What would you like to tell readers about yourself?
* To me, there is nothing better in a narrative than perfectly flawed but strong characters and intense romance that is sexy, deep, and sensual. Mm…I liken such stories to a box of Godiva. Decadent and delicious! You can’t stop at just one. In fact, I’m now hard at work on my next novel—A Naked Beauty, the conclusion to Fat Girl.
So, Leigh Carron, what/who inspired you to become a writer?
* The amazing Judy Blume. I can remember reading Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret when I was around 10 and thinking someday I’m going to write a book. I finally did it!
When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
* I wrote many short stories as a teen and young adult, but didn’t have the confidence to do anything with them.
How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
* Fat Girl is my first full-length novel. Getting there was a long, winding road. The characters came to me about 4 years ago. Initially just flirting and teasing. But eventually I stopped playing around and wrote the thing, only to scrap it. I just wasn’t feeling the storyline. So I went back to the drawing board and finished another version. However, I wrote it in the third person narrative. A style I usually enjoy, but something felt as though it were missing. Once again back I went, this time trying it from both Dee and Micah’s first person POVs. And that was it! I heard their voices so clearly, the characters and story felt right.
* That revision took me a year. But after having it professionally edited and proofed, I immediately self-published. There was never a question for me on the publishing aspect. I like to have creative control…control in general. Self-publishing as a newbie was the only way I could get that. Some days it’s tough to balance marketing with writing, but I am learning a ton and love being hands on.
What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
* The best: Write every day. Make your passion a daily habit to keep up the momentum and hone your craft. Not always realistic with life getting in the way, but I try. And finish your book, no matter what.
* The worst: Map out your story in advance and set a schedule. This may be the best advice for some writers, but it doesn’t work for me. I tend to do better with minimum structure. When I attempt to plan out my story or my time, I find my creativity gets stifled and it limits the flow of my writing. That doesn’t mean I don’t set some guidelines to keep on track. I do. My muse and I just don’t adhere to a rigid schedule.
The book you’re promoting, is it a stand-alone story or part of a series?
* Fat Girl is the first book in the Perfectly Imperfect series. I love characters that are beautifully flawed. The little nicks, scuffs, and chips offer dimension. They’re more interesting, more appealing. The imperfections are in fact perfect because they make them who they are.
* Fat Girl is a two-parter that will conclude with A Naked Beauty. Coming soon. To be followed by two other books in the series featuring Dee’s friends, Jordyn and Lexie.
What sparked the idea for the story/series?
* The inspiration for Fat Girl came from my own struggles growing up with body issues and knowing how many other women struggle with the same.
* Dee’s self-confidence and self-worth have been damaged by a number of factors in her life. She often appears to be mired in the past, in her battles with food and her body, but I see her as a fighter. Strong, smart, independent and perfectly imperfect.
* Fat Girl is a sexy romance about the tumultuous and passionate relationship between former lovers, and the family ties that connect them. But it is also the story of a woman’s journey to find what we all want and need, unconditional love and self-acceptance.
*** Now for some fun info… ***
Would you/have you own(ed) a snake or some other exotic pet?
* Sure. Snakes are great, low maintenance pets. They eat and potty once a month. How can you argue with that? Instead I have a high maintenance dog that thinks he’s a human! But he’s lovable. : )
Which do you prefer: rain or sun & warm weather or cold weather?
* In Toronto I experience cold weather about 8 months of the year, so my pick is definitely warm and sunny.
If you could live anywhere in the universe, where would it be and why?
* Planet Peace! Ah…wouldn’t such a place be awesome?
If you were stranded on a desert island and were only allowed to have five modern conveniences with you, what would they be?
* 1. Running water – 2. Laptop – 3. Internet service – 4. Blender (which means I’d also need Daiquiri mix and ice) – 5. Microwave
*** About Leigh Carron’s book… ***
* Micah Peters—the very sexy and now famous man she fled— walks through her office door and sends Dee reeling. His demand that she help a young boy caught in a custody battle will reunite her with the past she left behind.
* Torn between duty and self-preservation, Dee isn’t easy to convince. But when obligation wins, the former lovers get more than they bargained for—a searing passion that burns hotter than ever and startling revelations about what really happened the fateful night she left.
* Will the truth set Dee free to love again? Or will past hurts and lingering insecurities destine her to walk away from her heart again, this time for good?
* Fat Girl is the first book in this provocative two-part series about love and self-acceptance.
* My hand slides up her neck, testing the rapid beat of her pulse.
* “Don’t,” Dee breathes, but the protest sounds as weak as my will to withstand her.
* I lower my head and skim my lips along her bare shoulder. The fragrance of her soft, quivering skin seduces my senses.
* “I’ve never gotten the smell of you out of my head…or the taste of you.”
* Her breath hitches and I pull the sound deep into my mouth. I might regret my weakness later, but the silk of her lips, the sweet flavor I’ve never forgotten, spins my head, and trumps all rational thought or common sense.
* I tug the band from her hair and grab two fistfuls of curls. And Dee’s right with me. No token resistance. No pretense. She gives back, just the way I need it. Hot and mindless. Going up on her toes, she winds her arms around my neck and molds her body to mine. Our tongues collide in a rush of longing. Tasting, tangling.
* No woman has ever filled me so completely, to the exclusion of everything else. In that moment of frenzy, the past, my anger, and her transgressions are all white noise against the clamor of something louder and more powerful roaring in my blood.
* I crush her back into the counter and muscle my thigh between her legs, leaving no doubt as to how badly I want her. Releasing my grip from the twist of curls I cup her unfettered breasts through the thin material and squeeze their ripe fullness. The nipples harden to bullets beneath my palms, and when I whisk my thumbs across the peaks, Dee’s breathy moans drive me full throttle.
***Buy Leigh Carron's book here***
Amazon | Kobo | Smashwords
***Find Leigh Carron here***
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Thank you for joining us here today, Leigh Carron! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.
ANNOUNCEMENT! eigh will be awarding a digital copy of Fat Girl to a randomly drawn commenter at each stop. A Grand Prize of a $50 Visa or Amazon GC, an autographed copy of FAT GIRL and an invitation to discuss the book with the winner via phone or online will be awarded to a randomly winner! All prizes will be awarded via rafflecopter during the tour, so be sure to use the Rafflecopter below. Also, visit the other tour stops (find them here: goddessfishpromotions-nbtm-tour-fat-girl-by-leigh-carron) for a greater chance of winning!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
4 comments:
Thank you for hosting
Thanks, C.R., for hosting and for the great interview questions. It was fun! ~ Leigh
I really enjoyed your interview. I think this is a great series.
Thanks, MomJane, for following the tour and taking time to comment. Great support!! ~ Leigh
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