Interview With Author Mary Odile LeClair
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I'm an author living in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Originally, I'm born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I'm 41, and married to an amazing and awesome man named Adam. We've been together coming up on seven years, August 2024. No kids, but yes cats.
My first book, 'Concrete Jungle,' was released in September, 2021 on Amazon, through Kindle-Direct Publishing, as well as through my own writing production company, 'Room with a View Productions.'
My next two books are coming out next year, in 2024. My next suspense/thriller fiction book is, 'Sidewalk High,' and it will be coming out in January, 2024. I'm also releasing a cookbook, closer to the end of 2024.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
'Sidewalk High,' is the name of my newest, upcoming suspense/thriller book. The many different trials and tribulations of growing up is what has inspired this book. The choices we make, or don't. What we choose to be a part of, or not. It's about different levels of life, and the many different people in it. It's about life and death and everything in between. It's about growing up, sometimes quicker than we like. It's about learning the many lessons of the street, and not just the ones that you learn in a classroom. It comes from many different perceptions and multiple views, and the characters are all inspired by real life. It's about standing up for what you believe in, even if you stand alone.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn't say that they're unusual, to me. I tend to do a lot of my writing when I'm not sitting down to write. Sometimes, sitting down and actually trying to do so, can block your creativity and be a hinderance. I find that I write plenty, just while observing everyday life, in person and online, and then actually writing it down and organizing it, but later on.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favourite authors are Stephen King, Susanna Kaysen and Jeannette Walls. The three books that have definitely influenced me are:
'The Body,' by Stephen King.
'Girl, Interrupted,' by Susanna Kaysen.
'The Glass Castle,' by Jeannette Walls.
Three of my favourite books, ever. I'd highly recommend them. I was able to relate to these books on a deeper level, and they were extremely helpful to me in many ways. They still are.
What are you working on now?
I'm working on my next suspense/thriller fiction book, 'Sidewalk High,' due out in January, 2024.
Also coming out near the end of 2024, will be my first ever cookbook! So excited!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use a lot of social media every day, in order to promote my books. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok are what I use the most, however, my most preferred method though, would have to be my own official author website that I personally run, at:
https://delleleclair.wixsite.com/rwavproductions
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice is to never give up and keep at it, you'll only get better with time and experience. Persistence pays off. Always work on two projects at once, so if you feel like you're getting overwhelmed with one, you can go to the other. In the end, you'll get double the work done, in the same amount of time. At least, that's what works best for me.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
"It's not about what you want to do, it's about what you do." Stella Robichaud (Aged 4).
What are you reading now?
Right now, I'm currently reading 'Stephen King in His Own Words,' by Stephen King (obviously) & 'The Interpretation of Dreams,' by Sigmund Freud. Both of them are super interesting and enthralling. I can't put them down!
What’s next for you as a writer?
After I complete 'Sidewalk High,' and my planned cookbook in 2024, I do also have some other things planned with my previous book, 'Concrete Jungle.' I would love to make it (and all of my upcoming books), available in an audiobook book format. Currently, they're all available (or will be available) in eBook, paperback, and hardcover formats, but these days it's easier for a lot of people to listen to a book, instead of being able to sit down and actually read one. So I'd like to do that for those people, specifically.
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?
'The Body.' by Stephen King.
'Girl, Interrupted.' by Susanna Kaysen.
'The Dictionary.' by Merriam-Webster.
'How to Get Off a Desert Island.' by Someone.
I'd read them in that order too, so that I could do so peacefully, and uninterrupted, before I departed the island.
Author Websites and Profiles
Mary Odile LeClair Amazon Profile
Mary Odile LeClair’s Social Media Links