Dear readers,
This week we bring to you Miss Leigha Brandt, author of Destruction, published by us. This vibrant girl lives in Nebraska and wrote her book when she was still in high school! So much for dedication! In today’s interview, we try to look into this young girl’s world and and find out what inspired her to venture into writing.
1. To begin with, please tell us a little about yourself.
I am 23 years old. Born and raised in Nebraska. My parents had 3 kids and adopted 12. I’m the baby out of the entire bunch.
2. When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
At a very young age. I can recall writing short poems around the age of 5.
3. You are publishing your book (Destruction) with us. Please tell us about your journey.
Writing is never easy, it takes a lot of dedication and patience. I spent a lot of my social time writing and in the end, I feel like it was worth it. I had to change my book so many times because I would read other books and somehow incorporate love stories and so I won’t put the book away and come back. It was not an easy journey but I’m very pleased with the end result.
4. How long did it take you to complete writing the book?
It took me roughly 2 years to have it finalized, which at first, I beat myself up about it but then I realized the average time is roughly 2 and a half years, including the cover design and editing. I was in the process of graduation and it was never meant to be a book to begin with. So when you guys found me it was 2 chapters in.
5. How did this story first occur to you?
I wrote it as a short story when I was younger. Then I was given a high school project to write 30 pages. I went back and found this story which was called something different back then, and before I knew it I was at 100+ pages before the assignment was due.
6. What is the best thing you like about your book?
My favorite part is the entire book. I’m an artist and have learned to appreciate the entire novel. I couldn’t be more proud of the cover.
7. Did you always want to become a writer?
Yes. Writing has and always will be my passion.
8. How many books have you written so far?
I have written a couple of love stories, some scary etc. I would eventually like to finish those into complete novels.
9. What is your schedule like when you are writing, and what is your writing corner like?
I don’t have a schedule if I have a part to add to a story, I sit and write till I have writer’s block. I write when my mind is free and until guarded. It helps me because when I write I don’t like to be bothered. I have to be by myself with an open mind. I could write from sun up to sun down like it’s nothing. My corner is spacious with everything I need.
10. Who is your favorite writer?
JRR. Tolkien. I guess I could say peter Jackson also inspired me to write. I saw Lord of the Rings at a fairly young age and was hooked. I had already been writing at that age… but that’s when it really took off. I then read The hobbit and in grad school I read through the series. I also got some of the inspiration from the games my brother played when we were younger.
11. How do you develop your plots and characters?
I don’t sit down with charts or anything. I let the story write itself. If a character turns a certain way I let it happen. I never have a end or beginning plot set up. I just let my fingers flow and in the end im blown away. I’ve seen it happen to wear someone will have a blank page with a characters names and they write all of their characters qualities and pros and cons. I’ve never done that. I just know I want a story to have characters and sometimes things change as I go on. Never set limits as to what you expect… always try to surprise yourself.
12. Do you belong to any writers’ group? If so, which one?
No I don’t. The only group I have is the page I created on Facebook for my novel. I run the page Facebook.com/destructionnovel post what I can there to promote my novel. I think Facebook helps with promotion so I stick to that.
13. Of all the characters you have created or encountered, which is your favorite and why?
Aurora Davlin hands down. Because her personality mirrors mine. I see more of myself in her then any other character I’ve ever created. She’s bold, a thrill seeker, fearless, she wants to try new things when it goes against everything else…and when she found a way to be a creature… she became it. I’m one of those people that if I could be an elf or a wizard if science allowed it.. I would sign up instantly. But I can only dream. I also am glued to her personality because even when she was reborn to appear perfect and powerful… she realized that she wasn’t better than anybody else and that she still had all her flaws. So many people want to achieve perfection and think that its done by changing their appearance. what I think my novel teaches is that no matter who you are or who you believe in.. that you were born with all your flaws and imperfections for a reason.. and it’s how things are meant to be. We can’t change it..we can only accept it.
14. Last question before we sign off. WHAT’S NEXT?
Definitely more writing. I would like to find more places to get Destruction into before I take off with other projects. I definitely have more things lined up but I would like to keep promoting Destruction until there’s nothing left to promote..and I think Destruction is just getting started.
