Kathy Leigh’s Gwendolyn’s Fair Baron released last week, and she was kind enough to answer some questions for us.
You can get your copy of this delightful start to a new series HERE!
Did you always know you wanted to be an author? What is the first story you remember writing? How did you get from there to where you are today?
I’ve always loved writing. Starting with poetry when I was around twelve, followed by a Hobbit-esque fantasy that never made it past the outline, then a short teen romance that I don’t think got finished, either. I did write a complete Historical Romance in the style of Barbara Cartland sometime in high school, but it wasn’t until I was in college that I realized I could actually try writing as a career. By then, I was totally obsessed with Historical Romance novels a la Johanna Lindsey, Megan McKinney, Lisa Kleypas, Shannon Drake, etc. I was constantly getting ideas for my own stories and had notebooks full of quick character sketches, or a basic plot idea, or a full scene…
The first novel I started with a serious intention to pursue publishing took seven years to write. And it was awful! But I learned a lot about my level of commitment and what it would take to get a book written. I also learned all about the submission process. And the rejection process. My second book took only about six months to write and earned me my first agent. Third attempt was a misstep I set aside and picked up again a few years later. And the fourth book was eventually published as my debut in 2012. Fourteen years and twenty-some titles later, here I am!
What is the most inspiring place you’ve visited and has it shown up in one of your books?
The absolute most inspiring place I’ve visited is Glencoe in Scotland. I spent a semester in Scotland my sophomore year of college and have taken a couple trips back in the many years since. Scotland as a whole is amazing and wonderful and just the most beautiful and magical place. But there was something undeniably special about Glencoe and the route to the Hidden Valley. The history behind it? The majesty of the landscape? The timelessness and rugged beauty? It’s hard to say.
But it has never made a significant appearance in any of my books. Maybe because I’m afraid I won’t do it justice. As much as I love Scotland, I only have a few stories that travel there. Probably for that same reason. It’s hard to imagine being able to properly describe such a place in common words.
Do you write better in the morning or evening? How do you handle the distractions of working from home, especially if you’re sharing the space with others?
I have to write first thing in the morning. I’ve tried at other times of the day, but it just doesn’t work.
When I first made the decision to take a more consistent and disciplined approach to writing and pursuing publication, I worked a full-time job and had a young child at home while pregnant with my second. I definitely didn’t have the time or energy to write after work when I wanted to spend time with my family. So, I dedicated the earliest hours of the day to writing, waking up around 4am to get a couple hours in before it was time to get the young ones ready for school. This routine continued for so long that even when I finally left the full-time job, my children were older, and I had more time in my day, I couldn’t seem to focus on writing after a certain point in the morning.
It could be because I’d trained myself so well to do that work first thing in the day. But I also believe that, for me, I feel more connected to the creative areas of my brain right after I wake up. I’ve got my coffee, the house is quiet. It’s just me and the world I’m creating. Everything else comes later. Once the day gets into full swing, I find myself too distracted by other needs and responsibilities. Even if I intend to come back to writing later, it rarely happens.
What do you like to read when you’re not reading in your genre? Did you have a favorite book or series when you were growing up?
When I’m not reading Historical Romance, I love to read all kinds of Contemporary Romance; RomCom, Dark, New Adult…as long as its steamy! I also love Romantasy and Urban Paranormal Romance a la Kresley Cole. I’ll also sometimes read Fantasy without a focus on romance and very occasionally general fiction.
Growing up, I adored the Anne of Green Gables series and was compelled to name all the trees and flowering bushes in my yard!
