agenda. I actually had dreams of becoming an actor when I was five. This carried on till I reached fifteen and thought I was kidding myself.
I mulled over getting into acting again when I turned thirty and looked into it. But knocked it on the head.
I then turned forty and looked into it and this time went on a taster course. After a few weeks of deliberating, I decided not to go ahead. I thought about the long unsociable hours and missing my newly wife.
Throughout the whole idea of becoming an actor, I developed lots of story ideas in my head and already created a beginning, middle and end. I imagined becoming a writer for the silver screen and making my own movie with my stories already established inside my head.
So after turning forty and coming to the realisation of not acting, I had a light bulb moment. Why don’t I put my story ideas to paper and pen, in my case a laptop.
I had to mull over which story to write first and the one that will get me buzzing while writing the story.
I did not want to be one of those people who say I am going to do a bungee jump, travel the world and never do it. End up in my sixties at the pub and telling people I could have been an author but I couldn’t find the time.
So my first story that I had mulling in my mind for about three or four years was a female spy character. I based the character on James Bond of course but stripped out the wooden features. Don’t get me wrong, I love all the James Bond films but I wanted the emotions to come out. So when the latest actor came along and showed those emotions, I felt about time.
I also wanted the character to be vulnerable and not strong and indestructible. I wanted the villain to have to be a physio path rather than just a bad guy wanting to kill everything insight.
So my first book was ‘Jane Knight Rogue Officer’. Since completing my first book, I have now written six to date. They are Blind Love, Eternity Wing And A Pray, Jane Knight Fair Game, To The Stars and Ponta Delgada A Good Place To Die.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest books I have written are the last two I named. They are To The Stars and Ponta Delgada A Good Place To Die.
My inspirations for the last two books and indeed all six comes from watching loads of movies. I am a movie buff. My favourite of all time is Star Wars saga. I have no idea why. I am not like a trekkie fan that goes to conventions dress as their favourite character. I would say it was the technology of its time.
So going back to the last two books, To The Stars is based on a film that starred Dakota Fanning called ‘Now Would Be Good.’ I have no idea if it was based on a novel or a screen writer. I went with my now wife to see it and we cried together when getting back to the car. We were surprised how much it touched us.
So I would say that film inspired me to write To The Stars telling the story from a character who is ordinary. You would not pick her out from the crowd.
The second most recent book is Ponta Delgada A Good Place To Die. My inspiration of the location is from a Alfred Hitchcock Film called To Catch A Thief and the mission impossible films.
I wanted to have a mission impossible theme that deals with a snippet of how ruthless drug cartels are. Then having the main plot to try to stop a poisonous drug from entering the drug trade that can potentially kill millions because of its mass production factory.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My unusual writing habit is now writing two books together, back to back. I like to make sure they are completely different genres so not get bogged down with the same theme.
I have to make sure a chapter is finished before I stop writing for the day. I have a bug bear of a half finished chapter.
My chapters have to be within a number of words to feel satisfied that I have written a good chapter. Some times I have written enough content but falls below my word limit. I just live with it so long as I am happy with the content.
My other writing habit is changing the plot slightly and having no idea which chapters are affected. Also I get the continuity issue that my proof reader and editor reminds me each time. But it is a safe net like how I prepare my accountancy work.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I do not have a book that influences me as I love films and it is that, that influences my plots. However I do have a favourite author who’s name I can never remember. His name is Harlan Coben. I have only read about four of his books. His writing reminds me of movies and so that is why I like his work.
It is interesting as some of his style of writing I am not used to but overall I like his plots and how the stories unfold. My older sister got me into his books as we have similar likes.
I had not heard of him at all before that. The book that stands out is ‘Tell No One’ and ‘Just One Look’.
When I am retired from accountancy, I will read all his books.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on two more books. A crime thriller based on a unsolved disappearance The second book is about a young woman in her twenties who accidentally falls into a boxing career without actually knowing.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still struggling. Of course it is Awesome Gang. I have tried Written Word Media and Book Raid. I am still dipping my toe into various ways to make my work known. I am glad that I am writing because I love it than for the money and recognition. Because I would have given up after my first book.
The real struggle of advertising is pigeon holing your work. My books are based on emotions and facing adversity. I write these in various genres except horror and paranormal/ fantasy. So my books could fit in more than genre. It is finding the right genre to advertise for.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
The best advice I can say for new authors is write from your heart. Not your head. If you write from your head, you will chase the money and your art will get lost.
I have found from experience being a self employed accountant is that the money came last. I crafted my work and found ways of streamlining my accountancy process. Once I got this right, the recognition from word of mouth came and the money then followed.
Anyone can write a great story if it comes from the heart and wanting to bear your sole on paper, for everyone to see.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I have never had a good advice from anyone. I never did when getting into accountancy. But one advice I had was be yourself and try not to be someone your not. People will see through that.
Show your personality and people will love how you work and understand your novels.
What are you reading now?
I am currently not reading as I am scared that I will read a really good story plot and accidentally copy it for myself. Then get sued. I find that if I read a good book, it will effect my story telling and fall in the trap of copying some else’s style and lose my own.
Films never seem to effect my writing as they are not my themes in relating to my work. When I read a book, they then to be the books I want to write.
However, I am in the process of getting into audio books. Have bought a Kindle and so want to listen to my books in the background. Music is getting boring now.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am in the process of doing an overhaul of my website. It happened to coincide with my current supplier closing his business. So have found another person who also does my book covers. Hoping it will be more engaging, including a blogger section.
I am still no where near to giving up accountancy and so continuing with this until the right time comes along.
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?
If I was stranded on an island, I would bring a solar powered tablet, if you could find one. Then have all of Harlan Coben books on them.
I would start with ‘One False Move’, ‘Hold Tight’ and ‘The Boy From The Woods’.
Author Websites and Profiles
Leon Edwards Website
Leon Edwards Amazon Profile
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Pinterest Account