Interview With Leigh M. Lane, Author of Finding Poe

I am happy to have novelist Leigh M. Lane on the blog today to talk about her release, Finding Poe, which has been receiving rave reviews. She talks to me about her recent release, her writing process, and what motivates her writing. 

Me: Tell us about Finding Poe.

Leigh: Finding Poe is a Gothic horror novel written in the classic vein, inspired by Poe’s best works: Follow the final moments before Edgar Allan Poe's mysterious death, journeying through twisted bits and pieces of his musings, both brilliant and mad, in search of the truth behind his final, unfinished work "The Lighthouse," while unraveling the mystery behind the elusive woman desperately seeking the author for answers behind her husband's haunted death.

Me: What sets your most recent release, Finding Poe, from other books of the same genre?

Leigh: Finding Poe is an original take on Poe’s final days, offering a unique twist on the inspiration behind his greatest works. During my research on Poe, his poems, and short stories, I studied his style in great length, ensuring that the novel not only pays homage to the Master of Gothic Romance, but also effectively emulates the feel and ambiance of his work. Many authors have attempted to complete his unfinished work “The Lighthouse,” but no one has used it as a springboard for an original work about Poe’s death.

Me: How is the book doing so far?

Leigh: As far as sales figures go, Finding Poe has its ups and downs, but I have received nothing but positive feedback from those who have read it. More than one person has written to me to tell me it is my best work to date, hands down, which tells me I’m doing something right….

Me: Any future releases reader should be aware of?

Leigh: I have a short story set for release in an anthology titled A Splintered Mirage, edited by Trent Zelazny, but I do not yet know the release date.

Me: Are you reading anything right now, or have you read anything recently that is worth mentioning?

Leigh: I just finished reading a brilliant literary compilation titled Indiahoma, written by A. Ray Norsworthy. Other works I’ve recently read that are worth mentioning are Jerry Mckinney’s short horror “Patchouli,” Bryan Hall’s Whispers from the Dark, Trent Zelazny’s Destination Unknown, and Zombie Writing, edited by Armand Rosamilia. Among a couple of other books, I just started reading Dana Fredsti’s Plague Town and am thoroughly enjoying it.

Me: Does music inspire or motivate you to write? If so, what kind of music?

Leigh: For me, music often sets the ambiance for inspiration, but I generally do my actual writing in silence.  Among the selections I find most motivating are Oingo Boingo’s Dead Man’s Party album, Björk’s Debut, Dvorák’s “New World Symphony,” and anything by Metallica, Queensryche, Tori Amos, or David Bowie.

Me: Who are some of your favorite authors? Favorite novels?

Leigh: My list of favorite authors is constantly changing, but those who have influenced me the most on the long-term have been H.G. Wells, Kurt Vonnegut, Isaac Asimov, Clive Barker, Edgar Allan Poe, Roald Dahl, and Stephen King. As it stands right now, my favorite novels are Louise Erdrich’s literary drama The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse, Joseph Conrad’s dark satire Heart of Darkness (novella), and Stephen King’s classic horror The Shining.

Me: Are you one of those people who don’t own a TV? Do you have any favorite TV Shows? Favorite movies?

Leigh: I went for many years without a television and was quite content without it, and then my husband and I moved into an apartment that offered free cable. It was all downhill from there. I started watching Animal Planet, documentaries, and true crime shows, but quickly graduated to prime time. Right now, my favorite shows are Being Human, Fringe, and Raising Hope. My all-time favorite movie is Cube. If you haven’t seen it, rent it. It’s brilliant, creepy, and suspenseful all in one amazing, low-budget package.

Me: At what point in your life did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

Leigh: I've felt the drive to write nearly all my life, so it’s only natural I’ve hoped since childhood that I might eventually find the means to survive off my writing. I've held many titles throughout my life, including corporate peon, department manager, collections agent, secretary, and even frozen yogurt server . . . but behind every one of those name tags, polo shirts, and business suits was a writer. I’ve never wanted to be a writer; I’ve always been one.

Me: Tell us about your writing process.

Leigh: Writing a book is, for me, like making a mad dash over a cliff and hoping the drop isn’t too deep. The words come, the images flood my mind, and it is all I can do to record them before the next set rush in to take their place. I generally finish a draft within one to three months, and then spend the next several months editing and revising. I am very fortunate to have a small group of peers, all of whom are well educated, with tons of experience under their belts, who are willing to send edits and suggestions for free (although I do the same for them when they ask it of me). They are all brutally honest, slashing my work with the proverbial red marker when necessary, and I love them all the more for it.

Me: Are the names of the characters in your novels important?

Leigh: That depends on the story. In the case of my corporate dystopia World-Mart, the answer would be a definitive yes. I wrote it in response to my experiences in the corporate workplace, but also in response to the death of Kurt Vonnegut Jr. The novel is my homage to the great authors of past and present, as well as the dystopian genre. Every name in that novel is a reference to an author I respect deeply.

Me: How do you define success as a writer? Have you been successful?

Leigh: That’s a tough question. Although I won’t be fully satisfied until my writing pays all the bills, I do believe success comes in stages. For me, just knowing that people are reading my work is a step in the right direction. Getting good reviews and private emails from readers is huge. I’m nowhere near where I want to be as an author, but I’ve come to find that success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process, one that takes years of perseverance and dedication. Right now, I’m moving through that process, learning as I go and slowly but surely gaining a readership. I’m good with being where I’m at, even though I know I have a long way yet to go.

Me: Do you have words of wisdom about writing that you want to pass on to novelists and writers out there who are starting out?

Leigh: Be patient. Listen to the advice of people who have been doing this longer than you have. Like I said above, this being a writer is a process, and you’re not going to become a bestseller overnight. Find a nice, cozy place to store away your ego and leave it there. Network. Connecting with peers among your genre will not only give you a sense of community, but will help you to find your place among that community. Get another college degree. Don’t think you need it? Refer back to my comment about leaving your ego in a nice, cozy place. There is much to learn, and the cocky, impatient, and willfully ignorant will eventually find themselves left along the wayside.

Me: What should readers walk away from your books knowing? How should they feel?

Leigh: Readers should walk away from my books feeling reflective and haunted. I rarely end my books on a happy note, but I do end them on a provocative one with care and purpose.

Me: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Leigh: I want to thank those who have taken a chance on this no-name writer, especially those who have taken the time to leave reviews—which draw in other readers who might be on the fence. I am very grateful for the readership I currently have. While I would write incessantly even if I had not a reader in the world, you all make it so much more worthwhile. Thank you.

More About the Author:

Bio: Leigh M. Lane lives in the beautiful mountains of Montana, where she writes speculative fiction that spans from sci-fi to horror. All of her works contain a gritty realism that hallmarks her unique voice, which also often has social or political undertones. Her recent full-length releases are Finding Poe, World-Mart and Myths of Gods. Leigh's influences include H.G. Wells, Kurt Vonnegut, Isaac Asimov, Clive Barker, Edgar Allan Poe, Rod Serling, and Stephen King. Leigh also writes erotic horror and space opera for a small press under a different name, with one novel having been featured in the only collection of its kind on the Home Shopping Network.

Links:

Website: http://www.cerebralwriter.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLeighMLane/info

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Leigh-M.-Lane/e/B0055DSE6Y/ref=sr_tc_2_rm?qid=1334013003&sr=1-2-ent

(Likes very much appreciated.)

Finding Poe excerpt: http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/B007M7JWTY/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link



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