The Adaptation of YA Books To Films Is On The Rise. Here Are Some Of Them That Are In The Works In Hollywood.

With the success of Twilight and The Hunger Games, Hollywood has gone mad for YA novels especially those with a built in fan base.  

So in the hopes of continuing to catch lightening in a barrel, which I'm all for, they once again look to YA authors to help them hit a home run at the box office.  

Here are just a few YA book adaptations in the Hollywood pipeline:

The Uglies

The popular 2005 science fiction series by Scott Westerfeld takes place in a dystopian society in which everyone is considered an “Ugly” until they reach the age of 16, when they get turned into a “Pretty.” The story focuses specifically on teenager Tally Youngblood as she approaches the time of the transition and questions whether she really wants to go through with it. Further, 20th Century Fox and producer John Davis (Eragon) bought the film rights to adapt the first novel of the four-book series into film. The movie was originally scheduled to be released in the 2011, but was then pushed back and eventually canceled. Now, the flick is reportedly once again in the works, but it’s unclear when production will start.

The Here and Now

Alcon Entertainment, Alloy Entertainment, and Kira Davis’s 8:38 Productions have teamed up to acquire film rights to Ann Brashares’s latest YA novel, The Here and Now, which was released in April of this year. The three companies adapted Brashares’s previous bestselling books, the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, into a 2005 film and 2008 sequel. The novel follows a 17-year-old girl from the future who immigrated to New York when she was twelve to save the world from a mosquito-born illness headed their way. Alcon’s Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson will co-produce with Davis alongside Alloy president Les Morgenstein and VP of Alloy features Elysa Dutton.  

The Queen of Tearling

The fantasy epic trilogy, described as a “female-oriented Game of Thrones,” was purchased by publisher HarperCollins in February and the debut book was published in July. Warner Bros. has already acquired the rights to the book and Emma Watson, who has plenty of experience turning a much buzzed about series into film, has already signed on to star in and executive produce the film adaptation. Her participation in the film has already garnered fans’ interest, as the actress has previously declared she wouldn’t do another franchise. Former Harry Potter producer David Heyman has also reportedly already been hired.

Should be very interesting indeed!  Oh but wait there's more!  If you want more of a sneak peek--

Read more:  http://wallstcheatsheet.com/entertainment/14-ya-film-adaptations-sparked-by-hunger-games-success.html/?a=viewall#ixzz3JILNglRW

S. L. Danielson and Nephylim's Steamy Young Adult Romantic Novel-- Upstaged: Opening Act

S. L. (Stephanie) Danielson is an author of m/m romantic fiction. Her newest work is Upstaged: Opening Act which will be coming November 16th. My co-author is Nephylim, a splendid storyteller in how own right.

What is the name of your latest book? 

Upstaged: Opening Act.  

And how did you come up with the title? 

I thought of it. It is about a band, and the main couple is always fighting and trying to outdo the other; it fit perfectly.

What is this book about? 

Generally about a group of friends in a band together, and also about a couple of couples (two main ones). Mostly is it about Erik and Asher, who are world apart, but find a way to make beautiful music together.

And what genre is this book in? 

It is young adult gay romantic fiction. Any erotic scenes fade when it gets too hot.

Who is/are the main characters? 

The main people are Erik Von Nordgren and Asher Berkley. 

And why did you choose them? 

I chose Erik because he’s like a lot of the bad boys I write; but wanted to do a musical guy. Asher Nephy chose because he is gothic and an emo, very much her style.

What is the coolest or best part about your book?  (Any Favorite scenes, the world-building etc…)

I’d say the best part about this book is the buildup of this relationship. It’s on and off a lot, and we also see a lot of interaction with their friends too (Billy and Vince notably).

Do you have a favorite character in the book?  If so, why? 

Beyond my Erik, I’d say it’s a tie between Billy and Vince… but Billy will capture my heart, always. He’s wise, funny, cute, and the best friend anyone could ask for. He’s been through a lot, but would give you the shirt off his back. So would Vince, for that matter. I love them both.

Is this book part of a series? If so, what can we expect in future books? 

Yes, it is part of a series, and you can expect loads and loads of both drama and new characters introduced in each book (at least one each). We are on book #9 right now and we look back to see how far they’ve grown and changed and are amazed!

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Not a thing. We love it.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? 

I learned that Nephy and I write incredibly fast for one, and that we have a wonderful rapport with each other. We rarely argued about anything, except time or we were too tired to continue that night (lol)! But the best thing is that we had no holds barred. If we had an idea, we just did it, and even traded characters at times just to fill in what we felt they should say or do. It was truly glorious! We’d go off on tangents and whims and just did as our hearts desired.

Do you have a publisher?  And if so, why did you choose them?  

No, we are doing this independently by choice.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? 

William Maltese.

What books are you reading now? 

None at the moment, as my pleasure reading has ground to a temporary halt.

What are the current writing projects that you are working on? 

Beyond Upstaged, we are (Nephy and I) are working on another book about the dark fae, and plan to make that a series as well. We are also independently entered in the November Novel in a month contest. She has hers outlined, I have an idea, but have yet to start.

Do you write full time?  If not, do you hope to do so one day? 

No, though on the weekends is it over 8 hours/day.  I would love to, but have many hobbies I wish to pursue as well, so maybe not full time just yet.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

As soon as I could write I was writing stories and drawing as young as 5. I’ve always been writing.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Sometimes the title eludes me or how to end it.

Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time?

First, make sure your story follows a decent outline, and that you have ways to fill in the gaps or cut back if too wordy…but never give up on your story. I’ve had to rewrite books multiple times to get them how I want them.

Thanks Steph for Dropping By!

You can find out more about her work at: 

http://ladyauthorsld.blogspot.com/?zx=bc370098161c1fc

Pretty Souls by Julie Particka- A Paranormal Young Adult Novel

Scribal Love Welcomes Julie Particka

What is the name of your paranormal novel?


Pretty Souls


Who is/are the main character(s)?


Elle, a bitten werewolf, and her foster sister Cass, a half-vampire.


What is it about?


Pretty Souls is the first in the (young adult) Paranormal Response Team series and it focuses on the hunt for a demon spawn who is stealing people's souls. It's kind of Buffy the Vampire Slayer-ish…without the training and back-up. Elle and Cass have to find their way in the supernatural world all on their own.


Is your main character good, evil or torn in between?


Good


What are some of his strengths and weaknesses?


She has increased speed, strength, healing and senses of smell and hearing from her werewolf half. On the flip side, she is very insecure about her appearance and tends to get tunnel-vision, focusing on her prey and ignoring other possibilities around her.


What first attracted you to writing paranormal fiction?


I was really drawn to the mix of reality and fantasy because it's so full of possibility. Plus I love the idea of something "other" living right next door.


Go crazy and tell us about your novel! Include excerpt or blurb if you'd like!


Thanks!


Blurb:


My life followed a simple pattern.
Run to keep my inner wolf asleep. Make sure my blood-sucking foster sister, Cass, feeds. Hunt for supernatural trouble when we should be sleeping. Keep my grades up and my head down.


It was mostly a game.


Until people started wandering around like living zombies. Until people I care about started getting hurt. Until the menace came knocking on my front door.


Game’s over.


Time for the soul-stealer to realize just because he’s hunting something doesn’t make it prey.


Cass and I bite back.

~The Paranormal Response Team~
Saving the World Before Breakfast

EXCERPT


Why couldn’t tonight have just been a normal night? I had homework to do; so did Cass. We might’ve been able to swing giving a wayward vamp a slap on the wrist for getting a little too friendly with a homeless person or something. But we really didn’t have time for anything weird.


Even with six years experience tracking scent trails, I still hadn’t known what to expect at the end of this path. But even my best guess sure as hell wasn’t to find Diego Martinez walking into the automatic doors at Sears. Especially since they’d been locked for hours.


Cass and I watched from the parking lot as Diego rebounded off the glass and stumbled back a few steps before striding up to the door again. “What do you think, Elle? Sleepwalking?” Cass tilted her head from one side to the other.
I pulled my lip between my teeth—thinking once more how I should really stop chewing on it—as Diego bounced against the glass again. “It’d seem like running into the door over and over would kind of disrupt his REM cycle.”


Cass shrugged, the movement shifting her black duster so the wind caught the hem and fanned it out behind her. “Well, why don’t we go see if we can wake him up? Unless that’ll make you get all tongue-tied.”


The breeze worked so much better for her than me. She got the avenging angel billowing coat. I looked like the victim of a tragic wind tunnel accident. I yanked loose strands of hair from my face with a grimace and snapped, “I’ll be fine.” It didn’t help my demeanor at all that when I tugged my hair away, several pieces of fur flew right back into my face. 


Whoever concocted the whole werewolf thing really should have done away with shedding.


“You sure, Sis? Don’t plan on drooling and falling all over yourself?” Cass moved toward Diego without waiting for a reply. What Cassidy wants and all that.


“Yeah. Completely over my Diego issues,” I said to the night air as I jogged to catch up to her.


She reached Diego, grabbed his arm, and whipped him around. “Hey, Diego, old buddy, you have football practice tomorrow. Shouldn’t you be in bed?” With his momentum toward the mall interrupted, Diego tried to walk forward in the new direction. Until he ran into the five-foot high, platinum blonde brick wall. Cass’s body didn’t repel him the way the door had, but she wasn’t letting him leave either.


“Damn it, Diego, just stand still.” I expected him to ignore me, too, but he stopped pushing against Cassidy and did the best impression of a statue I’d ever seen. A really hot statue with deep brown eyes, gently curling chestnut hair, bulging muscles, and....
Cass snapped her fingers in front of my face. “Yep, you’re doing great.” She rolled her eyes and turned back to him.


I snarled and squared my shoulders; my crush on Diego was a thing of the past. Not my fault he was still nice to look at. “His breathing isn’t steady,” I said, after listening for a few seconds. “How’s his heart rate?”


“Too fast for sleeping.” She parked her hands on her hips. “Drugs?”


A thin line of saliva formed at the corner of Diego’s mouth and dripped toward his collar, building a shiny bridge of liquid. He also started bleeding. The impacts with the door had left a small gash on his forehead. My eyes darted to Cass, who glared at him, then back to the blood pooling in the cut.


“No way. Diego wouldn’t do drugs; he’s smarter than that.” There was absolutely no reason at all to worry about the blood. It was just a little. Everything would be fine. I held my breath and watched as it dripped from the cut and ran down his face, mingling with the drool. “He actually looks kind of like a zombie.”


“Hello? Heartbeat and breathing. Definitely not a zombie.” Cass stood on tiptoe and waved her hand in front of his face. Without warning, she stilled and her nostrils flared. “Besides, his pupils are dilated. I vote for drugs.” She dropped to her heels and backed away.


“But I don’t smell anything...off about him.” If he was high, it should have left some sort of scent—in his sweat, his blood, something.”


“Yeah, well your nose isn’t exactly in tiptop shape like this, is it? I told you not to shift back so soon. But no—you see Diego and poof.” She made jazz hands. “Elle is human again.”


“It wasn’t like that.” Actually it was, but not for the reason she thought. We’d reached the end of the trail. There was no reason for me not to shift back.


“Sure it wasn’t.”


I closed my eyes and counted to five—she didn’t deserve the whole ten. “Whatever. I still don’t buy drugs.”


Cass turned on me and got right in my face. Not good, not good at all. “Use a little logic, Elle. Ockham’s Razor says drugs.”


“Who-ha’s what?”


She shook her head. “Ockham’s Razor. It’s a scientific principle that basically says that all things being equal, the simplest answer is usually right. Drug abuser trumps living zombie.” She turned and took a step away.


“Based on that theory, we shouldn’t be what we are either.”


Cass stopped and her shoulders tightened, stretching the coat across her back. When she finally spoke, it was through tightly clenched teeth. “No, we are the simplest explanation for us. We’re just the ones no one wants to believe.” She strode toward the edge of the parking lot.


“Drugs or not, we can’t just leave him here!” She spun around and glared at me with eyes that had grown much darker than their normal cornflower blue. “Fine, then let’s take the stupid, stoner jock home. Maybe in this state you can convince him you’re the love of his life.”


My teeth clamped down on my tongue. She’d avoided showing teeth when she spoke. If I’d had any doubts, that simple act confirmed my suspicions. We were in trouble. “Come on, Diego, let’s get you home.” I tugged on his arm and made sure to keep him downwind from Cassidy as much as I could.

***

Cass didn’t attack Diego on the way to his house, but she never dropped back to walk with us either. I hoped she was just irritated that we didn’t find anything more interesting. Hoped, but doubted it.


We slunk through the shadows behind the Martinez’s house until we had a clear view of their deck—and the sliding door with a bar across it. “Crap.” I dug through Diego’s pockets, searching for keys. Nothing. They probably had an alarm with coded doors.


“We could always break in.” Cass stepped out of the shelter of a towering pine tree and moved toward the door.


I yanked her to a stop. “Are you nuts? I don’t want to have to explain any of this when their security alarm goes off.” I didn’t want Diego’s problems, whatever they were, to get any undue attention either. I might have been over my crush, but I wasn’t a bitch.


“Fine. Then let’s just dump him on the deck and be done with it. He can sleep it off with the mosquitoes until the sprinklers wake him up in the morning.” Cass crossed her arms against her tiny frame and tapped her foot. Streetlights reflected off her eyes, making them look as black as oil.


I didn’t have a better plan and unless there was something else waiting for him, Cass posed the biggest threat to Diego. I looked around the yard with its enormous flowerbeds and lush green lawn. A deep inhale told me that a family of deer lurked in the trees nearby, and they were more of a threat to the chrysanthemums and asters than to Diego. 


My sense of smell wasn’t top notch in my present state, but it would have to do.


“Fine. The deck it is.” Cass tried to grab Diego’s other arm, but I brushed her fingers from his leather jacket and pulled rank with a look. “Stay here.”


I tried to lead him quietly up the wooden steps, but in his lumbering state, he tripped and made far more noise than I liked. And then the security lights went on. I swear this house is out to get me.


Luck must have decided to cut me a break though, since his parents didn’t come running outside.


“That doesn’t look very comfortable.” I glanced around at the metal furniture. Very weather-resistant, but not great to sleep on. A storage box next to the door held some thick, flowered cushions that I spread on the glider. Diego sat without resistance when I pushed him. “Look, your parents are probably going to be pissed if these get wet in the morning, but I can’t just—” I bit my lip to stop the babbling nonsense about to spew out of my mouth.


Diego stared at me blankly, and I willed him to say something. Anything. His silence hung heavy in the air.


Heaving a sigh, I started talking again. “Please just stay here. Your parents’ll help you in the morning.” Still no response, not even a blink. “Try to get some rest.” With a gentle nudge from me, he lay down and closed his eyes.


I gave him one last concerned glance before joining Cassidy under the pine tree.
She didn’t even bother trying to hide her toothy grin. “Is he all tucked in now? Snug as a bug in a—”


While she was busy mouthing off, I lunged for one of the fearless rabbits that live in our town. It must have decided we weren’t a threat. It was wrong. With the bunny gripped in my left hand, I drove my right against Cass’s throat, slamming her back against the tree trunk. Pine needles drifted around us as I glared at her and snarled, “Are you a freaking idiot?”


“What the hell? I was just kidding.”


I wished I could believe her, but since she talked with her mouth mostly closed, I couldn’t. Besides, she couldn’t hide her eyes. Stark, inhuman blackness coated her irises. I hated those eyes. Covering the shudder that ran along my spine, I pulled her forward a few inches then slammed her back against the trunk. For a moment, as more pine needles drifted to the ground, the rabbit ceased struggling in my grip. The lack of scratching was an improvement, but I hoped I hadn’t killed it by squeezing too hard.


“I’ll ask you one more time. Are you a freaking idiot?” My voice hissed from between clenched teeth. When Cass didn’t answer that time, I took a different approach. “When was the last time you ate?”


Her lips curved into a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, and she spoke with deliberate slowness. “I ate dinner earlier tonight, Elle. You know that. You were there. Jen made tacos, and Eric told us all about his boring day at work.”


My body trembled, but not with fear. Cass was so far gone she had the nerve to try to play with me. I supposed I had to count myself lucky that was all she was doing. I gritted my teeth and shoved the rabbit at her face. The movement must have made its shock wear off because it began thrashing around again, claws scraping at my forearm. “Eat it.”


Her ebony eyes shifted to the rabbit then back to my face. “I’m not in the mood for rabbit tonight, Elle.” Her fake grin slipped to something more condescending.


The expression came close to making my blood run cold. Not close enough though. I was furious enough to beat her senseless. “Too bad, because I’m beyond caring what you want. You were stupid enough to come out hungry. Patrolling without feeding? I can’t trust you like this, and we aren’t leaving until you eat the rabbit.”


Cass crossed her arms and, leaning her body against the tree like she didn’t have a care in the world, blinked at me. Long and slow.


I tried not to let my human instincts take over, but I felt my heartbeat speed up. The fear almost suffocated me, but I choked it down and shoved every inch of anger into my voice. 


“And really, I don’t care if I have to force you.”
Cassidy gave a tiny harrumph and raised her arm. “Fine. Whatever. Hand over poor, little, innocent Thumper.” My hand still gripping her throat, I slapped the wriggling mass of bunny into her open palm. 


Her eyes narrowed to slits when I didn’t let her go. “Don’t you trust me, Sis?”


Exhausted with her stupid games, I sighed. “Just eat the damn rabbit so we can go home.”
At long last she raised the animal to her face and opened her mouth, revealing canines that had extended to nearly an inch long. Without another word, she plunged her fangs into the bunny’s quivering flesh. I held onto Cass until the sucking noises reached a nice steady rhythm, and the muscles that had locked into place finally loosened. Even though I let her go, her lips stayed glued to the small animal, whose struggles had long since ceased.


The drained body of the rabbit hit the ground with a quiet thump, and Cass raised an embarrassed blue gaze to me. “I’m sorry.”


I simply shook my head—too tired to do anything else. “Don’t you ever do that to me again. Neither of us may be happy with the hand life has dealt us, but whether you like it or not, you have to feed.” I spun around, stalked into the woods, and headed toward home. 


“And I don’t plan on ever being dinner.”


Cass could follow me, or she could sulk until dawn. I didn’t care. I still didn’t think Diego’s problem was drugs, and I just didn’t have the energy to coddle a moping bloodsucker.

Please Welcome S.L. Danielson as She Discusses Her Newest Male/Male Romantic Work "Life After Math"

Scribal Love Welcomes S.L. Danielson

S. L. Danielson is an author of male/male romantic/erotic fiction.  Her newest work Life After Math is available from Silver Publishing.

What is the name of your latest book? 

Life After Math  

And how did you come up with the title?

The 1st book was named Love by the Numbers, and since it’s about a math tutor; it fit the couple and the theme.

What is this book about?

This book is a sequel and follows two college students named Scott and Jared. They are a newly-committed couple who are facing the new challenges that school will bring, such as wanna-be boyfriends, and lost time together.

And what genre is this book in? 

It could be considered YA (Young adult) since they are 18 at the outset, but they finish at age 22; so it is two adults; which makes it applicable to the erotica division.

Who is/are the main characters? The two main characters are Scott Williams and Jared Adamson. 

And why did you choose them? I chose them because they were the main characters from the first book.

What is the coolest or best part about your book?  (Any Favorite scenes, the world-building etc…)

Hmmm…that’s a toughie! Overall, I love the drama, so I love it whenever there’s a twist or turn and a huge fight or a big makeup scene….this book has all of those!

Do you have a favorite character in the book?  If so, why? 

Scott is definitely my favorite. He’s the outcast as he was in the first book, but has fit in a bit more since he began dating Jared. He’s the underdog; and I consider myself to be like he was; shy, unassuming, but dying on the inside for attention.

Is this book part of a series?  

Yes, the 2nd.  

If so? What can we expect in future books?

I have toyed with the thought of doing a third book to cover this duo to the very end. (hint, there might be wedding bells)…or will there?

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

I’d say no; I took my time with it and had it go through betas and got lots of feedback. I’m happy with the finished product.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? 

I learned it was easy to write these two; they are instilled so well in my mind.

Do you have a publisher?  

Yes, Silver. 

And if so, why did you choose them?  

They took me on as one of their first indie self-pubbed authors and listed my books. Now, since they are full-service, I submitted it to them first. I was so thrilled the day they accepted!

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? 

Hmmm…I don’t have a lot of mentors (except for school). I’d say my inspirations come from my good friend Julie, and from my beta readers Yolanda and Linda. They help me pick the story apart and see it from a reader’s perspective. That’s invaluable!

What books are you reading now?  

In the next few days I’ll be starting books submitted for judging in a contest! I’m super excited about being able to be a voice in that process.

What are the current writing projects that you are working on?

Currently, I have One in beta stage, another under consideration, and three more on the fire. I always have something cooking.

Do you write full time? 

No, but I wish I could.

If not, do you hope to do so one day?

Definitely! Dream come true!

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? 

From the time I was a very young girl; I did all kinds of things, but writing is the only thing that ever ‘stuck’. Even my family knew it from the outset. My brother predicted I’d be an author years ago.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Finding the time to do it and the proper inspiration. Right now I live in less than ideal surroundings; and hope to one day have a private, silent office where I can think and create on a whim.

Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time?

Yes…first and foremost, find a good beta reader! This could be a friend, a mentor, someone whom can look at your tale and go through it for inconsistencies, ask questions, point out errors, etc. Not an editor; but better.

Also, be patient!!! I’ve had to learn this the hard way. Waiting for an answer is killer to me; I’ve had to make myself work on or think of other things while waiting.

Also, that publisher you submit to…check them out first! Get recommendations from fellow authors or Preditors and Editors’s site. I got bitten on this one; again, lesson learned. I was lucky to have found and friended Silver’s CEO and with my other publisher was a recommendation from a friend. I’ve had great experiences with both…so it pays to do your research!

Thanks S.L. for Dropping by!

You can find her on the web at:

http://silverpublishing.info

Meet Multipublished Author Leah Leonard As She Discusses Her Some of Her Work including 'Love Letters at Sunset Hill'

Scribal Love Welcomes Leah Leonard. 


She is the author of several Romance, Paranormal Romance Novels and Young Adult Novels.  Her Latest Work 'Love Letters at Sunset Hill' is coming soon from Red Rose Publishing!


www.leahleonard.com 


Hi Leah!  Welcome to Embraced: Scribal Love.  


Leah: Thanks for having me, Clare!  


Clare: When and why did you begin writing? 


Leah: When I was a kid I loved to play imaginary games which I think translated into writing fiction as an adult.  Since I started pursuing this full time four years ago, it’s become more of a compulsion. I HAVE to do it now.  I always heard about artists who are obsessed with painting, or whatever art they create and I used to think how neat it would be to become so passionate about what you’re doing…I’m there now and it feels good.


Clare: When did you first consider yourself a writer? 


Leah: Actually I’ve been writing things most of my life, but I never considered myself to actually BE a writer or never called myself a writer until after I attended my first RWA conference.  Luckily the first year I joined RWA the National Conference was in Dallas near my home.  I will never forget going into the hotel and looking around at all the other ladies who I thought were just like me – all like to sit home in their jammies and make up stuff.  I remember thinking, “These are my people!”  It was quite an experience. I’ve had lots of jobs over the years – too many, perhaps, so to finally feel like I belonged somewhere was awesome


Clare: What inspired you to pen your first novel?


Leah: The very first fiction I ever wrote (but unfortunately tossed away, assuming it was not worthy of publication) was about a friend of mine who died suddenly.  The second novel I wrote was one I dreamed up while on a cruise ship.  The first was inspired by true events, the second was anything but.  Now my books do a little of both.


Clare: Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way? 


Leah:  I’m LOLing as I write this, but my major influence was Danielle Steele.  Ever since childhood, my mom and I devoured her books. I know a lot of folks like to poo poo her stuff, but I loved it, still do.  She knows how to do high drama as well as anyone, I think.  In more recent years, I’ve admired Nora Roberts, for her prolific ability to crank out the books, if nothing else.   My dear friend Vicki Lewis Thompson has also been an inspiration and has given me many words of encouragement through the years, and Jane Porter.  Jane’s book Flirting with Forty was made into a movie starring one of my favorite actresses, Heather Locklear.  That is exciting!
  
Clare: How has your environment/upbringing colored your writing? 


Leah: I’ve penned a couple young adult novels about young girls and Native American tribes which were both directly influenced by my childhood growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  I also wrote a historical western romance called Dead Man’s Diamond for Devine Destinies which is about the 1880’s in Tombstone. I love the west! 


Clare: How much of your work is realistic? 


Leah: LOL Not much at all.  In my romance Kiss at Blarney Castle (Red Rose Publishing), I went to Ireland and visited all the places mentioned, yes, but nothing else in the book actually happened.  In my other book Road to Casablanca (Red Rose Publishing), I did go to Morocco in real life, and yes, there was a film festival which just ended before I arrived, but again, other than that, I made it all up.  Sheik’s Design (Red Rose Publishing) has absolutely no truth to it, nor does the story about the singer and the psychic in my novel Country Gold, although I live in Texas, so needless to say, I’ve seen a few cowboys over the years. :)  


Clare: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? 


Staying focused, not doing more than one at a time and finishing what I start.


Clare: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)? 


For the past ten years, I’ve traveled around the world lecturing about my non-fiction works which are under my real name.  So now as a fiction writer, the book is born from the travel, not the other way around.  Other than writing fiction, travel is my other greatest love so I plan to keep on going.  There’s a lot more of the world I want to see!  


Clare: What is the hardest part of writing for you?


Leah: Two things - Getting started, then finishing.  Once I’m off to a good start, I generally keep going, but there comes a point sometime after the middle where I tend to grow a bit weary.


Clare: How do you get past that?


Leah: I make myself a phony deadline and pretend someone is waiting for the book, whether they are or not.  I do my best to stick to the deadline, which is how I was trained years ago when I used to be in the newspaper business.  It works!


Clare: How long have you been writing? 


Leah: Scary, but over thirty years now.


Clare: How did you deal with rejection letters? 


Leah: With chocolate.  :)   And lots of it….(seriously!) I’m doing better now than when I first started.  I’ve realized writing is a numbers game. If you like what you wrote chances are somebody else will too.  I’ve learned to keep going.


Clare: Tell us about your upcoming projects. What’s got you excited about 2011?


Leah:  Several things.  I have the second installment of my Natalie Locke YA series book called Natalie Locke and the Sundancer coming soon.  This is a YA series about a young girl who is taken in and shown tribal secrets by a Native American tribe.  She owns a rock shop in Albuquerque and has lots of fun adventures.  The first book got really great reviews and my readers are anxiously awaiting part two and beyond.  It’s one of the most enjoyable series I do.  The other one coming out in 2011 is Nascha and the Medicine Man, also a  YA novel, from Parker Publishing.  It’s about a young black girl living in New York City whose mother dies and her grandmother is terminally ill so she is forced to go live out in the boondocks in New Mexico with the father she never knew she had – a Navajo Medicine Man.  I really loved writing that one and can’t wait for my Natalie readers to get ahold of it.


Clare:  How did you wind up writing a book like Nascha?


Leah:  An editor at Parker read Natalie Locke and offered a contract on it, she loved the story so much, but to be a Parker publication, the girl needed to be of mixed race.  I didn’t want to change Natalie’s character to fit because she is so strong, so instead I “met” Nascha, and the rest is history. I plan to make a series out of her too, I love her so much.


Clare: Any other new titles coming this year?


Leah:  Yes!  From Red Rose Publishing, some of my favorites are coming – Love Letters at Sunset Hill and Man of the Year will be out later in 2011.  Not sure of the dates yet though on any of these…


Clare: Love Letters sounds interesting. What’s that about?


Leah:  It’s really romantic! I think readers will find it compelling.  


Here’s a blurb:


Nancy and Bill were high school sweethearts who expected to spend their lives together until 
her family moved away and they thought they would never be together again.  When a chance encounter at a high school reunion brings them back together, they engage in a love affair that threatens to tear her marriage apart until she decides to end things.  Heartbroken Bill suffers a stroke and moves to a remote mountain cabin where he pens love letters to Nancy and still wonders if they will ever be together.  When her husband dies of cancer, Nancy ventures to Sunset Hill to see her one true love.  After all these years, will Bill welcome her with open  arms, or has he moved on?


Clare:  Sounds interesting, Leah.  Thanks for being here today!


Leah: Thanks so much for having me, Clare!  


Clare: Here are some links to Leah’s work:


Natalie Locke and the Shapeshifter
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Natalie+Locke+and+the+SHapeshifter+book+and+kindle&x=11&y=12 


Or check out her many titles at Red Rose Publishing here:


http://redrosepublishing.com/books/index.php?manufacturers_id=170&osCsid=d509c6307788276096549558bac68d7d